Hassan I of Morocco

Hassan I in Meknes.

Son of the sultan Muhammad IV, Mawlay Hassan was proclaimed sultan of Morocco on the death of his father in 1873. His first action was to crush an urban revolt in the capital Fes.[5][6] The new sultan was committed to continue the modernization and reform policy of his father.

Map of the Morocco during the reign of Hassan I alongside French Algeria.

He strived to maintain the cohesion of his kingdom through political, military, and religious action, in the face of European threats on its periphery, and internal rebellions, He initiated reforms. He strived to ensure the loyalty of the great chiefs of the south. He did not hesitate to appoint local Caïds like Sheikh Ma al-'Aynayn who gave him back the Bay'a, the pledge of allegiance in Islamic law. He tried to modernize his army, and lead several expeditions to assert his authority, such as to the Sus in 1882 and 1886, to the Rif in 1887, and to Tafilalt in 1893.[5][7]

Death of Hassan I.

An important event during his reign was the signing of the Treaty of Madrid in 1880. This treaty effectively gave international approval and protection for lands which had been captured by foreign powers. This set the stage for the French Protectorate in Morocco beginning in 1912. He managed to maintain the independence of Morocco while neighbouring states fell under European influence, such as Tunis which was conquered by France and Egypt which was occupied by Britain.

Particularly well known is the journey Hassan I undertook in 1893. He went from Fes (leaving on 29 June) to Marrakech, passing through the Tafilalt, the sand dunes of Erg Chebbi, the valley of the Dades with the majestic gorges of the Todra, Ouarzazate, the Kasbah of Aït Benhaddou, the high passage along Telouet, the Tichka pass (2260 m) in the high Atlas, Guelmim port of the Western Sahara. The voyage took six months and succeeded in its objective of reuniting and pacifying the tribes of several regions. The Krupp cannon he gave on this occasion to the caid of Telouet (member of the now famous Glaoua family) is still on display in the center of Ouarzazate. In 1881 he founded Tiznit.

Hassan I appointed Mouha ou Hammou Zayani as Caïd of the Zayanes in Khenifra in 1877. Mouha ou Hammou Zayani was to be an important figure in the 20th century colonial war against France. In 1887 he appointed sheikh Ma al-'Aynayn as his caid in Western Sahara. Ma al-'Aynayn too played an important role in the struggle for independence of Morocco.[8]

Mawlay Hassan I died on 9 June 1894 in Tadla, and was buried in Rabat.[9][10]

Mawlay Hassan was tall, bronzed in complexion, and had a black beard.[11] He was also a skilled horseman.[12] His favourite hobby was using the artillery. When visiting him, most of his time was spent examining artillery, pistols and rifles.[13]