Abd al-Rahman of Morocco

'Abd ar-Rahman ibn Hisham الرحمان
Sultan of Morocco
Reign	1822–1859
Predecessor	Slimane of Morocco
Successor	Muhammad IV of Morocco
Born	1778 Marrakesh, Morocco
Died	August 28, 1859 (aged 81) Meknes, Morocco
Burial	Moulay Ismail Mausoleum
Dynasty	Alaouite
Father	Moulay Hisham bin Muhammad
Religion	Islam

Not to be confused with Abd al-Rahman I

Moulay Abd al-Rahman ibn Hisham (Marrakesh, 1778 – Meknes, 28 August 1859) (Arabic: عبد الرحمان‎‎) was the sultan of Morocco from 1822 to 1859. He was a member of the Alaouite dynasty.

Abd al-Rahman ibn Hisham was born in 1778. Following the death of his uncle Suleiman of Morocco, Abd al-Rahman was proclaimed sultan of Morocco in Fez on 30 November 1822. His reign began during a tumultuous time, when many noble families and rural tribal confederations in Morocco were trying to extract greater power away from the center, and spent much of the early part of his reign crushing revolts.

Upon ascension, the sultan's finances were in shambles. With the country in disarray, the central government (the Makhzen) was unable to collect much customary taxation. Abd al-Rahman turned to foreign trade, which had been cut off by the prior sultan, as way to reap in customs revenue, and began to negotiate a series of trade treaties with various European powers. Abd al-Rahman also decided to revive the institution of Barbary piracy, hoping to replenish his treasury, but this created confrontations with the European powers as British blockaded Tangier in 1828, and the Austrians bombarded Larache, Asilah and Tetouan in 1829. The final bombardment of a Moroccan city in retribution for piracy occurred in 1851 at Salé.

He was an adept leader and administrator and was able to build public works and infrastructure. He did however have to deal with internal conflicts and had to quell revolts many times: 1824, 1828, 1831, 1843, 1849, and 1853. He was always successful at placating the nobles and malcontents though.

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