(1250-1517 CE), the word Mamluk is derived from Arabic, and literally means ‘owned’ or ‘possessed’. The Mamluks were slave soldiers, mostly of Turkish origin, who served under various Muslim dynasties such as the Ayyubids, the Abbasids, and the Ikhshidids. The Sultan’s Mamluks were educated in military schools where they studied Islam, whilst undergoing military training. Mamluks rose to high positions in the army command, coming to play an important part in the resistance to the Crusaders. In 1250 CE, the Mamluks founded their own sultanate in Egypt and Syria. One of their well known achievements was their success in the battle of ʿAyn Jālūt against the Mongols in 1260 CE. The Mamluk sultanate was brought to an end by the Ottomans in 1517 CE.
