14th century – 15th century
Egypt, Syria, the Hejaz, Cyprus, and the eastern Mediterranean
Barsbay was a Burji Mamluk sultan who pursued military and fiscal measures to strengthen Egyptian control and increase state revenue. He recovered firmer control in the Hejaz, redirected eastern commerce toward Egyptian ports, conquered Cyprus in 1426, and attempted to seize Rhodes. His monopolies on sugar and spices, especially pepper, together with currency intervention and heavy customs, damaged merchant networks and contributed to the long-term economic decline of the Mamluk state.
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The Story
Barsbay ruled during a period when the Mamluk treasury faced mounting pressure from warfare and declining revenues. He strengthened Egyptian control in the Hejaz at a time when merchants were avoiding Yemeni ports, especially Aden, because of internal upheavals. Jeddah and other ports under Egyptian control consequently received a larger share of eastern trade, increasing customs income before the sultan imposed additional burdens.
Barsbay also responded militarily to maritime threats. Because Cyprus continued to support or tolerate pirate activity despite a peace treaty, he launched a punitive expedition in 1426. The Egyptian fleet transported an army to the island; after a short siege, its capital and king surrendered, and James of Lusignan became a tributary vassal. In the 1440s, Mamluk attempts to conquer Rhodes were repulsed with severe losses.
The sultan’s fiscal policies had more damaging consequences. He established monopolies on sugar and pepper, forced consumers and foreign merchants to accept state-controlled prices, and manipulated the currency by recalling European gold coins and issuing replacement dinars. Kārimī merchants began leaving Egypt, while inflation and commercial conflict weakened the economic system Barsbay had sought to strengthen.
14th century – 15th century
Egypt, Syria, the Hejaz, Cyprus, and the eastern Mediterranean
Barsbay was a Burji Mamluk sultan who pursued military and fiscal measures to strengthen Egyptian control and increase state revenue. He recovered firmer control in the Hejaz, redirected eastern commerce toward Egyptian ports, conquered Cyprus in 1426, and attempted to seize Rhodes. His monopolies on sugar and spices, especially pepper, together with currency intervention and heavy customs, damaged merchant networks and contributed to the long-term economic decline of the Mamluk state.
Continue exploring
The Story
Barsbay ruled during a period when the Mamluk treasury faced mounting pressure from warfare and declining revenues. He strengthened Egyptian control in the Hejaz at a time when merchants were avoiding Yemeni ports, especially Aden, because of internal upheavals. Jeddah and other ports under Egyptian control consequently received a larger share of eastern trade, increasing customs income before the sultan imposed additional burdens.
Barsbay also responded militarily to maritime threats. Because Cyprus continued to support or tolerate pirate activity despite a peace treaty, he launched a punitive expedition in 1426. The Egyptian fleet transported an army to the island; after a short siege, its capital and king surrendered, and James of Lusignan became a tributary vassal. In the 1440s, Mamluk attempts to conquer Rhodes were repulsed with severe losses.
The sultan’s fiscal policies had more damaging consequences. He established monopolies on sugar and pepper, forced consumers and foreign merchants to accept state-controlled prices, and manipulated the currency by recalling European gold coins and issuing replacement dinars. Kārimī merchants began leaving Egypt, while inflation and commercial conflict weakened the economic system Barsbay had sought to strengthen.
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