Prince Gaharkas Al-Khalili was one of the Amirs "Princes" of Sultan Al-Zahir Barquq, who was quite close to him. Prince Gaharkas Al-Khalili was known for his hatred of the Fatimids. He had the title of Amir Akhur or Master of the Horse. He destroyed the royal Fatimid tombs of al-Zaafran and built Khan Al-Khalili in its place still known by his name till now. Sultan Al-Ghawri demolished this Khan in Rabi I AH 917 (June AD 1511) and replaced it with shops and wakalas, or hostels for merchants.

Prince Gaharkas died in Damascus. His body was left in the open to be devoured by wild animals. Historians say that he was repaid for exhuming the bodies of the Fatimids and dumping their remains on the mounds outside Cairo.