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Gawhar Al-Siqilli

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Gawhar the Sicilian (born c. 928-930, d. 992) (Arabic: جوهر الصقلي) also called al-Rumi (the Roman) main transliteration: Gawhar as-Siqilli al-Rumi was the most important military leader in the Fatimid history. He founded the city of Cairo and the great al-Azhar mosque.

Biography

Gawhar was born c. 928-930, a Mamluk of Croatian origin. His family originated from the Pagania an independent province in ancient Croatia kingdom. He mastered his military skills fighting Croatian's worst enemy -Venice on both land and sea. He was captured during one maritime battle in the Adriatic Sea, and brought to slavery to Sicily slave colony in Syracuse, by Norman slave traders, who at that time ruled southern Italy and Sicily and who will later form new empire (see:Norman conquest of southern Italy)- which replaced Emirate of Sicily by a new Norman Empire, since the Emirs of Catania and Siracusa asked for a Norman invasion (hence the epithet الصقلي = the Sicilian). Later on, that very Norman slave traders, sold him to present day Tunisia, where at that time a glorious Fatimid Empire was in power North Africa. He was sent to the Caliph Ismail al-Mansur on account of his intelligence and bravery. Under his son al-Muizz (953-975) he gained his freedom and became his personal secretary. Soon he was Vizir and the highest-ranking military commander of the Fatimids. In this role he resumed the expansion of the Fatimids and, together with the Zirids, conquered Fez in Northern Morocco, and pushed towards the Atlantic. Only the strongholds of Ceuta and Tangier could be retained by the Umayyads of Córdoba.

After the Western borders had been secured, Gawhar as-Siqilli pushed towards Egypt and occupied the land around the Nile from the Ikhshidids after a siege at Giza. The conquest was prepared by a treaty with the Vizir of the Ikhshidids (by which Sunnis would be guaranteed freedom of religion), so the Fatimids encountered little resistance. Afterwards Gawhar ruled Egypt until 972 as viceroy.

In this capacity he founded the city of Cairo (Al-Qahira) on 969 at Fostat, to serve as the new residence of the Fatimid Caliphs, and with his very sword he has drown a cross where the al-Azhar mosque later on will be built on his orders in 970. Although Palestine was occupied after the conquest of Egypt, Syria could not be overcome, following a defeat at the hands of the Carmathians at Damascus. However, when the Carmatians overran Egypt, Gawhar was able to defeat them north of Cairo on the 22nd December 970, although the struggle continued until 974. To secure the southern border of Egypt a legation was sent to the Christian land of Nubia.

After the establishment of the residence at Cairo, Gawhar fell into disfavour with al-Muizz. Under his successor al-Aziz (975-996) however, in whose accession to the throne Gawhar played an important role, he was rehabilitated. He was regent again until 979, but was finally stripped of power after a campaign against Syria was once again defeated near Damascus.

His original Croatian name was lost, as he himself, during his lifetime, embraced his new religion and new life as a definitive destiny. He was also known as Al Qaid Khaled Abdul Jawhar (Gawhar) as-Siqilly (El Siqilli). Gawhar died on 1st February 992.

Notes

References

  • S. H. Prince Aly, S. Khan Colony, Religious Night School, The Great Ismaili Heroes: Contains the Life Sketches and the Works of Thirty Great Ismaili Figures, University of Michigan

External links



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