As-Salih Salih

As-Salih Salah ad-Din Salih ibn Muhammad ibn Qalawun (28 September 1337–1360/61, better known as as-Salih Salih, was the Mamluk sultan in 1351–1354. He was the eighth son of Sultan an-Nasir Muhammad to accede to the sultanate. He was largely a figurehead, with real power held by the senior Mamluk emirs, most prominently Emir Taz an-Nasiri.

Salih
Al-Malik as-Salih
Copper alloy fals of Mamluk sultan as-Salih Salih minted in Aleppo in 1354
Sultan of Egypt
Reign	December 1351 – October 1354
Predecessor	An-Nasir Hasan
Successor	An-Nasir Hasan
Born	28 September 1337
Died	December 1360 (aged 23)
Burial	Cairo
Issue	Muhammad
Names Al-Malik an-Salih Salah ad-Din Salih ibn Muhammad ibn Qalawun
House	Qalawuni
Dynasty	Bahri
Father	An-Nasir Muhammad
Mother	Qutlumalik bint Tankiz
Religion	Islam

Biography

Salih was born on 28 September 1337.^[1] He was the son of Sultan an-Nasir Muhammad (r. 1310–1341) and one of his wives, Qutlumalik, the daughter of Emir Tankiz al-Husami of Damascus (r. 1312–1340).^[2] As sultan, Salih often displayed public affection and respect for his mother.^[3] He took his mother and his wives on a trip to Siryaqus (a resort village north of Cairo), along with several emirs and other officials.^[3] There, he held a royal ceremony in honor of his mother in which he laid out her table and served her food that he personally prepared.^[3] He declared her honorary sultan, accorded her regalia and assigned her servants and slave girls to play the role of her emirs.^[3]

In August 1351, Salih was appointed as sultan in place of his half-brother an-Nasir Hasan.^[4] His installment in the sultanate was a result of a decision by the senior Mamluk emirs, namely Taz and Baybugha in response to an-Nasir Hasan's move to assert real control over the state.^[4] At the onset of Salih's reign, emirs Shaykhu and Manjak (com) (Baybugha's brother) were released.^[5] In effect, Emir Taz was the ruler of the sultanate and Salih was a figurehead sultan.^[4] However, Salih did assert his authority when Emir Baybugha launched a rebellion in Syria in 1352.^[5] Salih led his army to Damascus and confronted the rebels.^[5] Baybugha and the nuwwab (governors, sing. na'ib) of Safad, Hama and Tripoli were ultimately imprisoned, and Byabugha died while incarcerated in Aleppo later that year.^[5]

Emir Shaykhu fell out with Salih and at the same time conspired with Emir Sirghitmish to oust Emir Taz from power.^[5] In October 1354, the dissident emirs toppled Salih and restored an-Nasir Hasan to power, while sending Taz to Aleppo to serve as that province's na'ib (effectively exiling him).^[5] Salih died in December 1360 at the age of 24.^[1] He was buried in the mausoleum of his paternal grandmother, Umm Salih (wife of Qalawun) in Cairo.^[1] He was survived by his son, Muhammad.^[1]

References

1. Bauden, Frédéric. "The Qalawunids: A Pedigree" (PDF). University of Chicago. Retrieved 2016-02-25.
2. Bauden 2009, p. 62.
3. Levanoni 1995, p. 186.
4. Al-Harithy 1996, p. 70.
5. Al-Harithy 1996, p. 78.

Bibliography

• Bauden, Frédéric (2009). "The Sons of al-Nāṣir Muḥammad and the Politics of Puppets: Where Did It All Start?" (PDF). Mamluk Studies Review. 13 (1). Middle East Documentation Center, The University of Chicago.
• Al-Harithy, Howyda N. (1996). "The Complex of Sultan Hasan in Cairo: Reading Between the Lines". In Gibb, H.A.R.; E. van Donzel; P.J. Bearman; J. van Lent (eds.). The Encyclopaedia of Islam. BRILL. ISBN 9789004106338.
• Levanoni, Amalia (1995). A Turning Point in Mamluk History: The Third Reign of Al-Nāṣir Muḥammad Ibn Qalāwūn (1310-1341). Brill. ISBN 9789004101821.

Regnal titles
Preceded by An-Nasir Hasan	Mamluk Sultan December 1351 – October 1354	Succeeded by An-Nasir Hasan