Al-Ashraf Qansuh al-Ghawri

Who was Al-Ashraf Qansuh al-Ghawri?

Al-Ashraf Qansuh al-Ghawri was the second-to-last of the Mamluk Sultans. One of the last of the Burji dynasty, he reigned from 1501 to 1516. On the disappearance of Sultan Al-Adil Sayf ad-Din Tuman bay I, it was not till after some days that the choice of the Emirs and Mamluks fell upon Al-Ashraf Qansuh al-Ghawri. As a Circassian slave, he had served Sultan Al-Ashraf Sayf al-Din Qaitbay, was over forty before he was raised to independence as Emir of ten, and then, was rapidly promoted to command of Tarsus, Aleppo and Malatia, he became Emir of a thousand, Chamberlain of the Court, and chief Vizier. At first he declined the throne, but being pressed by the Emirs, who swore faithful service, he at last consented. He was now 60 years of age; but, still firm and vigorous, soon showed the Emirs that he was not to be overruled by any of them.