As-Salih Ismail Becomes Mamluk Sultan

Timeline

1. 1335–1341Cairo · EgyptIsmail grew up in Cairo as a son of an-Nasir Muhammad; in the later 1330s he gradually drew the attention of Mamluk factions among the princes, becoming one possible successor after his father's death.
2. 1342Cairo · EgyptIn June 1342, Mamluk factions dissatisfied with Ahmad's rule outside the palace and his purging of political enemies staged a coup, deposing Ahmad and raising Ismail as sultan, marking a new phase in the Qalawunid succession crisis.
3. 1342–1345Cairo · EgyptIsmail reigned about three years, more stably than his predecessor Ahmad, maintaining basic order in Egypt and Syria. After his death in 1345 his brother Sha'ban succeeded him, and the succession crisis continued among the princes and Mamluk factions.