Al-Qahira Castle, unique historical site

By: Abdullah Hizam
Translated by: Mahmoud Assamiee

SANA'A, Jan. 04 (Saba)- Al-Qahira Castle, located on the highest
mountain in Taiz city, is a historical site has a history full of
incidents affirm that it has been a battlefield for the rulers who
ruled the city consecutively during the past ages. The castle was a
target for controlling the city.

The castle was immune stronghold for any ruler who had taken over it
as a shelter. The last of these rulers was Imam Ahmad bin Yahya
Hammid Addin when he felt the danger of 1955 movement which targeted
the important sites in the city but could oppressed the movement and
make the castle imprison for hostages who were children of Sheikhs
to insure their loyalty.

Despite lack of references and documents naming and defining the
history of constructing the castle, some historians see that the
castle has been built before the rise of Islam. They cited with the
location of the castle near the many antique sites dating back to
before Islam. Among of these sites is "Aqaqah" city, 5 kilo meter
away of the castle. In the city, many manuscripts dating back to the
ages of Kings of Saba, Hadramout, Zuraidan and King Karb al Water
have been found. The castle also is located on the passages of the
caravans, were coming from Janad, east of Taiz city, to coastal
areas, "Mocha Port".

These people see that the city is located near south-east of the
castle as it is mentioned in the history of Suleihi state. Its
building style is like of the Mareb Dam and Braqish historical city.
According to Yemeni archeologists, the castle has been built by
unique, accurate and strange technical sense.

According to historical book entitled " Taiz City, Green Branch in
the Arab History", the historical construction of the castle dates
back to Sulaihi State between 426- 532 After Hijrah. The book which
was written by previous Taiz Archeological Office's Director
Mohammad al-Mujahed who died recently, Sultan Mohammad Assulaihi is
the ruler who built the castle.

While Sulais were first who built the castl, Taiz City was built
after Shams Addawlah Tworan Shah, Emir of Ayoubi State, arrived at
it in 1173. Taiz city was built by Ayoubis and that was why it was
known "Hibat al-Ayoubieen" Arabic readings of Ayoubis's gift.

Al-Mujahed notes in his book that after Ayoubi State's era, Taiz
city was expanded by Rasulieen or the State of Bani Rasul since
1229. King al-Muzafar took over it to be a capital for his country.
At time pass away, the castle witnessed conflicts of consecutive
states. These states were seeking taking over the castle till Tahiri
State took over it in 1443 after.

In 1515, the Mamlouki campaign attacked Yemen and could entered the
country through Kamaran Island overlooking the Red Sea easily. Taiz
then become the homeland for Mamalik who, after controlling the
castle, practiced corruption.

Sources indicates that rising Emam Sharaf Addin Yahya bin Ahmad had
come to replace the Mamalik but his son al-Mutahar did not took over
Taiz only in 1535.


Naming

People, rulers and elites of intellectuals gave the castle several
names, some of them are common and some others are mentioned in
books of history, such as al-Qala'a al-Hamra'a (Arabic reading of
the red castle). This name is mentioned in the book entitled
"al-Mutaber in Virtues of Jabel Saber". The title reflects its high
status.It is described in " al-Uqood Alluloiah" book as "Taiz
Guarded Fortress".

Al-Mujahed says in his already mentioned book "because the hill
seemed suitable for building immune fortress and there was no known
name for it, it was given a name with beautiful significant "Taiz."
Then this name was given to the city and the governorate. The name
of the castle was exposed to change with coming of any new ruler.
But the name which is remained till now is the " Qale'ah" or the
castle.

Al-Qahirah Castle has witnessed historical incidents such as the
atrocious genocides in 996 after Hijrah. Some of arrested people in
the castle rebelled against Agha, one of the ruling families. The
rebels seized the chance when the ruler of the city Saqr Agha was
celebrating Juma'at Rajab in al-Janad Mosque. (Some Taizi people
used to perform the first Friday prayer of Rajab month in al-Janad
Mosque established by Prophet follower Moath bin Jabal who called
Yemeni people for Islam). The rebels throw the Agha to the castle's
dam and stoned him to death.

Other rebels seized the arms in the castle's stores. When the ruler
was informed about the incident, he returned to the city and
arrested the rebels and tortured them. He reported about the
incident to the great ruler or Wali Hassan Basha who ordered to put
rebels in bags and throw them from the hill of the castle to nearing
place known as Wadi al-Madam or Madam Valley. This place is known
now Ali Baba Graveyard.

Castle's remains

Although hundreds years have been passed since constructing the
castle, there are still remains reflecting the past of this castle.
There is still the fence that contains housing units to servants of
the palace was built there. The thickness of the fence is four
meters. There are also remaining rooms and guarding places in the
corners.

Inside the castle, there is water tank closed from above and widened
in the bottom. The tank is eight meters long, four meters wide and
ten meters deep. Furthermore there are nine ground stores for grains
constructed in excellent engineering way.

The castle has been maintained several times. In Turan Shah Age, a
school had been built near the castle and completed the fences of
it. Al-Muthafar had expanded the castle and made three entrances,
the first was for the inhabitants, the second for guests and the
third led to the open gallery and was assigned for the public.


Ottomans for their part made maintenances in the southern part of
the castle and used substances similar to those the castle
constructed by for keeping its old form. They used stones from the
place itself.

Despite efforts exerted by the General Authority for Antiquities for
maintaining al-Qahira Castle, has become one of Taiz historical
sites, shortage of capabilities is obstacle facing the authority's
efforts for preserving antiques vulnerable to destruction.