Al-Said Barakah

Who was Al-Said Barakah?

Al-Said Barakah was a Mamluk Sultan who ruled from 1277 to 1279 after the death of his father al-Zahir Baibars al-Bunduqdari.

Barakah was born at Cairo. His succession went smoothly, and al-Said set about limiting the power of the amirs from his father's administration. One, his father's viceroy, died under suspicious circumstances. Others were jailed and then released. In their place, al-Said promoted his own mamluks. He also sent Qalawun and Baysari, two of the most powerful amirs, to raid Cilician Armenia and Qal'at al-Rum in 1279, as a way of keeping them busy and away from the seat of power. Each had 10,000 troops. Al-Said's plan was to have both of them arrested on their return, but another amir, Kuvenduk, warned them of the plan, and when they returned, al-Said was forced to abdicate. His seven-year-old brother Sulamish was placed on the throne in his place, under the guardianship of Qalawun, who became the effective sultan.

Exiled to Al Karak fortress, in Jordan, he died there in 1280.