The Mamluks

[Sulla80]

My latest post takes a look at the Mamluks and their rise to power in Delhi and Egypt. This coin from the last of the Bahri Mamluks during a brief 2nd reign.  A rebellion against his regent turned sultan briefly re-installed Hajji II as sultan.

More here: https://www.sullacoins.com/post/mamlūks

The image of a cavalryman is from : Nihayat al-Su’l wa al-Umniya fi Ta‘allum ‘Amal al-Furusiyya. Manuscript, dated Hegira 768 / AD 1366, The Chester Beatty Library, Dublin, Museum Inventory Number: CBL Ar 5655. A compendium of military arts written by Muhammad ibn Isa ibn Isma‘il al-Hanafi al-Aqsari (d. AD 1348, Damascus), who dedicated it to the Mamlūk viceroy of Egypt, Ala al-Din Asanbay al-Abu Bakri. It became the most popular Mamlūk book on furusiyya (horsemanship, chivalry, and military tactics).

Mamluk AE fals, Hajji II, 2nd reign, Dimashq (Damascus, Syria), 791 AH (CE 1389–1390). Balog 532. Zeno 329062.

In Egypt/Syria the Mamluk Sultanate endured for over two and a half centuries, characterized by two distinct dynasties:

• "Bahri" is derived from the Arabic word "Bahr" (meaning "sea"), referencing the elite guard stationed on Roda Island in the Nile River during the early Mamluk period. This geographic association became symbolic of the dynasty. The Bahri rulers emphasized ties to their Turkic heritage and often patronized art, architecture, and literature influenced by their Turkic roots.

• "Burji" comes from the Arabic word "Burj" (meaning "tower"), referencing the elite Circassian Mamluks who were garrisoned in the towers of the Cairo Citadel. These rulers were predominantly Circassians, recruited from the Caucasus region.

Post your coins of the Slave Kings of Delhi or the Mamluk Sultanate.

Edited November 30, 2024 by Sulla80

[Ryro]

Thanks for the informative write up.

Here's my only Mamluk fals. I've no idea about the identification:

[Croatian Coin Collector]

[Sulla80]

@Ryro - here are a few that look like matches to me:

• #345086: Mamluk AE fals, Hasan, Dimashq, 749AH.
  https://www.zeno.ru/showphoto.php?photo=345086
• #315573: Mamluk AE fals, Hasan, Damascus, 749AH.
  https://www.zeno.ru/showphoto.php?photo=315573
• Mamluk, Hasan, Dimashq, 750AH, AE fals
  https://www.zeno.ru/showphoto.php?photo=270123

Sultan Hasan was the son of Sultan Al-Nasir Muhammad ibn Qalawun, one of the most celebrated rulers of the Bahri Mamluks. al-Nasir Hasan first became sultan at the age of 13 after the death of his brother, Sultan Al-Muzaffar Hajji. His first reign was 748–752 AH / 1347–1351 CE. In 752 AH (1351 CE), he was deposed by the emirs and imprisoned in Cairo's Citadel. After three years of imprisonment, Sultan Hasan regained the throne in 755 AH (1354 CE). Sultan Hasan was assassinated in 762 AH (1361 CE) and his body never found.

@Croatian Coin Collector, I think I will mainly post, from now on, categories that will bring out coins from the Croatian Coin Collection - nice Bahri gold. 🙂

[Parthicus]

My collection is still deficient in Mamluk coins, I only have this AE fals of Baybars I: