Tulunid

a dynasty in Egypt from 868 to 905. The dynasty was founded by Ahmad ibn-Tulun (ruled 868–84), who had been sent by the Abbasids to serve as vicegerent in Egypt. Under the Tulunids, Egypt became virtually independent of the Abbasids, and in 878 it subjugated Syria. A certain reduction in the tax burden under the Tulunids fostered an upsurge in the economy. The city of al-Katai, near al-Fustat (Old Cairo), became the official residence of the dynasty. The Tulunids were defeated by the Karmathians in 903 and by the Abbasids in 905.