Mongols And Mamluks: The Mamluk Īlkhānid War, 1260-1281

Cambridge Studies in Islamic Civilization

by Reuven Amitai-Preiss

For sixty years, from 1260 to 1323, the Mamluk state in Egypt and Syria was at war with the Ilkhanid Mongols based in Persia. This is the first comprehensive study of the political and military aspects of the early years of the war, from the battle of 'Ayn Jalut in 1260 to the battle of Homs in 1281. In between these campaigns, the Mamluk-Ilkhanid struggle was continued in the manner of a 'cold war' with both sides involved in border skirmishes, diplomatic manoeuvres, and espionage. Here, as in the major battles, the Mamluks usually maintained the upper hand, establishing themselves as the foremost Muslim power at the time. By drawing on previously untapped Persian and Arabic sources, the author sheds new light on the confrontation, examining the war within the context of Mongol/Mamluk relations with the Byzantine Empire, the Latin West and the Crusading states.

Genres: History, Nonfiction

288 pages, Hardcover

First published February 24, 1995

Reviews

[Paul A · Rating 5 out of 5]

A thorough, if dry, summary of a commonly overlooked conflict that had far-reaching consequences, especially when the consequences of a different outcome to the war would have had dire implications for the future of the Islamic world. The author looks at every aspect of the conflict, ranging from the organization of their respective militaries, their satellite states, as well as the extent of the espionage practiced by each side. The "cold war" aspect of the conflict fascinated me, and this book only increased my interest in this subject. Heavily sourced, Reuven Amitai-Preiss offers a variety of perspectives on the conflict.

[Altaf Khan · Rating 5 out of 5]

An indepth account of Mamluks and their wars with Mongols. Worth reading for students of Islamic history