Banu Al-Ward

Banu al-Ward were a local dynasty that ruled the city of Bizerte in present-day Tunisia. They rose to power after the invasion of the Banu Hilal in the 1050s, during which Zirid rule over the region of Ifriqiya partially collapsed.

Name
They are also known as the Lakhmiyun, in reference to the Banu Lakhm. The Banu al-Ward are related to al-Ward ibn Dhi Abel ibn Aqyan ibn Zar’ah ibn al-Hamisa’ ibn Himyar ibn Saba, who was the first to be called al-Ward, one of the lion's names, from the tribes of Yemen.

History
Following the Hilal invasion and the dissolution of the Sanhaji rule in Mahdia, the leader Abu Raja al-Ward al-Lakhmi, one of the Taifa kings in Bizerte, established the state of the Banu al-Ward, fortified its city, and organized its affairs. He was residing in the castle of Carsbon in Mount Shuaib, and he used to join the rebels and raid the neighboring villages with them, The city of Bizerte was divided into two parts at the time in a major war, and among these sections was Lakhm, They decided to appoint Abu Raja al-Ward, and when he arrived, he worked to protect it from its Arab neighbors He made peace with the Banu Muqaddam, who ruled the neighboring plains, and paid them a tribute. He became very powerful and took the title of prince. Al-Ward was keen until the end of his life to make the city prosper, so he built buildings and factories in it and expanded its construction. They ruled from 1053 to 1203.

Abu Raja al-Ward was residing in the castle of Corsbana in Mount Shuaib, and he used to bring the rebels to him and raid the neighboring villages, imposing tribute on them, His raids continued for a long time until the villagers despaired of stopping them Bizerte was at that time in a dispute, one of whose parties was Lakhm, the people of Al-Ward, and this dispute lasted until their opinion was settled on Abu Raja Al-Ward taking over, So they sent to him and asked him to take charge of their affairs. He agreed, and when he arrived, its people took him into their fort, As soon as he assumed power, he began working to protect the city from its Arab neighbors When the neighboring plains were captured by the Banu Muqaddam, the followers of Al-Athbaj and Dahman, the followers of the Banu Ali, the followers of Riyah, He made peace with them in exchange for a tribute to be paid to the, Abu Raja became powerful and called himself the prince, At the end of his life, he was keen on making the city prosper, so he built buildings, factories, and more. After the death of Abu Raja al-Ward, his son Muhammad Ibn Trad assumed power he ruled for a month, but his brother al-Muqrin killed him and named himself the prince and ruled in his place. He was able to protect the city from the Bedouins and gain many supporters. His power became great and opened to poets who praised his court and his way of ruling and him. After his death, his son Abdul Aziz ruled for 10 years and ruled according to the path of his father and grandfather. Then his brother Musa took over after him, who ruled for four years and was also in his path. Then, after him, his brother Isa, who also followed in the footsteps of his predecessors, ruled the city until the Almohads came to it.

List of rulers
This following is a list of the dynasty's rulers: