The Auxiliary Forces of the Mamluk Sultanate

Abstract

The regular Mamluk army was frequently assisted in its wars and campaigns by irregular forces, both cavalry and infantry. In times of peace this kind of forces was charged with guard duties in certain regions, including some of the coastal areas; with the protection of the Royal postal system ( barīd ), and, quite often, with the supply of relay horses to it, etc. 1 ) The most important of all these auxiliary armies were the Turcoman tribesmen. Approaching them in military status were the Kurds; but the Kurds, who were so important in the Ayyūbid period, declined steadily under the Mamluks. In the early Turkish-Qipchaqi period (wrongly called “Baḥri”) they are still noticeable, but in the later Circassian period (wrongly called“Burji”) 2 ) they cease almost completely to constitute a military power of any weight. As for the beduins (and semi-beduins), it is mainly those of Syria and Palestine who are intended, as far as taking part in the major wars of the Mamluks is concerned. These tribesmen lived in or near the areas where those wars took place. It was, therefore, much easier to mobilize them for battle, than do the same with the tribes of Lower Egypt, let alone those of Upper Egypt. 3 ) The fact that the beduins of the country of the Nile lived near the main body of the Mamluk military power was for them a source of strength, but also a source of great suffering (see below).

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