Al-Mustansir II

Al-Mustansir II

The first of the caliphs installed in Cairo by the Mamluk Sultan of Egypt, Baybars
Date of Birth: .
Country: Dive

Content:
  1. Rise to Power
  2. Relationship with Baybars
  3. Expedition to Baghdad
  4. Aftermath

The Caliph al-Mustansir bi'llah: A Puppet Ruler in the Shadow of Mamluk Power

Rise to Power

In 1258, the Mongol sack of Baghdad brought an end to the Abbasid dynasty of caliphs. However, in a bid to legitimize his rule, the ambitious Mamluk sultan Baybars of Egypt sought to install a figurehead caliph in Cairo. In 1261, Ahmed, a presumed descendant of the late caliph al-Zahir, emerged in Damascus and was recognized by the Muslim clergy. He was summoned to Cairo, where he assumed the title al-Mustansir bi'llah.

Relationship with Baybars

Al-Mustansir's authority was strictly symbolic. He served as a religious figurehead, performing rituals and ceremonies at the behest of Sultan Baybars. The sultan, for his part, granted al-Mustansir a generous stipend and bestowed upon him the traditional regalia of an Abbasid caliph. In return, al-Mustansir legitimized Baybars' rule by acknowledging his authority over Muslim territories.

Expedition to Baghdad

Despite his puppet-like status, al-Mustansir harbored ambitions to reclaim Baghdad from the Mongols. Baybars provided him with a substantial army and treasury to prepare for a campaign. However, the expedition met with disaster in 1262 at the Battle of Anbar. The Mongols, led by Kara-Buka and Ali Bahadur, soundly defeated al-Mustansir's forces, sending him fleeing into obscurity.

Aftermath

With al-Mustansir's disappearance, Baybars was free to rule without the burden of a symbolic overlord. The brief reign of al-Mustansir highlighted the precarious position of the caliphate under Mamluk rule. Despite their nominal authority, they remained subservient to the whims of the sultans.

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