Tuman Bay II - Capture and Death

Capture and Death

The captive Sultan held a noble front; he denied complicity in the murder, and spoke out so fearlessly on the justice of his cause and duty to fight for the honor and independence of his people, that Selim I was inclined to spare him, and carry him in his train to Constantinople. But the traitor Khayr Baig, and even Janberdi Al-Ghazali, urged that so long as he survived, the Ottoman rule would be in jeopardy. The argument was specious ; and so the unfortunate Tuman bay II was cast into prison, and shortly after, hung up as a malefactor at the City gate on April 15, 1517. The body remained suspended thus three days, and then was buried.

General Shadi Baig, similarly betrayed, was at the same time put to death. The sad death of Sultan Tuman bay II created such a sensation that an attempt was made by an Emir and a body of devoted followers to assassinate Selim I by night. But the Palace guard was on the alert, or the desperate design might have succeeded. Tuman bay II, forty years of age, had reigned but three months and a half. He left no family; his widow, a daughter of Akbercly, was tortured for her treasure.

Both as Governor during Sultan Al-Ashraf Qansuh al-Ghawri’s absence, and during his own short Sultanate, he proved himself brave, generous and just, and his death was mourned throughout the land. Last of the race he was one of the best. And so with the death of Tuman bay II, the Mamluk dynasty came to its tragic end.

As late as 1968, some Copts still observed the anniversary of Tuman's death as "Holy Friday."2