Fustat

Fustat

General Information
Name	Fustat
Native Name	الفسطاط
Other Names
Settlement Type	City
Transliteration
Language 1
Type 1
Info 1
Location
Coordinates	30°0 N°31
Map
Population
Total
Density	per km²
Area
Total	km²
Land	km²
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Government
Type
Leader
Time Zone
Standard	UTC
DST	UTC

Fustat (Arabic: الفسطاط‎, al-Fusṭāṭ), also known as Fostat, was the first capital of Egypt under Islamic rule. It was founded in 641 AD by the Muslim general Amr ibn al-As following the Muslim conquest of Egypt. Fustat is located in what is now part of Old Cairo, and it played a significant role in the early Islamic history of Egypt.

History

Fustat was established shortly after the Battle of Heliopolis (640), which marked the Muslim conquest of Egypt. The city was strategically located on the eastern bank of the Nile River, near the Babylon Fortress, which was a key military and administrative center during the Byzantine period.

The founding of Fustat marked the beginning of a new era in Egyptian history, as it became the administrative and military capital of the newly established province of Egypt under the Rashidun Caliphate. The city was designed to serve as a garrison town for the Arab Muslim army, and it quickly grew into a bustling urban center.

Urban Development

Fustat was characterized by its unique urban layout, which included narrow streets and densely packed buildings. The city was divided into several districts, each with its own mosque, market, and residential areas. The most prominent mosque in Fustat was the Mosque of Amr ibn al-As, which was the first mosque built in Egypt and remains one of the oldest mosques in Africa.

The city was also known for its vibrant markets, which attracted traders from across the Islamic world. Fustat became a major center for commerce and trade, dealing in goods such as textiles, spices, and precious metals.

Decline and Legacy

Fustat remained the capital of Egypt until the founding of Cairo by the Fatimid Caliphate in 969 AD. Over time, Fustat was gradually overshadowed by Cairo, which became the new political and cultural center of Egypt.

In 1168, during the Crusades, Fustat was deliberately set on fire by the Fatimid vizier Shawar to prevent it from falling into the hands of the Crusaders. This event marked the beginning of the city's decline, and it was eventually absorbed into the expanding city of Cairo.

Today, the site of Fustat is part of Old Cairo, and it is home to several important historical and archaeological sites, including the Coptic Museum and the Hanging Church.

Cultural and Historical Significance

Fustat played a crucial role in the spread of Islam in Egypt and the development of Islamic culture in the region. It served as a model for other Islamic cities in terms of urban planning and architecture.

The city's markets and trade networks contributed to the economic prosperity of the early Islamic state, and its mosques and educational institutions were centers of learning and religious scholarship.

Also see

• Old Cairo
• Mosque of Amr ibn al-As
• Islamic Cairo
• History of Egypt under Islamic rule
• Fatimid Caliphate