The existing Cairo consists of four older towns; each of which was the capital of Egypt during a specific period of time; reflecting specific political, social and economic conditions in the evolution of the Islamic rule of Egypt. It should be observed that these towns, i.e al-Fustat, al-Askar, al-Qata'ie and Qaheratul-Mou'ez were located between the eastern shore of River Nile and al-Moqattam hills. At the time it was built, the walls of Amr Ibn al-As mosque were immediately adjoining the River while it lies at present more than 500 m faraway.

Al-Fustat, the first oldest Islamic capital of Egypt, was built by Amr Ibn al-As after conquering Egypt in 641 AD (20 AH) and remained the centre of government during the time of the Well-guided Caliphs (the Companions of the Prophet) as well as the Omayad caliphs. With the decline of the Omayad state and rise of Abbasids, Abou Awn abd al-Malek Ben Yazeed, the ruler of Egypt under caliph Abil-Abbas Abdullah as-Saffah, the first Abbasid Caliph built al-Askar town in 751 AD (133 AH) and took it as a capital of his rule.

When Ahmad Ibn Toloun took over as the ruler of Egypt, he built in 870 AD (256 AH) a new capital named al-Qata'ie which was sustained as such all through the eras of Toulons and Ikhsheeds. But under Fatimid era, Jawhar as-Seqelli, the commandor of al-Mou'ez's army built a new capital for Egypt i.e; Qaherat al-Mou'ez in 969 AD (358 AH). Al-Qahera (that came to be known as Cairo), became the capital of the Fatimid state that extended to north Africa. Cairo grew and expanded so much that it became more famous than other Islamic capitals such as Baghdad and Qortuba (Cordova).

 

At the same time, Cairo turned into the capital of the Islamic world and convergence centre of its peoples and the lighthouse of Islamic learning and science. When Salah ad-Din conquered the Fatimid state and built the Ayyubid state, he unified the four towns in 1176 AD (572 AH) into one capital that reflected the prestige and grandeur of his state.
Since then, Cairo has remained the capital of Egypt, extending east and west, even across the Nile. Over years, Cairo has been sprawling in size, thanks to a huge network of bridges that easily connected both sides of the Nile.

Fatimid Cairo
When the Fatimids conquered Egypt, the Muslim Commander Jawhar as-Seqelli laid the foundations of Cairo in November 968 AD to be the capital of Islamic Egypt. The site selected was the same where Memphis, the capital of ancient Egypt, rose. Some researchers described Cairo as "the successor of Memphis". As a new-born town, Cairo was a small entity with a few districts later known as al-Gamalyia, Bab ash-Sh'eria, al-Mosqi, al-Ghouria and Bab al-Khalq. Cairo was built on an area of 340 feddans surrounded by a wall consisting- at first- of 4 gatehouses (babs) which still exist i.e.; Bab an-Nasr and Bab al-Fotouh.

 

At such early time, Cairo was divided into ten areas or major districts, each named after the main road or lane passing through it. These destricts were: Bergwan, Zweila, al-Godaria, al-Omana, ad-Dyalma, ar-Roum, al-Batinia, Qasr as-Shawq, Abeid as-Shera and al-Masameda.

Each district consisted of a mosque, a public bath, and a public drinking fountain as well as street lighting at night. Each has two gates on both ends closed at night thus preventing access to the district by strangers at night. Those caught walking at night without a reasonable excuse were held to account and punished. Life started in the town early at dawn; when markets and shops opened and public drinking fountains stood ready to offer water. Each water fountain was put to the charge of an attendant called "al-Mozamelati", who was required to be healthy, clean and soft-spoken.

Fatimid Fortifications
Gatehouses of Bab an-Nasr, Bab al-Fotouh and Bab Zweila were some of the best, unmatched military fortifications in the Islamic age. The gatehouses that were built in sophisticated construction techniques had aroused the admiration of many European travellers of the 18th Century.
The three gatehouses were built, at the order of Badr al-Gamali, during the reign of caliph al-Muntasir to replace earlier structures during the period (1087-1092 AD). Construction was supervised by 3 brothers who came to Egypt from Athasa or Arfa, Armenia.

Bab an-Nasr:
Built in 1087 AD, Bab an-Nasr consists of two square-shaped towers. On the facade of each tower, a remarkable decoration appears in the form of shields and swords. Between both towers, there rises a very high gate; on top of it there is a latch through which burning substances are poured on he who attempts to break into the gate.

 

At the top, there is a cornice surrounding both towers showing Kufic inscriptions of the name of the gateway and date of construction. The original access door, now walled, lay on the south-eastern corner while the more recent access door might have been opened during the French occupation of Egypt.
The stairway leading to the top of the towers is built with stones in a unique Islamic architectural technique. They lead to towers and rooms that encompass some of the best and most remarkable set of elaboratel stone-built arches.

Bab al-Fotouh
Built in 1089 by Gawhar as-Seqilli, this gateway was located at the head of Bayn as-Sayareg lane. As Badr al-Gamali was renovating the Cairo wall, he built Bab an-Nasr and Bab al-Fotouh at their present locations, linking both with a wall that comprised catwalks, cellars on top and inside the wall and varying arches. This gateway consists of two circular-shaped towers with an entrance in the middle. On the sides of both towers, there are two large windows surrounded with small cylinder-shaped decorations, that later gained fame in decorating arches. On top of the entrance, there are horned-ram statues. This style of Islamic architecture had remained unmatched.

Bab an-Nasr and Bab al-Fotouh are connected in two ways: one above and the other under the wall. It is an arcade flanked on both sides by well-built arched rooms, highly expressive of building techniques for Egyptian fortifications at that time.

Bab Zweila
Bab Zweila was erected by Gawhar as-Seqilli nearly the mosque of Sam Ibn Nuh (Noah) and Sabeel al-Aqqadeen at the head of Harat ar-Roum. It was named after a "Barber tribe" who occupied a suburb called al-Mahdiya. The tribe provided a contingent to Gawhar's army.
The gateway was built at its present location by Badr al-Gamali in 1091AD. Like Bab al-Fotouh, Bab Zweila consists of a 4.82-m-wide gate with two circular facades rising to two thirds of the building height.

 

The remaining third is occupied by a room overlooking the entrance. The gateway entrance leads to a corridor covered with a low dome, rising on triangular-shaped props bearing the upper corridor linking both towers from the rear. Above this corridor, there rises another. On top of both towers' facade, there are three archers' battlements which, though now blocked, can be still seen. Still visible are also the copings of the supporting columns. As King al-Ma'ayyad started to build a mosque next to the gatehouse (1905-1410 AHP) his engineer took advantage of both towers at the gatehouse, demolishing the top parts and building instead two minarets for his mosque.

Bab at-Tawfeeq
The fourth gatehouse of Cairo was unearthed in 1954 AD as Cairo governorate was removing heaps of rubble east the capital in ad-Darrasa so as to provide new housing areas.
Discoveries included a part of Saladin's wall, the rest of Badr al-Gamali's wall 10 metres to the west. A fourth gate was discovered with an arch intact. In the back there was another arch topped by a plaque showing, name of builder, i.e; Badr al-Gamali and construction date i.e; 480 AH. Between both arches, there was an opening through which burning substances like boiled tar and pitch were poured on enemies, as was the case with the other three gatehouses.

Stores and Houses
At the beginning of the 11th Century, historians estimated number of stores in Cairo at 20,000, all owned by the state. Other buildings such as elderly homes and public baths that were countless in number were exclusively owned by the caliph. Houses were generally clean and tidy. Occupants were allowed to make demolitions or buildings required for their needs, without molesting neighbours.

Economic Activity
During late 10th Century AD and early 11th Century AD, Cairo witnessed hectic economic activity in spite of certain crises and famines due to low flood levels. Several industries flourished including textiles, embroidered clothes, carpets and curtains.
Moreover, wood industry such as windows, doors and furniture prospered. Besides, paper industry was of great significance due to increasing demand for book manuscript-making and book-binding. Glass production also developed, especially stained glass which was used in making niches Mishakas, lanterns and windows, etc. Pastry making also flourished in line with cane sugar industry.

Due to the prevailing boom in Cairo at that time and its increasing population, internal and external trade also flourished. Due to Cairo's central location, it was the linking point between Upper and Lower Egypt. Farm products were carried to Cairo both on board of river boats or overland. As for external trade, Cairo was a trading center forOriental commodities especially spices and incense carried through the Red Sea then across the Eastern Desert to the River Nile. From Cairo goods were carried to Damietta and Alexandria then to west Europe.

Cairo,s markets (Souqs) were physically arranged by commodity, such as armoury, candlemakers,etc. Of all Souqs, Bayn al Qasrayn was then considered one of the greatest in the world.
For the convenience of merchants, hotels, storehouses, inns and other facilities were built. Hotels were mostly dedicated to European merchants so as to provide them with secure residence similar and similar services available abroad. Storehouses, mostly dedicated to Eastern merchants, were equipped with basic utilities that guarantee a comfortable life; inns were fond along caravan routes, where food, water and rest facilities were provided.

An Active Role for Women
Woman played an active role in all social and political walks of life in Cairo. Women could be seen in streets, markets and public baths. They also participated in scientific and religious activities in mosques, following the example of the wives of caliphs, who were so rich and influental.

It is reported that Taghreed, wife of al-Moézz spent huge amounts of money on building her mosque. Al- Aziz married a Christian woman, who gave birth to al-Hakem and "Sit al-Molk". The latter, known for her personality, was reportedly accused of scheming the assassination of her brother al-Hakem .