Jurji Zaydan's classic novel, "Ahmed ibn Tulun," vividly recounts the life and reign of the ambitious founder of the Tulunid dynasty in 9th-century Egypt. This historical masterpiece explores ibn Tulun's strategic genius, military victories, and pioneering administrative reforms that led to Egypt's significant economic and cultural flourishing, establishing its independence from the Abbasid Caliphate. Zaydan masterfully blends historical fact with compelling narrative, offering readers a rich tapestry of political intrigue, court life, and the dramatic ascent of a powerful, autonomous state in a pivotal period of Islamic history.