The sultan of the mountains

"The Sultan of the Mountains" by Rosita Forbes is a historical biography and travel narrative written in the early 20th century. It follows the Moroccan leader Mulai Ahmed er Raisuli—portrayed as warrior, strategist, mystic, and tribal patron—through rebellion, diplomacy, and survival amid European encroachment. Framed by the author’s journey to his mountain stronghold, it blends on-the-ground reportage with oral history to depict a contested land and its charismatic ruler. The opening of the book presents a vivid authorial introduction that sketches Raisuli’s lineage, mystique, political acumen, and long contest with Moroccan sultans and Spanish commanders, culminating in a fragile peace and his austere life at Tazrut. The narrative then shifts to the author’s journey: guided by his cousin Mulai Sadiq, she travels from Tetuan through Spanish posts and the concealed city of Xauen into the Beni Aros mountains, witnessing guarded roads, wary villages, and even a snake-eater at Suq el Khemis before an armed escort leads her to Tazrut, a bomb-scarred stronghold. There she is welcomed into the compound, meets the household and Raisuli’s son, and finally encounters the imposing, soft‑voiced Raisuli, whose courtesy and watchful eyes frame late-night talks about power and war. He begins his life story—proud descent, studious youth and oratory, a first vengeance raid, rise as a mountain band-leader, ruses against the Maghzen, betrayal at Tangier, and the harrowing start of imprisonment at Mogador—where this excerpt breaks off.

The sultan of the mountains, by Rosita Forbes. Republished by OpenStories from Project Gutenberg eBook #77563.