2020-09-02 Wed

Muhammad Ibn Tughj al Ikhshid also known by the title Al-Ikhshid was the founder of the Sunni Ikhshidid dynasty, a Mamluk dynasty that ruled Egypt from 935 to 969. He was an Abbasid commander and governor who became the autonomous ruler of Egypt and parts of Syria. The dynasty carried the Arabic title "Wali" reflecting their position as governors on behalf of the Abbasids.

Muhammad ibn Tughj was born in Baghdad but grew up in Syria and acquired his first military and administrative experiences at his father's side. His reign marks a rare period of domestic peace, stability, and good government in the annals of early Islamic Egypt. In 938 Caliph al-Radi granted his request for the title of al-Ikhshid, which had been borne by the rulers of his ancestral Farghana Valley. It is by this title that he was known thereafter.

The above-shown Dinar minted in Palestine under al-Ikhshid, 944 CE. From 942 he included his name and title ("Muhammad al-Ikhshid"), alongside that of the caliph in his coinage.

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