An-Nasir Faraj

An-Nasir Faraj, also known as Nasir-ad-Din Faraj, was born in the year 1386 and ascended to the throne of the Mamluk Sultanate at the tender age of thirteen following the unexpected death of his father, Sayf-ad-Din Barquq. His reign, which lasted from 1399 until 1412, was characterized by turmoil and instability, as the kingdom faced numerous challenges including invasions by Timur, which led to the devastating sack of Aleppo and Damascus in the year 1400.

Throughout his rule, Faraj grappled with incessant rebellions in Cairo and ongoing conflicts among the Emirs of Syria. The kingdom was further plagued by famine and disease, which decimated the population by one-third. In September 1405, overwhelmed by conspiracies and threats to his power, Faraj fled his position, temporarily replaced by his brother Izz ad-Din Abd al-Aziz. However, he managed to reclaim his throne later that year with the help of emir Saad al-Din bin Ghurab.

As his reign progressed, Faraj's leadership became increasingly tyrannical, culminating in a final conflict with the Emirs at Baalbek. After suffering defeat in battle, he sought refuge in the Citadel of Damascus. Ultimately, he was unable to escape his fate; on May 23, 1412, he was assassinated in his prison cell by a hired killer. Following his death, the Emirs appointed Caliph Al-Musta'in Billah as a temporary ruler, while Faraj was laid to rest in the Bab al-Faradis cemetery in Damascus.