The political consequences of the seizure of the Mamluk state in the Bahri state (648 AH/784 AH)

Abstract

The Bahri Mamluk state (648-784 AH) witnessed major political developments that affected the system of government and the methods of transferring power between sultans. This system was characterized by what was known as the "state of conquest," whereby power was not decided according to the principle of traditional inheritance, but rather was subject to the law of supremacy and force. This made the struggle for the throne a prominent feature of Mamluk political history. This approach led to the emergence of alliances and conflicts between princes, contributing to the reshaping of the state's political landscape.

The logic of force and supremacy had a clear impact on the nature of government, as sultans relied on the support of soldiers and princes to consolidate their authority, leading to recurring political instability, especially when the sultan was weak or young. This policy also contributed to the outbreak of internal unrest and revolutions that led to fundamental changes in the balance of power within the state.

This study aims to review the political consequences of the system of seizing authority in the Bahri Mamluk state, by analyzing its repercussions on the stability of the state, the nature of conflicts between princes, and the impact of this on the political and administrative structure. It also sheds light on the political and military tools used by the sultans to strengthen their authority and confront internal and external challenges, in light of the religious legitimacy that provided their rule with a political cover that justified their rise to power.