Explore the captivating history of the Mamluk Empire, one of the Middle East’s most powerful forces from 1250 to 1517.
About the Book
For 267 years, the Mamluks based in Egypt ruled an extraordinary and powerful empire. Just as they had once been recruited into the armies of Middle Eastern princes, they in turn recruited their rulers from among young ‘slave’ boys purchased and imported from the Russian Steppes. This system of ownership, military training, and eventual emancipation produced the finest cavalry in the world — fiercely loyal to their patrons.
The Western world has long known little about the history of this great empire. In this book, author John Bagot Glubb seeks to fill that gap by providing a detailed narrative of the Mamluks’ dramatic rise and eventual fall. To do so, he draws extensively on the works of Arabic historians who witnessed many of the events described, as well as on European translations and the few English-language books covering the period.
The Mamluks began as a formidable warrior class, defending their territory and Islam against Mongol and Christian invaders. Their story is one of conflict, betrayal, and ruthless leadership, interspersed with periods of stability, immense wealth, international trade, and remarkable architectural achievements. Ultimately, however, the very system that allowed any Mamluk to rise to power and become Sultan also led to chronic instability, decadence, and a decline in military discipline. As the mighty Ottoman Empire expanded, the Mamluks found themselves unable to compete.
“As always a clear guide, illuminating history by the fruits of his own experience.” The Times
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