Short Description
The Mamluks were usually attributed, in name, to the master who bought them, for example, As-Saalihiyyah were the Mamluks bought by King As-Saalih Ayyoob, the Kaamiliyyah the Mamluks bought by Al-Kaamil, and so on.
The Mamluks were usually attributed, in name, to the master who bought them, for example, As-Saalihiyyah were the Mamluks bought by King As-Saalih Ayyoob, the Kaamiliyyah the Mamluks bought by Al-Kaamil, and so on.
However, As-Saalihiyyah Mamluks increased in number and had a strong influence during the era of King As-Saalih, who built for himself a palace by the Nile, and a castle for the Mamluks beside him in Manyal Ar-Rawdhah in Cairo; and since the Nile was called the Sea (Bahr), As-Saalihiyyah Mamluks were famous for being the Bahri Mamluks, due to their residence beside the sea.
In this way, King As-Saalih Ayyoob established his sovereignty with the help of the Mamluks who attained the highest positions in his army and state. In his era, the army was led by one of the prominent Mamluks, called Faaris Ad-Deen Aqtaay, and Rukn Ad-Deen Beebars was next to him in rank. Thus, both belonged to the Bahri Mamluks.
The campaign of Louis IX
Let us jump to 647 A.H., when As-Saalih Ayyoob became fatally ill. He was suffering from tuberculosis, which, in addition to his decrepitude, made him bedridden in Cairo. Meanwhile, King Louis IX, of France, wanted to avail himself of the Tatarian invasion of the Eastern part of the Islamic world, and invade the Islamic world from the direction of Egypt and Shaam. We have previously mentioned that Louis IX made an unproductive attempt, in seeking the aid of the Khagan of Tatars, Guyog, son of Ogetai. But even, Louis insisted on carrying out his campaign.
Louis chose Damietta to start his campaign, for at that time it was the most important seaport on the Eastern part of the Mediterranean basin. Thus, what is known in the history as the 7th Crusade began.
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