Emir Abdelkader

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Shortly after his succession to power, the Desmichels Treaty of 1834 was signed between Abdelkader and the French occupiers. The treaty was composed of two parts; one being the official content consisting of the French conditions, and the second consisting of Abdelkader's demands from the French. The result of this was granting official permission and recognition of Abdelkader's sovereignty over the Oran province, in the northwest of Algeria. This gave Abdelkader a good foundation of expanding his sphere of control, as following this he created his own state in opposition to the French rule. In this new state, Abdelkader was the sole leader and organised an army of around 2,000 men. Whilst in power, Abdelkader made it a goal of his to attempt at resisting French occupation in other provinces, such as Algiers. However, the French showed no desire to back down from this fight. Abdelkader saw these actions as a cause for war. Consequently, in July 1839 he assembled the principal chiefs of all of the ethnic groups in the country and declared a conditional jihad. He toured the country calling for a jihad and advancing the need for preparation for war – commanding money, men and arms. By the end of 1839, Abdelkader had made an official declaration of jihad. A war of eight years followed. Between 1832 and 1839 Abdelkader successfully created a state, which occupied almost two-thirds of the country at its peak, and limited the French occupancy in the three coastal regions which held much importance to both the French and the Algerians.

Reader's Guide

Emir Abdelkader's significance lies in his role as a leader who built a state from the ground up during the French conquest. The Desmichels Treaty of 1834 gave him official recognition over Oran province, which he used as a base to expand his control. By 1839, his state occupied almost two-thirds of Algeria, limiting the French to three coastal regions. His declaration of a conditional jihad in July 1839, followed by a full declaration by the end of that year, led to an eight-year war. His ability to assemble the principal chiefs of all ethnic groups in the country shows his skill in uniting diverse factions against a common enemy. Abdelkader's resistance is a key chapter in the Algerian popular resistance against French invasion, which began with the invasion of Algiers in 1830 and lasted until 1903.

Did You Know?

• Emir Abdelkader coined the nickname Amir al-Mu’minin (Commander of the Believers) during his rise as a figurehead of the resistance.
• The Desmichels Treaty of 1834 granted Abdelkader official recognition of his sovereignty over the Oran province.
• Abdelkader organized an army of around 2,000 men in his state.
• In July 1839, Abdelkader assembled the principal chiefs of all ethnic groups in the country and declared a conditional jihad.
• Between 1832 and 1839, Abdelkader's state occupied almost two-thirds of the country at its peak.