the birth
& rise of
CAIRO
القاهرة
al-Qahirah
[ ælqa(ː)ˈhera ]
[ ælqa(ː)ˈhera ]
Cairo, the crossroads of the Arab world and western influence. Renowned for its unique history, culture, architecture. A city that has both shaped empires and shaken others. Today we are diving in the memories of what made the capital of Egypt the remarkable heritage it remains today.
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Fustat, the grounds for greatness.
The first city which prepared the ground for Cairo was Fustât. Originally a campsite for the muslims coming from Arabia and using it as a halt and garnison on their conquest of Egypt (641), the city included multiple strategic fortresses, starting with the famous Babylon Fortress.
From there on, the region saw the passing of many dynasties, notably the Umayyads and Abassids, which both settled their capital near -but never in- the walls of the previous dynasty. In 969, it is the Fatimid dynasty that built their own capital into what will become the "Al-Qâhira" ("the Conqueror" in arabic).
From there on, the region saw the passing of many dynasties, notably the Umayyads and Abassids, which both settled their capital near -but never in- the walls of the previous dynasty. In 969, it is the Fatimid dynasty that built their own capital into what will become the "Al-Qâhira" ("the Conqueror" in arabic).
The Fatimids
The Fatimids were a pretty unique empire for Islam. It was the only Shi'a Califate in islamic history, which at the time marked a clear opposition with the Sunni Abbasid Califate -ruled from Bagdad.
The Fatimids originated from Ifriqiya, the current Tunisia. It was ruled from Egypt during more than 100 years, and controlled at its height various areas of the Maghreb, Sicily, up to the Sinaï region. Their spread resulted in a major and most notable West-East arabic conquest, opposed to the traditional East-West focus of Islamic Califates.
From the Ayyubids' legacy
In 1171, the Ayyubids took over Egypt and Cairo, marking the return of Sunnism in the region. This had a profound impact on the city's organisation. It first led to the apparition of many Madrasas, institutions of religious learning, proving the will of the new ruler in Sunni education. Second, its first sultan Salah al-Din (or Saladin) built large walls around the whole city. This was new, as previous dynasties usually built their fortifications around the Prince quarter only, splitting the city into the royal's and the popular's. Saladin's choices of architecture for Al-Qâhira were signs of a coming strong unification and a new prosperity.
The sultan also reformed the way its army was constitued, now sourcing its elite on the mamluks, Turkish and Caucasian slaves who were assigned high-ranking military duties.
But this stability proved short, and internal conflict between Saladin's sons weakened the Sultan's work. A threatening context marked by Crusaders and Mongols invasions of the Levant brought the Califate to an end.
The sultan also reformed the way its army was constitued, now sourcing its elite on the mamluks, Turkish and Caucasian slaves who were assigned high-ranking military duties.
But this stability proved short, and internal conflict between Saladin's sons weakened the Sultan's work. A threatening context marked by Crusaders and Mongols invasions of the Levant brought the Califate to an end.
...to the Mamluks dynasty.
Two times, the mamluks saved Egypt and its capital. In 1249, they stopped the progress of the French Crusaders and defeated them in Damietta, 200km north from Cairo. At their return to the capital, they overthrew the Sultan and set the stage for what will be the first of the 45 Mamluk Sultanates. In 1260, proving their superiority again, they repelled the progression of the Mongols who were, at the time, occupying a large part of the Levant.
The Mamluk era (1250-1517) was truly transformative for Cairo. The Sultans left a rich architectural legacy that is still present throughout the capital today. During more than two centuries, the city flourished as a reference in Islamic scholarship and a crossroads on the spice trade. The Mamluks were prolific builders, leaving prestigious sites, mosques, and buildings sometimes built around caravanserais, as well as a major port for the city: Bulâq.
From that century on, all the most famous European and Arabic explorers kept describing the capital with the same admiration.
The Mamluk era (1250-1517) was truly transformative for Cairo. The Sultans left a rich architectural legacy that is still present throughout the capital today. During more than two centuries, the city flourished as a reference in Islamic scholarship and a crossroads on the spice trade. The Mamluks were prolific builders, leaving prestigious sites, mosques, and buildings sometimes built around caravanserais, as well as a major port for the city: Bulâq.
From that century on, all the most famous European and Arabic explorers kept describing the capital with the same admiration.
1483 - Cairo described by a european explorer
We finally entered this enormous city, the most formidable in the world, and, for two hours, we walked at a brisk pace, insinuating ourselves through the crowds of men strolling in the alleys, in infinite numbers, with candles, lanterns and torches. It was indeed their hour of joy, restoration and relaxation throughout the fast they observed during the day *[2]. [...]
So many lights and candles, so much stamping, it was as if all the joy in the world had met there, and that not in just one place, but in all the alleys. […] The crowd of men was such, there was such a density of people , so many merchants and buyers, that we remained stupid. It is an incredible thing. [...]
So many lights and candles, so much stamping, it was as if all the joy in the world had met there, and that not in just one place, but in all the alleys. […] The crowd of men was such, there was such a density of people , so many merchants and buyers, that we remained stupid. It is an incredible thing. [...]
We then went up the banks of the Nile and came to a large market. An innumerable crowd of men engaged in trade there, near ships loaded on the spot, which huddled closely together. There were indeed there, on the Nile, large and numerous boats loaded with the most diverse goods intended for the use of man, and decorated with paintings, the spurs of their prows raised on the ground. We also saw there a very large number of camels being loaded onto the edge of the river with outrages of water which they then led through the town and spread in the alleys to suppress the dust raised by all the agitation of the men and beasts [3].
- Felix Fabri, a Swiss pilgrim to the Holy Land, passing through the city in 1483.
- Felix Fabri, a Swiss pilgrim to the Holy Land, passing through the city in 1483.
Until the ottomans stepped on the continent.
By the beginning of the 16th century, the Ottomans were already a powerful force in the region. In february of the year 1517, they invaded the country, reaching the capital and plundering heavily from the Mamluks.
Under the control of the Ottomans, Cairo is known to have lost its importance. While the Mamluks maintained themselves as an elite, centers of learning and military power shifted to Istanbul. The ottoman domination in Mediterranean sea led the european to find new trade roads to reach Asia. As a result and for nearly 3 centuries, the city was economically and politically put on the back burner: geared toward the imperial needs, not the egyptian's.
It is observed that the ottomans left somewhat of an architectural legacy. The mosques of Suleyman Pasha or Mahmud Pasha are some of its example, although still influenced by the Mamluks. Indeed, most buildings erected by the Empire were still the result of an Ottoman-Mamluk hybrid style.
While Egypt continued to be a province of the Ottoman Empire until the first World War, the latter was distracted by its wars with European powers, giving the former a chance for more independence throughout the 19 century. This was led by the Albanian Ottoman official Muhammad Ali, who gained the trust of local elites and established himself as an independent ruler in 1805. Muhammad Ali is credited with introducing vast reforms that brought the country to modernization.
After spending nearly half of his reign to eliminate the opposing forces constitued by the Mamluks, he eventually could focus on the future of Egypt. Even though his impact on Cairo footprint remained minor, Muhammad Ali set the stage for modernization and industrialization in the city. A modernization which Ismaïl Pacha is known for bringing to life, at least partially.
Under the control of the Ottomans, Cairo is known to have lost its importance. While the Mamluks maintained themselves as an elite, centers of learning and military power shifted to Istanbul. The ottoman domination in Mediterranean sea led the european to find new trade roads to reach Asia. As a result and for nearly 3 centuries, the city was economically and politically put on the back burner: geared toward the imperial needs, not the egyptian's.
It is observed that the ottomans left somewhat of an architectural legacy. The mosques of Suleyman Pasha or Mahmud Pasha are some of its example, although still influenced by the Mamluks. Indeed, most buildings erected by the Empire were still the result of an Ottoman-Mamluk hybrid style.
While Egypt continued to be a province of the Ottoman Empire until the first World War, the latter was distracted by its wars with European powers, giving the former a chance for more independence throughout the 19 century. This was led by the Albanian Ottoman official Muhammad Ali, who gained the trust of local elites and established himself as an independent ruler in 1805. Muhammad Ali is credited with introducing vast reforms that brought the country to modernization.
After spending nearly half of his reign to eliminate the opposing forces constitued by the Mamluks, he eventually could focus on the future of Egypt. Even though his impact on Cairo footprint remained minor, Muhammad Ali set the stage for modernization and industrialization in the city. A modernization which Ismaïl Pacha is known for bringing to life, at least partially.
Muhammad Ali's vision for Egypt
Muhammad Ali had a plan for the improvement in several fields. He believed in expanding the agriculture for export, introducing industrialization of the agricultural raw materials to become self-sufficient, strengthening the army and building up a navy and a merchant marine as well as manufacturing the military weapons and finally improving the education system. He believed that education was the key to success and would open the future to Egypt.
- Al-Sayyid, 1985
- Al-Sayyid, 1985
The 19th: a shift towards architectural modernity.
Even though his impact on Cairo footprint remained minor, Muhammad Ali set the stage for modernization and industrialization in the city. A modernization which Ismaïl Pacha is known for bringing to life, at least partially.
Khedive Ismail was indeed the first ruler in nine centuries to set a global urban plan for the expansion of Cairo. This was to take shape first with a separate quarter that would accommodate a more modern capital: Downtown Cairo. The quarter would also represent and glorify the country during a visit from most Europeans kings at a very particular occasion: the Suez Canal opening ceremony.
His work was heavily influenced by Baron Haussmann. Having met him personally in Paris, Ismaïl Pacha wanted to bring to Cairo what Hausmann brought to Paris: wide boulevards, grid-planning and architectural geometry that would bring lights and a new flow on Cairo.
But not all his plans came to reality. Egyptians faced a precarious economy and a burden of debt for which the Suez Canal accounted in big parts. Undeniably though, Khedive Ismail left marks of westernization in Cairo. His urban development reforms were to change the landscape of a city that would, still to this day, preserve marks of its islamic and medieval history, yet blending in modernization and western influence.
Khedive Ismail was indeed the first ruler in nine centuries to set a global urban plan for the expansion of Cairo. This was to take shape first with a separate quarter that would accommodate a more modern capital: Downtown Cairo. The quarter would also represent and glorify the country during a visit from most Europeans kings at a very particular occasion: the Suez Canal opening ceremony.
His work was heavily influenced by Baron Haussmann. Having met him personally in Paris, Ismaïl Pacha wanted to bring to Cairo what Hausmann brought to Paris: wide boulevards, grid-planning and architectural geometry that would bring lights and a new flow on Cairo.
But not all his plans came to reality. Egyptians faced a precarious economy and a burden of debt for which the Suez Canal accounted in big parts. Undeniably though, Khedive Ismail left marks of westernization in Cairo. His urban development reforms were to change the landscape of a city that would, still to this day, preserve marks of its islamic and medieval history, yet blending in modernization and western influence.
Cairo, the heritage.
One of the most diverse cities in the region, Cairo remains a cultural and architectural gem. It is actually hard to trace a prevailing architectural style that identifies the city, being a mix of old and new, western and eastern styles and social patterns. What will remain untouched though, is how crucial the "Al-Qâhira" historic scene has been: for its historic combats, its kingdom oppositions and how decisive of a role it played in the prosperity of Islam.
Sources
∙ Histoire de l'Égypte, Bernard Lugan
∙ https://www.lhistoire.fr/le-caire-la-plus-belle-ville-du-monde
∙ https://www.lhistoire.fr/les-mamelouks%C2%A0-une-dynastie-desclaves
∙ https://campuslumieresdislam.fr/assets/media/pdf-v4/loiseau-les-mamelouks.pdf
∙ https://www.laits.utexas.edu/cairo/history/ottoman/ottoman.html
∙ https://www.ijert.org/research/modernization-of-downtown-cairo-IJERTV9IS010184.pdf