The Mamluk Sultanate

This book provides an insightful overview of the Mamluk Sultanate, detailing its governance, cultural heritage, and political dynamics from 1250 to 1517.

The Mamluk Sultanate offers a deep dive into the unique perspectives of the slave soldiers who established this influential regime. Ruling over Egypt, Syria, and parts of the Arabian hinterland from approximately 1250 to 1517, the Sultanate emerged following the fall of the Ayyubid dynasty. This book serves as a comprehensive survey for undergraduate students and general readers alike, providing insights into the Sultanate's political structures and cultural traditions, which were heavily influenced by its Fatimid and Ayyubid predecessors.

In examining the Mamluk Sultanate, Carl F. Petry highlights the significant shifts in governance and authority that marked this period. The Sultanate's system represented a notable departure from previous hierarchies, showcasing a centralization of power that was innovative for its time. Petry explores the complex interplay between the military elite and civil bureaucracy, as well as the conspiratorial politics that characterized the era. This interdisciplinary approach allows readers to appreciate the nuanced identity and heritage of the Sultanate, especially in the context of the Mongol conquests.

Furthermore, the book delves into the Sultanate's statecraft, foreign policy, and economic strategies, detailing its interactions with other political entities within the broader Islamic world. By situating the Mamluk Sultanate within the global development of comparative political systems, Petry underscores its significance as a remarkable experiment in state-building during the pre-modern Islamic era.