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Muhallabids

The Muhallabids were a dynasty of governors in Ifriqiya under the Abbasid Caliphate (771-793)

Although subject to the Abbasids, they enjoyed a great deal of autonomy and were able to maintain Arab rule in the face of revolts by the Berbers. They were unable however to prevent the formation of the kingdoms of the Idrisids in Morocco and the Rustamids in central Algeria.

Ifriqiya experienced a significant economic and cultural upturn under the Muhallabids - above all agriculture was reinvigorated by the expansion of irrigation systems. The dynasty was overthrown in 793 by a military rebellion, and in the ensuing anarchy the Aghlabids established themselves as rulers of separate Emirate (800-909).