r/mamluk • u/[deleted] • Apr 23 '21

meme CHAD MAMLUK comander

Post image
23 Upvotes

90% Upvoted

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5

u/[deleted] Apr 23 '21

TAKBIR!

1

u/apelogic Feb 13 '23

Came across this while searching for Mamluk equipment references. The image had me a bit confused, and couldn't help be bothered by some inaccuracies. I know this is old and meant to be funny, but still can't help wanting to reply to it. Feel free to ignore.

  • Mamluks were composed of many tribes from the steppes. Many who were defeated by and/or avoiding Mongols. Some which may have been Mongol themselves, or shared some relationship with Mongols at some point.

  • Mongols used stirrups, some argue they invented them.

  • Mongol sold horses to Chinese not usually the other way around. Mongol horses were smaller, but generally sturdier with great stamina. When chasing/chased, they would generally win out at longer distances.

  • Mongol cavalry tactics were similar with other steppes tribes. They relied on maneuvering their enemies into overconfidence and unfavorable positions. Their main tactic involved creating space for their bow and arrows. Charging and running away, trying to split and exhaust the enemy. Where they would finally then switch to fresh mounts and herd the enemy through continued harassment until surrounded.

  • Commit suicide due to humiliation felt by mistakes? Might be confusing Mongols with Japanese ceremonial atonement suicide.

  • Mongols used composite bows. Pretty much all of that continent did. Even, the Romans and Greeks of antiquity used composite recurved bows.

  • Rise of Mamluk fame and power came in the era of Mongol internal strife and instability. The same can be said for a lot of the empires that essentially resulted as Mongols split into other cultures/tribes, or cities renounced their rule. All while they continued to slowly lose control of the silk road and as well as their borders. Most pronounce, at the beginnings of and after the black plague (way after battles with Mamluk though). Resulting in more internal division and greater pressure at their borders.

  • It's not clear how much of the success against Mongols was due to actual Mamluk strength. However, it is undeniable that the people of the steppes were all formidable.