Hafsid dynasty
Tunisia, 1229–1574. Draft, not yet reviewed
The Hafsid dynasty was a Sunni Muslim dynasty of Berber descent that ruled Ifriqiya (modern day Tunisia, western Libya, and eastern Algeria) from 1229 to 1574. The dynasty was founded by Abu Zakariya Yahya, who was initially appointed governor of the region by the Almohad caliph before declaring his independence. Under the reigns of Abu Zakariya and his successor, al-Mustansir, the Hafsids consolidated and expanded their power, with Tunis as their capital. During the 16th century, as the Ottoman Empire encroached on the region, the Hafsids were propped up by Spain until the final Ottoman conquest of Tunis in 1574 put an end to their reign.
Seat of power: Tunis
Rulers
Mulay Hassan
caliph, 1526–1543
He was the Hafsid caliph of Tunis from 1526 to 1543. As soon as he assumed power, he had most of his brothers and other family members executed.
Portrait of Mulay Hassan: Unknown authorUnknown author, Public domain, file
Culture
- The Hafsid period in Ifriqiya was also marked by important cultural and intellectual activity, encouraged in part by Abu Zakariya Yahya's decision to welcome Andalusi migrants and refugees.
- The medieval historian, Ibn Khaldun, was born in Tunis during this time.
- Hafsid architectural patronage included, among other things, the first madrasas in the Maghreb.
Picture
The Medina of Tunis has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1979 and contains some 700 monuments.
Image: IssamBarhoumi, CC BY-SA 3.0, file
Sources
Text adapted from the Wikipedia articles listed as sources, CC BY-SA 4.0.