Subh al-A'sha by al-Qalqashandi is a manual for chancery clerks completed in 1412 and a vital source of information on Fatimid and Mamluk Egypt which, for the first time, has been translated into English.The text provides valuable insight into the Mamluk and earlier Muslim eras. The selections presented in this volume describe Cairo, Fustat and the Cairo Citadel and give a detailed picture of the Fatimid (AD 969-1172), Ayyubid (AD 1172-1250) and Mamluk (AD 1250-1412) court customs, rituals and protocols, and depict how the Mamluk Sultanate was ruled. It also contains a wealth of details covering the geography, history and state administration systems of medieval Egypt. An introduction preceding the translation contextualizes al-Qalqashandi's role and manu script, as well as introducing the man himself, while detailed notes accompany the translation to explain and elaborate on the content of the material. The volume concludes with an extensive glossary of terms which forms a mini-encyclopaedia of the Fatimid and Mamluk periods. This translation will be a valuable resource for any student of medieval Islamic history.

Table of Contents List of Maps Introduction Part I - The Seats of Government A - The First Seat of Government - Fustat The Neighbourhoods of Fustat The Houses of Fustat The House of the Amir (Dar al-Imara) The Expansion an Decline of Fustat Al-Rawda Island The Establishment of al-Mahrani (Munsha'at al-Mahrani) Al-Habash Pond (Birkat al-Habash) The Mosques of Fustat The Madrasas of Fustat The Khanqas and Ribats of Fustat The Hospital B- The Second Seat of Government - Cairo The Fatimid Palaces The Gates and Walls of Cairo The Neighbourhoods of Cairo The Mosques of Cairo The Madrasas of Cairo The Khanqas and Ribats of Cairo The Five-prayer Mosques The Hospital Construction and Description of Cairo C- The Third Seat of Government - The Citadel D- Al-Qarafa (The Cemetery) Part II - The Regulation of the Kingdom A- The First Status - Rulers Appointed by the Caliphate B- The Second Status -The Fatimids The First Clause - Royal Instruments The Second Clause - The Caliph's Warehouses The Third Clause - The Armies The Fourth Clause - The Holders of Offices Holders of Offices in the Caliph's presence. Holders of the Offices outside of the Caliph's presence. The Fifth Clause - The Appearance of the Caliph Sitting in Audience during Processions Riding Processions The Caliph's Appearance The Sixth Clause - The Fleets, Ruling Subjects, and Persuading Opposers The Seventh Clause - The Running Salaries, Grants and Banquettes The Eighth End - The Vizier's Audiences C- The Third Status - The Ayyubids and Mamluks The First Purpose - The Protocols and Instruments of Royalty The Second Purpose - The Sultan's Warehouses The Third Purpose - The Kingdom's Dignitaries and Holders of Posts Men of the Sword Men of the Pen The Fourth Purpose - The Attire of the Kingdom's Dignitaries The Fifth Purpose - The Sultan's Appearance in Royal Protocol The Sixth Purpose - The Running Salaries The Seventh Purpose - The Special Territories The Eighth Purpose - How News Reaches the Sultan The Ninth Purpose - The Appearance and Regulation of Emirate The Tenth Purpose - The Governors Index Bibliography