IV. The Foundation of Fustat and the Khittahs of that Town

Abstract

The establishment of the town of Fusṭâṭ as a new capital of Egypt is an important event in the Arab conquest, inaugurating as it does the permanent occupation of the country by the Arabs. One has to look to Arab authorities alone for details. In the works that are generally available at the present time by having been printed, the particulars are but few. The direct references in these books to the foundation of the town, containing information beyond a mere mention of the fact, do not take long to sum up. Traced back as far as possible to their originals, so as to eliminate repetition which adds nothing to our knowledge, they appear to be included in the following passages:—