Barbar was originally a peasant from
al-Qalamoun, in the
Koura District. At the beginning of his career he was in the service of Emir Hasan Shihab (the brother of Emir
Bashir Shihab II). By virtue of his acumen, bravery, skill and energy, according to historian
Mikhail Mishaqa, It is said that he was the chief antagonist of Emir Bashir Shihab II around
Abdullah Pasha al-Azm (Wali of
Damascus). His principal enemy was the semi-autonomous Alawite sheikh of
Safita, Saqr al-Mahfuz. In 1816, Barbar built the
fortress of Iaal. That same year, soldiers serving him ravaged a number of
Ismaili Shia villages in the
Nusayriyya Mountains, which proved disastrous for the Ismailis. This included the final destruction of the
Al-Kahf Castle. Between 1820 and 1825, an Ottoman
imperial decree went forth, ordering for Barbar's execution. He came to the
Mount Lebanon Emirate, seeking asylum with Emir Bashir, who appointed a residence for him and his people in the village of
Shwayfat (
Aley District), until he could obtain a pardon through the offices of the governor of Egypt,
Muhammad Ali (with whom Emir Bashir was allied). A friendship thus was formed between the former enemies. In October, 1833, Barbar was dismissed from office and arrested by the new Egyptian authorities. Muhammad Ali of Egypt was now in control, as opposed to the previous Ottomans. Barbar was arrested for his levying the ‘awayid, a tax levied to support the officeholders from his subjects, which was prohibited by the new Egyptian authorities. Barbar died April 28, 1835, after Ali Basha Al Asaad killed him and took his place to rule. Some of his modern descendants now live in Tripoli and
Iaal, Lebanon. ==See also==