Memory of the World; 2012 - unesdoc - Unesco

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Deeds of sultans and princes
Inscribed 2005
What is it
Four hundred deeds, on paper and parchment scrolls,
of the princes and sultans who ruled Egypt for more than
500 years from the Fatimid era in the 10th century to the
end of the Mameluke dynasty in 1517.
Why was it inscribed
The deeds in the collection are considered a main source
for the history of Egypt and for its relations with other
countries with which it had trading, cultural, religious
and educational links in the period from AD 970 to 1517.
Where is it
National Library and Archives of Egypt, Cairo, Egypt
The collection is composed of title deeds which record
transactions related to selling, buying, endowing and
proving ownership of property. As a consequence, they
allow an insight into the geography of the region and
town plans in the late-medieval and early-modern period
through various descriptions of streets, shops, mosques,
churches, schools and libraries.
The documents also allow a picture to emerge of society
and its levels, divisions and classes; different occupations
and their requirements; the types of contemporary
industry and the methods of appointing employees,
together with wages and living conditions; trade between
Egypt and other countries; military organization, ranks and
their titles; building industry terms and the prices of land
and real estate.
The information in the deeds falls into several categories.
Those dealing with historic and architectural monuments
contain information on Islamic mosques, Coptic Christian
churches, monasteries and graveyards and Roman
churches, buildings and walls still extant. Other buildings
mentioned in the deeds include schools, hospitals, baths
and public fountains; and military monuments such
as forts, towers, castles and fences. The deeds are a rich
source of detail of Ottoman architecture and ornamental
inscription in their depictions of buildings and building
materials. Detailed descriptions of contemporary coinage,
including weight, shape and value also feature.
Aspects of the deeds that deal with economic matters
include endowments, sales, exchanges and gifts.
Commonly used weights and measures are recorded as are
trade transactions, employees’ wages, the prices of various
items including land and buildings and the amount of
tribute or poll tax that Muslim rulers demanded from their
non-Muslim subjects. The language and terminology in
the documents also allow Islamic scholars to determine
which of the four schools of thought within Islam was
prominent at a particular time.
The deeds are written in dotless Arabic on both sides of
the paper, in various calligraphic styles. They are written
in characteristic legal terminology, recording in detail the
subject of the deed, the eligibility of those involved, all
witnesses, monies due and the date. The longest of the
deeds is 40 metres in length and its width ranges from
34 to 45 centimetres.
Deeds of sultans and princes
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