Muqaddam al-Akrad

Muqaddam al-Akrād (Arabic: مقدم الأکراد Muqaddam al-Akrād; lit. 'commander of the Kurds') was a military rank in the Mamluk Sultanate's army, it was given to Kurdish tribal chiefs that served in the rank of the Mamluk army.^[1]

This military position was created by the Mamluk regime to mobilize Kurdish tribes, in conflict with the Mongols.^[2]

Purpose

The Muqaddam al-Akrād were tasked with: gathering scattered Kurdish groups, unite the whole groups that have split, and ensure the disputes amongst them are laid to rest in order to be able to use their violence against the infidels, so that they shall cease oppressing each other and begin beating the heathen.^[2]

The Mamluks created this position which "attempted to reinforce and benefit from the Kurdish assabiyya through the creation of a title denoting leadership over the community."^[1][2]

See also

• Amir al-'arab