Sejarah politik Mamluk (648-922H/1250-1517M): suatu pengamatan berdasarkan sumber primer dan sekunder

Abstract

This article aims to analyze some issues that are less known to the public i.e. the origin and emergence of the Mamluks in Egypt and the incorrect application of terminologies of ‘Mamluk Bahri’ and ‘Mamluk Burji’ as used today. It also discusses the political history of the Mamluks from its establishment in 648H/1250M until its fall in 922H/1517M based on the primary and secondary sources. The main focus is given to the political abilities of some Mamluk sultans to sustain their powers. The article finds that the emergence of the Mamluk has started since the ‘Abbasid period. Nevertheless, their existence and their roles began to receive serious attention in the last days of Ayyubid period especially once they succeeded in establishing the Mamluk kingdom. Two of the dominant origins in the Mamluk sultanate were ‘Turkish’ and ‘Jarkash (Circassian).’ Based on these two ethnics, the terminologies of the ‘Turkish Mamluk’ and ‘Circassian Mamluk’ should be applied as used by the Mamluk historians in their writings. In the Mamluk sultanate, the empowerment strategy of any of the sultan was a ‘must’ because of the power struggling among the groups in the Mamluks to usurp the throne. The sultan also needed to strengthen the economic and social stability in order to continue his rule. This included overcoming the challenges and threats from outside enemies. From a large number of the Mamluk sultans, only a few succeeded in their reigns.