Mustafa Agha Barbar (born 1767) was a governor of the Ottoman provinces of Tripoli, Lebanon and Latakia, Syria for the Ottomans. He ruled between 1800–08, 1810–20 and 1821-35.[1]
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The middle word in his name, Agha, is actually a title derived from the Turkish word for "chief, master, or lord." It was a title for a civil or military officer in the Ottoman Empire, and was placed after the name of such military functionaries. Also, his surname, Barbar, may connect him in some way to the Berber ethnic group of north Africa, since the Arabic word for "Berber" is pronounced as "Bar-bar".
Barbar was originally a peasant from Al-Qalamoun,[2][3][4] in the Koura District. At the beginning of his career he was in the service of Emir Hasan (the brother of Emir Bashir Shihab II). By virtue of his acumen, bravery, skill and energy,[2] he attained high office and acquired standing among the viziers and subjects.[5] It is said that he was the chief antagonist of Emir Bashir Shihab II around Abdullah Pasha (the Ottoman Governor of Damascus).[2]
He was appointed governor of Tripoli by the Ottomans in 1798. In the early 19th century, he had extensive restoration work done on the Citadel of Tripoli (castle of Saint Gilles), resulting in its present state. Later on, he endowed large portions of his property in Tripoli to his wives, relatives and slaves (mamluks), shortly after his grip on power was challenged.[1] He also endowed property in Tripoli for the building of a canal and two water fountains, in order to enhance his local image.[1] In 1816, Barbar built the fortress of Iaal.[6] That same year, soldiers serving him ravaged a number of Syrian Ismaili Shia villages, which proved disastrous for the Ismailis of Syria.[7]
Between 1820 and 1825, an Ottoman imperial decree went forth, ordering for Barbar's execution. He came to the Mount Lebanon Governorate, seeking asylum with Emir Bashir, who appointed a residence for him and his people in the village of Shwayfat[8] (Aley District), until he could obtain a pardon through the offices of the governor of Egypt, Muhammad Ali (with whom Emir Bashir was allied). A friendship thus was formed between the former enemies.[9]
In October, 1833, Barbar was dismissed from office and arrested by the new Egyptian authorities. Muhammad Ali of Egypt was now in control, as opposed to the previous Ottomans. Barbar was arrested his levying the ‘awayid, a tax levied to support the officeholders.[10] from his subjects, which was prohibited by the new Egyptian authorities[11]
Barbar died April 28, 1835, possibly due to a heart attack or a similar affliction. He was buried at the Iaal fortress on April 29.
Some of his modern descendants now live in Tripoli and Iaal, Lebanon.