Beylik of Tunis

Beylik of Tunis
بايليك تونس (Arabic)
1705–1881
Motto: يا ذا الألطاف الخفية احفظ هذه المملكة التونسية
"Oh God of hidden kindness, save this Kingdom of Tunis"
Anthem: Salam al-Bey (Beylical Anthem)
Kingdom (Beylik) of Tunis in 1707
CapitalTunis
Common languages
Religion
GovernmentConstitutional Monarchy
Bey 
• 1705–1735
Hussein I
• 1859–1881
Muhammad III
Prime Minister 
• 1759–1782
Rejeb Khaznadar
• 1878–1881
Mustapha Ben Ismaïl
LegislatureSupreme Council
Historical eraLate modern period
15 July 1705
12 May 1881
CurrencyRial
Preceded by
Succeeded by
Eyalet of Tunis
French protectorate of Tunisia
Today part ofTunisia

The Beylik of Tunis (Arabic: بايليك تونس) was a largely autonomous beylik of the Ottoman Empire located in present-day Tunisia. It was ruled by the Husainid dynasty from 1705 until the establishment of the French protectorate of Tunisia in 1881. The term beylik refers to the monarch, who was called the Bey of Tunis. Under the protectorate, the institution of the Beylik was retained nominally, with the Husainids remaining as largely symbolic sovereigns.[1][2][3]

The Beys remained faithful to the Sublime Porte, but reigned as monarchs after gradually gaining independence from the Ottoman Empire. Between 1861 and 1864, the Beylik of Tunis became a constitutional monarchy after adopting the first constitution in Africa and the Arab world. The country had its own currency and an independent army, and in 1831 it adopted its flag, which is still in use today.[4]

The institution of the Beylik was finally abolished one year after independence on 25 July 1957 when the republic was declared.

  1. ^ Cooley, Baal, Christ, and Mohammed. Religion and Revolution in North Africa (New York 1965), pp. 193–196.
  2. ^ Richard M. Brace, Morocco Algeria Tunisia (Prentice-Hall 1964), pp. 36–37.
  3. ^ Jamil M. Abun-Nasr, A History of the Maghrib (Cambridge University 1971), pp. 278–282.
  4. ^ Jean Ganiage (1994). "Contemporary history of the Maghreb from 1830 to the present day" (in French). Paris: Fayard.