Barquq

Al-Malik Az-Zahir Sayf ad-Din Barquq (Arabic: الملك الظاهر سيف الدين برقوق‎) (ruled 1382–1389 and 1390 –1399) was the first Sultan of the Mamluk Burji dynasty.

The name Barquq means "apricot" in Arabic (the English word was derived from the Arabic), and was taken by Barquq on his arrival in Egypt.

Early life

Barquq was of Circassian origin, and was acquired as a slave and became a mamluk in the household of Yalbogha al-`Umari in approximately 1363-64 (or 764 on the Islamic calendar). During the reign of Sultan al-Mansur Ali, when Barquq held considerable influence in the Mamluk state, he had brought his father Anas to Egypt in March 1381. Anas converted to Islam and became the first father of a first-generation mamluk to be mentioned by the Mamluk era sources because of his Muslim faith; the fathers of first generation mamluks were typically non-Muslims. Anas was promoted to the rank of emir of one hundred (the highest Mamluk military rank) and was known for his piety, kindness and charitable acts. He died ten months after his arrival to Egypt.