Al-Mansur al-Husayn II
Encyclopedia
Al-Mansur al-Husayn II was an Imam
of Yemen
who ruled in 1727-1748. He belonged to the Qasimid family, descendants of the Prophet Muhammad, who dominated the Zaidi
imamate
of Yemen in 1597-1962.
. At the end of his father's reign, he entertained contacts with the rebellious tribesmen of Hashid
and Bakil
. However, the rebellion died down and there seem to have been no further consequences for his illoyal conduct. When al-Mutawakkil al-Qasim died some months later, in 1727, al-Husayn went to San'a where, after his father's funeral, he laid claim to the imamate and took the title al-Mansur al-Husayn. He was opposed by another claimant, an-Nasir Muhammad
, who was supported by the Hashid and Bakil, and by the lord of Kawkaban
. Al-Mansur al-Husayn II retained control over San'a but found reason to pay allegiance to an-Nasir Muhammad. Somewhat later, new trouble flared up. Al-Mansur al-Husayn II was successful in routing his opponent's forces and captured the latter's sons. In about 1729 an-Nasir Muhammad appeared at the court of al-Mansur al-Husayn and submitted. That left the Zaidi state in the hands of al-Mansur al-Husayn II.
had hitherto been almost solely produced in Yemen, and the rising prices provided great incomes for the country. However, in 1723 coffee began to be imported to Europe
from Java
, and in the 1740s from the West Indies. The losses of revenue were accompanied by loss of territory. In 1731 the imam's agents in the Aden
area were murdered by a chief in Lahej, Fadl bin Ali al-Abdali. When al-Mansur al-Husayn II sent tribesmen to deal with al-Abdali, he took refuge in Yafa
. There he persuaded the local sultan to help him driving the imam's forces from Aden and Lahej. From this date (or, in another version, from 1728) the South Yemeni Sultanate of Lahej managed its independence from the Zaidi state. Al-Mansur al-Husayn II was also opposed by his brother Ahmad, who governed Ta'izz
and kept the revenues for himself.
traders in Mocha
. The governor in Mocha had the habit of purchasing goods from foreigners and, instead of paying, promise to deduct future duties. When a debt of 82,000 dollars had accumulated, the French East India Company
demanded the governor to pay. As the governor refused, the city was besieged. After a severe reverse, the governor was forced to liquidate the debt. A new traty was signed, where the duties were lowered. The imam was displeased with the conduct of the governor, who was subsequently recalled. The imam died in 1748, and was succeeded by his son al-Mahdi Abbas
.
Imam
An imam is an Islamic leadership position, often the worship leader of a mosque and the Muslim community. Similar to spiritual leaders, the imam is the one who leads Islamic worship services. More often, the community turns to the mosque imam if they have a religious question...
of Yemen
Yemen
The Republic of Yemen , commonly known as Yemen , is a country located in the Middle East, occupying the southwestern to southern end of the Arabian Peninsula. It is bordered by Saudi Arabia to the north, the Red Sea to the west, and Oman to the east....
who ruled in 1727-1748. He belonged to the Qasimid family, descendants of the Prophet Muhammad, who dominated the Zaidi
Zaidiyyah
Zaidiyya, or Zaidism is a Shi'a Muslim school of thought named after Zayd ibn ʻAlī, the grandson of Husayn ibn ʻAlī. Followers of the Zaydi Islamic jurisprudence are called Zaydi Shi'a...
imamate
Imamate
The word Imamate is an Arabic word with an English language suffix meaning leadership. Its use in theology is confined to Islam.-Theological usage:...
of Yemen in 1597-1962.
Accession
Al-Husayn bin al-Qasim was a son of Imam al-Mutawakkil al-QasimAl-Mutawakkil al-Qasim
Al-Mutawakkil al-Qasim was an Imam of Yemen who ruled in 1716–1727. He belonged to the Qasimid family, that was descended from the Prophet Muhammad and dominated the Zaidi imamate of Yemen in 1597–1962.-Usurpation of power:...
. At the end of his father's reign, he entertained contacts with the rebellious tribesmen of Hashid
Hashid
The Hashid tribal federation is the second largest tribal federation in Yemen. Member tribes of the Hashid Confederation are found primarily in the mountains in the North and Northwest of the country. It was headed by Sheikh Abdullah ibn Husayn al-Ahmar until his death on December 29, 2007 and is...
and Bakil
Bakil
The Bakil federation is the largest tribal federation in Yemen. Imam Yahya's campaign to subject the country, and more specifically the tribes, to his control, led him to undertake massive campaigns against their influence and power; in fact, his efforts succeeded in permanently eliminating all but...
. However, the rebellion died down and there seem to have been no further consequences for his illoyal conduct. When al-Mutawakkil al-Qasim died some months later, in 1727, al-Husayn went to San'a where, after his father's funeral, he laid claim to the imamate and took the title al-Mansur al-Husayn. He was opposed by another claimant, an-Nasir Muhammad
An-Nasir Muhammad
An-Nasir Muhammad , was a Yemeni Sayyid who twice claimed the Zaidi imamate of Yemen, in 1723 and 1727-1729....
, who was supported by the Hashid and Bakil, and by the lord of Kawkaban
Kawkaban
Kawkaban is a town midway between Sana'a and Al-Mahweet. It is of particular historical importance for the Zaidiyyah, having been a stronghold for Yemeni kings due to its advantageous position. It is situated atop a plateau at 2750m above sea level. The sole entrance to the town is via a single...
. Al-Mansur al-Husayn II retained control over San'a but found reason to pay allegiance to an-Nasir Muhammad. Somewhat later, new trouble flared up. Al-Mansur al-Husayn II was successful in routing his opponent's forces and captured the latter's sons. In about 1729 an-Nasir Muhammad appeared at the court of al-Mansur al-Husayn and submitted. That left the Zaidi state in the hands of al-Mansur al-Husayn II.
Loss of territory
These days witnessed economic changes detrimental to the power of the Zaidi state. CoffeeCoffee
Coffee is a brewed beverage with a dark,init brooo acidic flavor prepared from the roasted seeds of the coffee plant, colloquially called coffee beans. The beans are found in coffee cherries, which grow on trees cultivated in over 70 countries, primarily in equatorial Latin America, Southeast Asia,...
had hitherto been almost solely produced in Yemen, and the rising prices provided great incomes for the country. However, in 1723 coffee began to be imported to Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
from Java
Java
Java is an island of Indonesia. With a population of 135 million , it is the world's most populous island, and one of the most densely populated regions in the world. It is home to 60% of Indonesia's population. The Indonesian capital city, Jakarta, is in west Java...
, and in the 1740s from the West Indies. The losses of revenue were accompanied by loss of territory. In 1731 the imam's agents in the Aden
Aden
Aden is a seaport city in Yemen, located by the eastern approach to the Red Sea , some 170 kilometres east of Bab-el-Mandeb. Its population is approximately 800,000. Aden's ancient, natural harbour lies in the crater of an extinct volcano which now forms a peninsula, joined to the mainland by a...
area were murdered by a chief in Lahej, Fadl bin Ali al-Abdali. When al-Mansur al-Husayn II sent tribesmen to deal with al-Abdali, he took refuge in Yafa
Yafa
Yafa is a state in southern Yemen. Situated northeast of the city of Aden, it is composed of Upper Yafa and Lower Yafa....
. There he persuaded the local sultan to help him driving the imam's forces from Aden and Lahej. From this date (or, in another version, from 1728) the South Yemeni Sultanate of Lahej managed its independence from the Zaidi state. Al-Mansur al-Husayn II was also opposed by his brother Ahmad, who governed Ta'izz
Ta'izz
Ta'izz , or Taiz, is a city in the Yemeni Highlands, near the famous Mocha port on the Red Sea, lying at an elevation of about 1,400 metres above sea level. It is the capital of Ta'izz Governorate...
and kept the revenues for himself.
Trouble with the French
In 1738 a serious crisis occurred in the relations between the Zaidi government and the FrenchFrance
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
traders in Mocha
Mocha, Yemen
Mocha or Mokha is a port city on the Red Sea coast of Yemen. Until it was eclipsed in the 19th century by Aden and Hodeida, Mocha was the principal port for Yemen's capital Sana'a.-Overview:...
. The governor in Mocha had the habit of purchasing goods from foreigners and, instead of paying, promise to deduct future duties. When a debt of 82,000 dollars had accumulated, the French East India Company
French East India Company
The French East India Company was a commercial enterprise, founded in 1664 to compete with the British and Dutch East India companies in colonial India....
demanded the governor to pay. As the governor refused, the city was besieged. After a severe reverse, the governor was forced to liquidate the debt. A new traty was signed, where the duties were lowered. The imam was displeased with the conduct of the governor, who was subsequently recalled. The imam died in 1748, and was succeeded by his son al-Mahdi Abbas
Al-Mahdi Abbas
Al-Mahdi Abbas was an Imam of Yemen who ruled in 1748–1775. He belonged to the Qasimid family, descended from the Prophet Muhammad, which dominated the Zaidi imamate of Yemen in 1597–1962.-Ascension and character:...
.