Entry of the deputy-governor, Emir Sayf al-Din Asandamur al-Yahyaawi
On Monday morning, 11 Sha‘bān of this year, Emir Sayf al-Din Asandamur al-Yahyaawi entered Damascus as deputy-governor on behalf of the Egyptian court. The populace came out to greet him and held an exceptionally grand reception. I myself saw him dismount to kiss the threshold, supported at the arm by Emir Sayf al-Din Baydamur, who had been Lord Chamberlain and had now been designated deputy-governor of guarded Aleppo. He faced the qiblah and prostrated himself there; sumptuous carpets and an imposing cushion had been spread for the occasion. He then remounted—still assisted by Baydamur—and proceeded to the ceremonial procession. After the formal mounting he returned to the Dār al-Saʿādah, in keeping with the custom of the deputies who preceded him.
Late that same day an investiture deed arrived for Emir Sayf al-Din Baydamur (1), confirming his appointment to the deputy-governorship of guarded Aleppo.
Late Tuesday afternoon a courier bearing good news arrived; in his hand was a noble decree exiling Qāḍī Bahāʾ al-Din Abū l-Baqāʾ, together with his sons and household, to Tripoli without any post or stipend (2). This weighed heavily on him, on his family, and on all connected to him, and many people were grieved on his account. He set out on Friday night, having been allowed to appoint a deputy for his jurisdictions, and he named his eldest son, ʿIzz al-Din, to act in his stead.
During Shawwāl it became widely rumored that Emir Sayf al-Din Manjak, formerly deputy-governor of Syria, had fled and that no trace of him could be found. About this time it was reported that he had been seized in the town of Ḥarrān, in the province of Mardin, disguised as a pauper; that he was being held under guard; and that the sultan had issued instructions concerning him. Many were astonished, yet no firm proof emerged. Those who had seen the man merely supposed he was Manjak, whereas he turned out to be an indigent dervish who happened to resemble him in certain features.
In Dhū l-Qaʿdah word spread that Emir ʿIzz al-Din Fayyāḍ ibn Muhannā, chieftain of the Arabs, had renounced obedience to the sultan and set out for Iraq. Royal decrees were therefore sent to the Damascene troops stationed in the region of al-Raḥbah—four commanders in charge of four thousand men—as well as to the army of Aleppo and others, ordering them to pursue him and bring him before the sultan. They spared no effort in doing so, yet they were unable to overtake him or to venture after him into the open deserts. Matters slipped beyond their grasp; he reached the land of Iraq, the cordon tightened, and further pursuit became impossible.