The Emirate of Mount Lebanon is the name given by historians to Mount Lebanon during the second decade of the seventeenth century, in the era of the ninth Sultan of the Ottoman Empire, Sultan Ghazi Selim I the Resolute. They had given it various other names: the Emirate of Chouf, the Emirate of Mount Druze, and the Ma'ani Emirate.

The Emirate was founded in 1516 by Prince Fakhr al-Din al-Ma'ani I. He had adopted Baakline as the capital of his rule and his place of residence, but the scarcity of water there led him to move from it to choose Deir al-Qamar as his residence. Deir al-Qamar remained the capital of the rule until Bashir II al-Shihabi ascended the throne, making Beiteddine the base for his emirate.

 

Fakhr al-Din I

Prince Fakhr al-Din al-Ma'ani I is a Lebanese prince from the Druze Ma'an dynasty, who ruled the Emirate of Chouf from 1516 until 1544.

Fakhr al-Din was born in the town of M'asra in Mount Lebanon in 1483. His father was Othman al-Ma'ani, the Prince of Chouf, and his grandfather was Qorqmaz al-Ma'ani, the Prince of Chouf before him.

After the Battle of Marj Dabiq in 1516, in which Sultan Selim I defeated the Mamluks, the Sultan agreed to grant Fakhr al-Din al-Ma'ani I the title of "Sultan of the Mainland" in exchange for his obedience and loyalty to the Ottoman Empire.

 

Fakhr al-Din al-Ma'ani led the Emirate of Chouf to a period of prosperity and expansion. He built castles and fortresses and worked on developing the economy and trade. He also expanded his influence to include other parts of Mount Lebanon and Syria.

Fakhr al-Din al-Ma'ani died in 1544 and was succeeded by his son, Qorqmaz al-Ma'ani.

 

Achievements of Fakhr al-Din

Fakhr al-Din al-Ma'ani I is considered a prominent figure in Lebanese history. He is seen as one of the most influential princes in Lebanon, and he contributed to the development and prosperity of the country.

Here are the most important works of Fakhr al-Din al-Ma'ani I:

- Led the Emirate of Chouf to a period of prosperity and expansion.

- Built castles and fortresses, and worked to develop the economy and trade.

- Expanded his influence to include other areas of Mount Lebanon and Syria.

- Built the Palace of Fakhr al-Din in M'asra, which is considered one of the most important archaeological landmarks in Lebanon.

Fakhr al-Din al-Ma'ani was an intelligent and wise man, and he knew how to balance his own interests with those of the Ottoman Empire. He was also a man who loved his people and worked to improve their living conditions.

Fakhr al-Din al-Ma'ani I is considered an important historical figure in Lebanon, and he is viewed as one of the most prominent leaders in the country's history.