Barsbay

Al- Ashraf Sayf al -Din Barsbay (Arabic الأشرف سيف الدين برسباي, DMG al -Ashraf Sayf al -Din Barsbay; * 1369, † June 7, 1438 ) was Sultan of the Mamluks in Egypt from 1422 to 1438.

Barsbay had under his predecessor, Sultan Muhammad ibn Tatar (1421-1422) held the regency. After direct transfer of sovereignty, he pushed through a strong government without being able to prevent the exploitation of the country by the emirs of the Mamluks.

First, by increasing taxes and tariffs tries to consolidate the public finances to cover the high costs of maintaining the Mamlukenheeres can. In addition, trade monopolies for sugar and spices were introduced. An attempt to oust the Italian gold currencies through its own coinage from the Egyptian economy, led to a disruption of the financial system. Although succeeded by his Barsbay measures to consolidate public finances, but it was long-distance trade, on which depended the Egyptian economy, significantly damaged. These interventions in the spice trade is likely in the period following the desire of Europeans to find a sea route to India, have significantly boosted.

Despite the failed economic policies Barsbay get important foreign policy successes than him in 1426 succeeded the subjugation of Cyprus. The conquest was necessary to deprive the Christian pirates in the eastern Mediterranean the bases. In addition, the power of the Mamluks in the Hejaz against the Hashemites was to be reinforced. After the death of his son al - Aziz Barsbay Yusuf was used during the reign of Dschaqmaq before the latter from 1438 to 1453 even came to power.