The Determining Role of the Zāhiriyya Faction in the Second Reign of al-Nāṣir Faraj

This paper examines the complex political and military dynamics during the second reign of al-Nasir Faraj (1405–1412) focusing on the transformation of central authority, the evolving function of the caliphate, and the role of elite military groups. While considerable scholarship exists on the general instability of the Mamlūk state in this period, there remains a significant gap in the literature concerning the specific means through which Faraj attempted to consolidate his power. This paper addresses that gap by investigating the decisive role played by the mamlūks of his father, Barqūq, in the internal political landscape of Egypt. The research reveals that, although factionalism had characterized Faraj’s first reign, his second reign marked a transition toward a more centralized patronage system in Egypt. However, this shift was not replicated in Syria, where competing regents continued to struggle for dominance. The failure to establish stable control in Syria led to continued fragmentation and the eventual formation of an alliance against Faraj by powerful amirs such as al-Shaykh al-Maḥmūdī and Nawrūz. Their opposition was legitimized through the symbolic authority of the caliph, highlighting how religious legitimacy was strategically employed to challenge central rule. Utilizing a historical-analytical method based on contemporary chronicles, the paper argues that Faraj’s harsh policies, internal military realignments, and the growing autonomy of regional powers collectively precipitated a breakdown in Mamlūk central authority. Ultimately, the second reign of al-Nāṣir Faraj emerges as a critical episode that redefined the power structure of the late Mamlūk state and laid the groundwork for its prolonged fragmentation.