Al-Muqtafi
Abbasid Caliph in Baghdad
1096 CE to 1160 CE
Al-Muqtafi (1096 – 12 March 1160) (is the Abbasid Caliph in Baghdad from 1136 to 1160.
The continued disunion and contests between Seljuk Turks afford al-Muqtafi opportunity of not only maintaining his authority in Baghdad, but also extending it throughout Iraq.
World
The Great Crossroads
View →Related Events
Showing 2 events out of 2 total
Al-Mustarshid had been succeeded by his son Al-Rashid.
Like his father, ar-Rashid makes another failed attempt at independence from the Seljuq Turks.
To avenge his father's death, he insults Sultan Mas'ud's envoy, who comes to demand a heavy largess, incites the mob to plunder his palace, and then, supported by Zengi, who is equally hostile to the Sultan because of the murder of Dubeis, sets up a rival Sultan.
Mas'ud hastens to the rebellious capital and lays siege to it.
Baghdad, well defended by the river and its canals, resists the attack; but in the end, the Caliph and Zengi, hopeless of success, escape to Mosul.
The Sultan's power restored, a council is held, the Caliph deposed, and his uncle, Al-Muqtafi, appointed as the new Caliph.
Ar-Rashid flees to Isfahan, where he will be killed by Hashshashins in 1138.
Caliph Al-Muqtafi has been able to defend the 'Abbasid capital from various attacks, but he is ill-advised enough to support the rebellion of a son of the Seljuq Sultan of Hamadan, who in response marches against Baghdad and forces the Caliph to take refuge in the eastern quarter, initiating the Seljuq siege of Baghdad.
From January 12 to March 16, 1157, Al-Muqtafi successfully defends Baghdad against the coalition forces of Sultan Muhammad of Hamadan, and Atabeg Qutb-adin of Mosul.