Agha al-Arab in Algeria, the high-ranking positions and political ambition during the Dey’s era(1671-1830)

Abstract

This study sheds light on one of the most important high-ranking positions in Algeria during the Dey’s era. We refer here to the position of Agha of the Arabs, that was not only a high administrative position with military powers, but had the potential to candidate for governor’s position. We have recorded the attempts of many of them to reach power through revolutions and conspiracies, what made them vulnerable to penalties for the slightest mistake they could make, as far as the inevitable dismissal in case of any change in power. It should be noted that Agha al-Arab was named otherwise Agha sabahiyya and/or Bash agha. It seems that the multiplicity of titles is an indication of the evolution of the roles, as evidenced by the historical responsibility that weighed on Ibrahim, the latest to have assumed the position, and lead the Algerian army during the battle of Staoueli in 1830.