The Legacy of Mohammed el Kebir Reformist Bey and His Impact on Western Beylik
- Daniel Rasul
- Dec 27, 2025
- 6 min read
Mohammed ben Othman, widely known as Mohammed el Kebir, led the Western Beylik from 1776 to 1796. His rule marked a turning point in the region’s history, especially through his military successes and reformist policies. Most notably, he reclaimed the strategic cities of Oran and Mers El Kébir from Spanish control, strengthening the Western Beylik’s position. Beyond his military achievements, Mohammed el Kebir invested in social welfare, education, and economic development, leaving a lasting legacy that shaped the region’s future.
⚔️ The Architect of the West: Mohammed el Kebir and the Golden Age of the Algerian Beylik
Mohammed el Kebir (ruled 1779–1799) stands as perhaps the most formidable and visionary figure in the history of the Western Beylik of the Regency of Algiers. His reign was a transformative period that saw the final expulsion of Spanish colonial forces from Algerian soil and a profound restructuring of the region's social and intellectual fabric. While often remembered for his military triumphs, his true legacy lies in his unique synthesis of state-building, humanitarianism, and urban development.
🛡️ Early Life: The Making of a Commander
Mohammed el Kebir was born into the administrative elite of the Regency. He was the son of Othman al-Kurdi, the Bey of Titteri, which afforded him early exposure to the complexities of Ottoman-Algerian governance.
Rising through the Ranks
His career began in the Western Beylik (based then in Mascara), where his administrative talent was quickly recognized by the Dey of Algiers, Baba Mohammed
Ben-Osman.
Caïd of Flitta: He was first appointed as the governor (caïd) of the Flitta region, a strategically sensitive area known for its powerful tribes.
Khalifa of the West (1768): His success led to his promotion to khalifa, the supreme military commander and deputy to the Bey. In this role, he managed the makhzen (government-allied) tribes and coordinated the defense of the western frontier.
The Spanish Invasion of 1775
His defining moment as a commander came during the Expedition of Algiers in 1775. The Spanish King Charles III sent a massive armada to seize Algiers. Mohammed el Kebir marched from the west with over 4,000 disciplined provincial fighters. His legendary cavalry charge near El Harrach was instrumental in breaking the Spanish lines, forcing a humiliating retreat for the invaders. This victory cemented his status as a national hero, even though political maneuvering initially delayed his appointment as Bey.
🏛️ The Great Reformer: Governance and Social Welfare
Upon the death of Hadj Khrellil in 1779, Mohammed el Kebir finally assumed the title of Bey of the West. He inherited a province plagued by cycles of drought, locust swarms, and famine. Unlike many governors of his era who prioritized tax collection above all else, el Kebir prioritized the survival of his subjects.
The "Great" Philanthropy
His moniker, "El Kebir" (The Great), was earned not just through war, but through his response to the famine of the early 1780s.
Sovereign Soup Kitchens: He transformed the Palace of Mascara into a massive distribution center, funding soup kitchens from his personal treasury to feed the starving population.
Economic Stabilization: He imported grain and regulated markets to prevent hoarding by wealthy merchants, establishing a rare bond of loyalty between the common people and the Beylik administration.
Intellectual and Urban Renaissance
El Kebir believed that a strong state required an educated populace. He turned Mascara into an intellectual hub:
The Great Madrasa: He founded a premier Islamic university and library in Mascara, attracting scholars from across North Africa.
Restoration of Tlemcen: He spent significant resources restoring the historic schools and mosques of Tlemcen and Mostaganem, revitalizing the Andalusian-Maghrebian cultural heritage that had been neglected for decades.
🤺 The Reconquest of Oran and Mers El Kébir
The crown jewel of el Kebir’s career was the liberation of Oran. The city had been under Spanish occupation for nearly three centuries (with a brief interruption). It was a "thorn in the side" of the Regency, serving as a base for Christian corsairs and a drain on Algerian resources.
The Siege of 1790-1792
Following a devastating earthquake in Oran in 1790, which weakened the Spanish fortifications, el Kebir seized the opportunity. He organized a meticulous blockade and siege.
Military Diplomacy: He combined military pressure with clever diplomacy, eventually negotiating a treaty that allowed the Spanish to evacuate with honor.
The Triumph: In 1792, Mohammed el Kebir entered Oran as a conqueror. He immediately moved the capital of the Western Beylik from Mascara to Oran, signaling the city's permanent return to the Islamic fold. He converted the Spanish churches—most notably the Cathedral of Saint Louis—into mosques, including the famous Pasha Mosque which still stands as a testament to his victory.
🌍 Saharan Expansion and Diplomatic Mastery\
Mohammed el Kebir was one of the few Beys to successfully project power deep into the Sahara. He understood that the wealth of the Beylik depended on the safety of the trans-Saharan trade routes.
Pacification of the South: He led expeditions to the oases of Touat and Tidikelt, bringing autonomous Saharan tribes under the central authority of Algiers. This secured the flow of gold, salt, and ostrich feathers into the northern ports.
The "Small Gold Mine": Historical records mention the discovery of a gold vein during his southern campaigns. Rather than hoarding the wealth, el Kebir used it to fund his massive public works projects and the modernization of his artillery.
International Prestige: His power was so respected that the Sultan of Morocco and the Bey of Tunis maintained frequent diplomatic correspondence with him. He was treated more like a sovereign prince than a mere provincial governor.
📜 Legacy: The Foundation of Modern Western Algeria
Mohammed el Kebir’s reign ended with his death in 1799, but he left behind a Western Beylik that was the most powerful and stable province of the Regency.
Category | Achievement | Impact |
Territorial | Reconquest of Oran & Mers El Kébir | Ended 300 years of Spanish presence in the West. |
Social | Famine relief and soup kitchens | Created unprecedented popular legitimacy for the Beylik. |
Cultural | Built the Mascara Madrasa and Pasha Mosque | Revived Islamic scholarship and Andalusian architecture. |
Political | Subjugation of Saharan oases | Secured trade routes and stabilized the southern borders. |
His life provides a masterclass in balanced leadership. He proved that military might is most effective when paired with social justice and intellectual investment. For modern Algerians, Mohammed el Kebir remains a symbol of national resistance and the architect of the cultural identity of the Western region.
References
Abu-Nasr, J. M. (1987). A history of the Maghrib in the Islamic period. Cambridge University Press.
Rationale for inclusion: This is a standard academic text covering the history of North Africa. It provides the necessary broader context for the "Beylik system" and the regional politics of the Regency of Algiers during the late 18th century.
Fkair, A. (2024). Commercial relations between the Regency of Algiers and Spain between 1786–1830. ELWAHAT Journal For Research And Studies, 17(2), 466–485. https://asjp.cerist.dz/en/article/257686
Rationale for inclusion: This recent scholarly article details the diplomatic and economic shifts following the 1791/1792 treaties negotiated by Mohammed el Kebir. It supports claims regarding his diplomatic ties and the "commercial recovery" experienced after the Spanish withdrawal from Oran.
Hassaine, I. T. (2004). Oran au XVIIIe siècle: du désarroi à la clairvoyance politique de l'Espagne [Oran in the 18th century: From disarray to the political foresight of Spain]. Insaniyat / إنسانيات, (23-24), 197–222. https://doi.org/10.4000/insaniyat.5625
Rationale for inclusion: This peer-reviewed article specifically focuses on Oran in the 1700s. It provides detailed historical insights into the Spanish presence and the subsequent military and political strategies employed by Mohammed el Kebir to reclaim the city.
Lauwers, K. (2023). Nonsense and the senses: French sources of knowledge in colonial Algeria, 1846–1871. University of Helsinki.
Rationale for inclusion: While focusing on a later period, this research discusses the transition from the Ottoman administrative systems (like the Beylik of the West) to French rule. It provides archival context on the leaders and structures that existed just prior to the 1830 invasion, including the legacy of reformist Beys like el Kebir.
Oran El Maqam: The guide of the glorious memory. (2022). Democratic Arab Center for Strategic, Political and Economic Studies. https://democraticac.de/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Oran-Al-Maqam-The-Guide-of-the-glorious-memory.pdf
Rationale for inclusion: This institutional report confirms the specific dates of Mohammed el Kebir’s entry into Oran (February 27, 1792), his death (1799), and his extensive reconstruction efforts, including the foundation of mosques and schools to return the city to its "Arab-Islamic face."
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