The Atabegs of Bury

Rare Islamic coins, the mint of the Burid Atabegs

The Burids: A Turkish dynasty that ruled Damascus from 1103 to 1154 CE. The dynasty's founder, Zahir ad-Din Tughtekin (1103-1128 CE), was a Seljuk soldier in the Levant. In 1095 CE, he was appointed Atabeg of the Levant by the Seljuk prince Duqaq ibn Tutush. From 1103 CE onward, the rule of Damascus became hereditary within his descendants. Four of his sons managed to retain their positions despite challenging circumstances. They had many wars with the Franks “Crusaders” and were able to make peace with them and keep them away from Damascus and its territories. During the reign of their last ruler, Mujir al-Din Abaq, Mu’in al-Din Unur was the regent of the throne and the de facto ruler of Damascus, who was able to maintain a friendly relationship with his neighbors, whether they were Muslims or Crusaders. In 1147, he married his daughter Ismat al-Din Khatun to Nur al-Din Zangi, who helped him in confronting the Second Crusade. He died on August 28, 1149. After that, Nur al-Din Mahmud ibn Zangi was able to depose the last of the Burid princes, Mujir al-Din Abaq, in 1154 AD, and the rule of the Burids ended, and Damascus joined the rule of Nur al-Din Mahmud ibn Zangi.

Burid coins are very rare, and their gold minting was exclusive to Damascus. It was in the Fatimid style but with the Abbasid caliph placed on it, and most of their minting was during the reign of Mujir al-Din Abaq, their last ruler.