Ibrahim Bey Al-Qabir Al-Muhammad

Ibrahim Bey Al-Qabir Al-Muhammad (1735-1815), Mameluke ruler of Egypt in 1775-1804. His name of origin was Abram Sinjikashvili, born in Martkopi village in East Georgia. He was captured and sold into bondage in Egypt. For almost 29 years he fought against the Ottoman domination in Egypt. In 1785-87 he headed the rebellion against the Turks and turned to Russia for help but the latter took no notice of his appeal. In 1798-1801 Ibrahim Bey Al-Qabir headed Egyptian people’s battle against the Napoleon’s domination. He greatly contributed to the ousting of French troops from Egypt. In 1798 he was defeated in the battle near Cairo (so called Battle at the Pyramids) and left for Syria. Again, in 1803, he revolted against the Ottoman presence in Egypt. Ibrahim Bey Al-Qabir maintained close links with Georgia; he used to bail out his captured compatriots and send them back to their homeland at their will. In 1778 he sent money to Martkopi village for building a church there. Most of his mamelukes were of Georgia origin, some of them from Martkopi. He exchanged letters with King Erekle II in order to persuade Georgia and Russia in joining forces with Egypt and driving out the Ottomans from Egypt and Georgia. In 1804 the Mamelukes lost the reins of government in Egypt. Ibrahim Bey and his associates, pursued by the new rulers, fled to Sudan. Ibrahim Bey Al-Qabir AlMuhammad died in Dongola, Sudan. His grave was lost during the French occupation.