HAFSID DYNASTY

also called Banu Hafs, Berber dynasty of the 13th16th century in Ifriqiyah (Tunisia and eastern Algeria), founded by the Almohad governor Abu Zakariyya' Yahya about 1229. In the 20 years of his rule, Abu Zakariyya' kept the various tribal disputes and intrigues under control, ensured Hafsid economic prosperity by trade agreements with Italian, Spanish, and Provenal communities, and expanded his power into northern Morocco and Spain. His son, al-Mustansir (124977), assumed the title of caliph and raised the prestige of the kingdom to its highest point. A period of internal dissension followed al-Mustansir's rule, Hafsid unity being temporarily restored by Abu Hafs (128495), then by Abu Yahya Abu Bakr (131846). Plagued by periodic Marinid invasions, the Hafsid kingdom regained some of the lustre of al-Mustansir's era under Abu al-'Abbas (137094), who managed to pacify the country, though Hafsid pirate activity continued to threaten international relations. Hafsid power retained its vigour under 'Uthman (143588), despite a rebellion (143552), but after his reign dynastic struggles heralded the decline of Hafsid power. The country fell into Arab hands, and Spaniards later established themselves on the coast. Finally a struggle between Spanish and Turkish forces ended with Turkish supremacy and the designation of Tunis as a pasalik (province) in 1574.