Early Islamic Period
641 AD – 868 ADThe Arab conquest led by Amr ibn al-Aas brought Islam to Egypt. Fustat was founded as the first Islamic capital in Africa. Egypt was ruled by governors appointed by the Caliphs in Medina, Damascus, then Baghdad.
Governors & Caliphs
| Ruler/Figure | Dates | Notes | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amr ibn al-Aas | 641 – 646 AD | Conqueror of Egypt; founded Fustat and the first mosque in Africa. | Read More |
| Abd al-Aziz ibn Marwan | 685 – 705 AD | Umayyad governor; ruled from Helwan. | Read More |
| Al-Mamun (Abbasid) | 832 AD (Visit) | Abbasid Caliph who visited Egypt to quell rebellions. | Read More |
Tulunid & Ikhshidid Dynasties
868 AD – 969 ADThe first independent dynasties to rule Egypt effectively separate from the Abbasid Caliphate, though still nominally acknowledging it. This era saw the construction of the magnificent Ibn Tulun Mosque.
The Tulunids (868–905)
The Fatimid Caliphate
969 AD – 1171 ADA Shia Ismaili caliphate that conquered Egypt and founded the city of Cairo (Al-Qahira) and Al-Azhar University. Under their rule, Cairo became an imperial center rivalling Baghdad.
Fatimid Caliphs
| Caliph | Dates | Notes | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Al-Muizz li-Din Allah | 953 – 975 AD | Conquered Egypt via general Jawhar al-Siqilli; founded Cairo. | Read More |
| Al-Aziz Billah | 975 – 996 AD | Consolidated power in Syria and Palestine. | Read More |
| Al-Hakim bi-Amr Allah | 996 – 1021 AD | Controversial figure; known for eccentric laws and disappearance. | Read More |
| Al-Mustansir Billah | 1036 – 1094 AD | Longest reign; saw the "Great Crisis" (famine). | Read More |
The Ayyubid Dynasty
1171 AD – 1250 ADFounded by Saladin (Salah al-Din), who abolished the Fatimid Caliphate and returned Egypt to Sunni Islam. This era was defined by the Crusades and the building of the Citadel of Cairo.
Ayyubid Sultans
| Sultan | Dates | Notes | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Salah al-Din (Saladin) | 1171 – 1193 AD | Liberated Jerusalem; built the Cairo Citadel. | Read More |
| Al-Adil I | 1200 – 1218 AD | Brother of Saladin; unified the Ayyubid realm. | Read More |
| Al-Kamil | 1218 – 1238 AD | Defeated the Fifth Crusade; met St. Francis of Assisi. | Read More |
| As-Salih Ayyub | 1240 – 1249 AD | Built the Bahriya Mamluk corps; wife Shajar al-Durr ruled after him. | Read More |
The Mamluk Sultanate
1250 AD – 1517 ADA military caste of former slaves who rose to power. They halted the Mongol advance and expelled the Crusaders. Their era left the most impressive Islamic monuments in Cairo.
Bahri Mamluks (1250–1382)
| Sultan | Dates | Notes | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shajar al-Durr | 1250 AD | First female Muslim ruler of Egypt. | Read More |
| Qutuz | 1259 – 1260 AD | Defeated the Mongols at Ain Jalut. | Read More |
| Baibars | 1260 – 1277 AD | Real founder of Mamluk power; expanded empire. | Read More |
| Qalawun | 1279 – 1290 AD | Built famous hospital and complex in Cairo. | Read More |
| Al-Nasir Muhammad | 1310 – 1341 AD | Ruled 3 times; peak of Mamluk civilization. | Read More |
Ottoman Egypt
1517 AD – 1805 ADFollowing the defeat of the Mamluks, Egypt became a province of the Ottoman Empire. Mamluks remained influential as local beys until the rise of Muhammad Ali Pasha.
Ottoman Rule
| Sultan/Event | Dates | Notes | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Selim I | 1517 AD | Conquered Egypt; ended the Mamluk Sultanate. | Read More |
| Ali Bey al-Kabir | 1768 – 1773 AD | Mamluk leader who briefly declared independence. | Read More |
| French Campaign | 1798 – 1801 AD | Napoleon Bonaparte's invasion marked the end of traditional Ottoman/Mamluk rule. | Read More |