ISMA'IL

in full Isma'il Ibn Sharif born 1645/46 died March 1727, Mekns, Mor. second ruler of the 'Alawi dynasty of Morocco; his long reign (16721727) saw the consolidation of 'Alawi power, the development of an effective army trained in European military techniques, and the introduction of French influence in Morocco. Virtually nothing is known about Isma'il's youth. In 1672, with the sudden death of his half brother, Mawlay (Lord) ar-Rashid, founder of the dynasty, Isma'il, then acting viceroy in Fs, immediately seized the treasury and had himself proclaimed ruler. His claim was challenged by three rivalsa brother, a nephew, and al-Khidr Ghilan, a tribal leader of northern Morocco. These rivals were supported by the Ottoman Turks, acting through Algiers, who hoped to weaken the 'Alawis by supporting internal subversion so that they could extend their rule over Morocco. As a result, relations with the Ottoman regent of Algiers were strained throughout Isma'il's reign. The succession war lasted five years. Al-Khidr Ghilan was defeated and killed in September 1673, but Isma'il had greater difficulties with the brother and nephew. He finally included them in the Moroccan power structure by recognizing them as semi-independent governors of important provinces. He completed the internal pacification of Morocco in 1686 with the final defeat and death of his nephew Ahmad ibn Mahraz. In 1673 Isma'il created the 'Abid (Black) al-Bukhari army known colloquially as buakhar and made up of slaves bought from their masters and enlisted into this army together with freeborn blacks. This contingent was provided with women, and the offspring of these unions were entered into special schools and given specialized military training. Toward the end of his reign he had a black army of more than 150,000 men, of whom about 70,000 were kept as a strategic reserve in and around Mekns. His army was equipped with European arms, and his officers learned to combine artillery with infantry effectively. He used these forces against the Ottomans in Algiers in the years 1679, 1682, and 1695/96 in expeditions designed to pacify his frontiers and to punish the regent of Algiers. In the end the Ottomans agreed to respect Moroccan independence. Isma'il's relations with the European powers were much more complex. He hated the Europeans as infidels, yet needed them as suppliers of arms and other finished products. Throughout his reign there was intermittent warfare with the European settlers of the Moroccan seaports: in 1681 he captured al-Ma'murah from the Spanish, and in 1684 he expelled the English from Tangier. In order to challenge Spain for possession of its settlements within Morocco, he became increasingly friendly with Louis XIV of France, the enemy of Spain. France was to reap great commercial benefits from this friendship. French influence became paramount in Morocco; French officers trained Moroccan artillerymen and helped in the building of public works. The palace of Mekns, styled on that of Versailles, was a massive monument to Isma'il's will and determination. Isma'il was frugal in financial matters. He raised the necessary revenues for his army and his public works by holding a monopoly on foreign trade, and he was not above encouraging piracy. He maintained his authority and religious legitimacy by supporting the notion that he was a direct descendant of the prophet Muhammad and, thus, had special spiritual gifts, which entitled him to rule. He demanded not only temporal but also spiritual allegiance and recognition from his people. Isma'il has been criticized for cruelty and capriciousness, but iron rule was necessary for the 'Alawi dynasty to survive. He was credited with having 700 sons and countless daughters. Upon his death, supreme power became vested in his 'Abid troops, who became the arbitrators of the dynastic fortunes. He was succeeded by his son Mawlay Ahmad. Wilfrid Blunt's Black Sunrise: The Life and Times of Mulai Ismail, Emperor of Morocco 16461727 appeared in 1951.