The Husainids originally ruled under the suzerainty of the Ottoman Empire. The Ottoman sultans officially regarded them as beylerbeyis (provincial governors) and recognized their rights to hereditary succession.[1] Their succession to the throne was in theory determined by male primogeniture,[1][8] but this was not always followed and, especially in later periods, the throne was often granted to an older male family member along the collateral branches of the family.[1] The heir apparent to the Bey held the title Bey al-Mahalla and led the mahalla, a biannual tax collection expedition around the country.[9]
After Husayn I ibn Ali was granted the title of beylerbeyi by Sultan Ahmed III in 1705, the Husaynid beys ruled with effective independence from the Ottomans, even going so far as to form separate diplomatic agreements with European powers such as France, England, and the Italian states.[1] Their independence was strengthened in the 19th century, especially after Hammuda Pasha suppressed the local Janissary Corps in 1811 after a revolt.[1][8] Nonetheless, they were able to retain advantageous relations with the Ottomans, sometimes requesting protection from them and at other times sending troops to assist in Ottoman wars.[1]
Under the reigns of Ahmed I Bey (r. 1837–1855), Muhammad II Bey (r. 1855–1859), and Muhammad III as-Sadiq (r. 1859–1882), efforts were made at significant reforms.[8] In 1845, with French support, Ahmad I Bey ended the regular payments of tribute to Istanbul, but continued to receive the official titles of wali and mushir and to maintain a semblance of Ottoman authority.[1][8] Ahmad also abolished slavery and removed the statutes that kept Tunisian Jews legally inferior. The abolition of the slave trade and the commission of major public works incurred large debts, which were mainly held by European (especially French) interests and businessmen.[8] On 10 September 1857, Muhammad II Bey enacted the "Fundamental Pact" (Arabic: عهد الأمان, romanized: 'Ahd al-Amān, lit. 'Security Covenant'), modeled on the Ottoman Tanzimat reforms.[8][10] In 1861 Muhammad III as-Sadiq promulgated a new constitution which transformed Tunisia into a constitutional monarchy, with a legislative assembly.[8] The state's financial situation worsened, however, which led to raised taxes, rebellions, and larger debts. In 1869 Muhammad as-Sadiq was forced to consent to the creation of an "international financial commission" (composed of Tunisia, France, England and Italy) that oversaw management of the country's debt.[8][1]
French intervention and pressure continued to increase. In 1881, following a French invasion and occupation, the Treaty of Bardo was signed and Tunisia came under the control of France as a protectorate.[8] Following independence from France on 20 March 1956, the Bey Muhammad VIII al-Amin assumed the title of King and reigned as such until the Prime MinisterHabib Bourguiba deposed the dynasty and declared Tunisia a republic on 25 July 1957.[11]
Since June 2013, the current head of the dynasty is Prince Muhammad al-Habib Bey (born 1929), who is a grandson of Muhammad VI al-Habib.[citation needed]
^Prokhorov, Aleksandr Mikhaĭlovich (1973). Great Soviet Encyclopedia. Macmillan. p. 531. The Husaynid dynasty was founded by al-Husayn ibn Ali, a Turkish officer of Greek origin.
^Tucker, Judith E. (2019). The Making of the Modern Mediterranean: Views from the South. University of California Press. pp. 40–41. ISBN978-0-520-97320-6. Founded by the son of a Muslim from Venetian-ruled and subsequently Ottoman-controlled Crete, the Husaynid dynasty (1705-1957) mirrored the larger play of trans-Mediterranean politics for two and a half centuries.
^ abcdefghiMantran, R. (1960–2007). "Ḥusaynids". In Bearman, P.; Bianquis, Th.; Bosworth, C.E.; van Donzel, E.; Heinrichs, W.P. (eds.). Encyclopaedia of Islam, Second Edition. Brill. ISBN9789004161214.
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