The Principality of Debdou was an autonomous hereditary viceroyalty that existed in eastern Morocco from 1430 to 1563, with its capital at Debdou. It was governed by the Ouartajin, a dynasty of Berber descent, related to the Marinids and Wattasids.[1][2]
History
The Principality of Debdou was first established in 1430 as a governorate of Morocco, then ruled by the Marinids. Debdou served as a march of the Marinid Sultanate against the Abd al-WadidKingdom of Tlemcen.[3]
By the second half of the 15th century, the Ouartajin gained more autonomy towards Fez, as the Marinids lost their prestige and most of their power to the WattasidViziers.[1] The Principality became fully autonomous when Muhammad ibn Ahmed was appointed Viceroy of Debdou by the Wattasid Sultan Muhammad ibn Yahya (r. 1472–1504).[1]
Annexation of the Principality following his death by Abdallah al-Ghalib.
References
^ abcdeMohammed Nehlil, Notice sur les tribus de la région de Debdou, 1911, p.42-43 [1]
^Louis Massignon, Le Maroc dans les premières années du XVIe siècle : Tableau géographique d'après Léon L'Africain, in: Mémoires de la Société Historique Algérienne I, Éd. Adolphe Jourdan, 1906, p.266
