13th century – 13th century
Egypt and Palestine
Qutuz was a Mamluk regent and sultan who led Egypt during the Mongol advance into Syria. Elected sultan in November 1259, he commanded the Mamluk army alongside Baybars and secured a major victory over the Mongols near Ayn Jalut in September 1260. He was murdered shortly afterward by Baybars, who immediately took the throne.
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The Story
Qutuz emerged during a moment of acute danger for Egypt. The Mongol capture of Baghdad and the sack of Aleppo and Damascus brought the Mongol armies close to the Egyptian frontier, while the Mamluk state required a strong military leader. Qutuz, formerly Aybeg’s deputy and commander of his mamluks, was elected sultan in November 1259.
Qutuz led the Mamluk army from Egypt into Palestine with Baybars as one of the senior amirs. Near Ayn Jalut in September 1260, the Mamluks inflicted a heavy defeat on the Mongol army and its Armenian and Georgian auxiliaries. The victory stopped the westward Mongol advance and established the Mamluk cavalry as a formidable military force.
Qutuz’s success did not secure his political survival. Shortly after the battle, Baybars treacherously murdered him and was proclaimed sultan on the spot. The episode illustrates the violent competition among senior Mamluk amirs for control of the sultanate.
13th century – 13th century
Egypt and Palestine
Qutuz was a Mamluk regent and sultan who led Egypt during the Mongol advance into Syria. Elected sultan in November 1259, he commanded the Mamluk army alongside Baybars and secured a major victory over the Mongols near Ayn Jalut in September 1260. He was murdered shortly afterward by Baybars, who immediately took the throne.
Continue exploring
The Story
Qutuz emerged during a moment of acute danger for Egypt. The Mongol capture of Baghdad and the sack of Aleppo and Damascus brought the Mongol armies close to the Egyptian frontier, while the Mamluk state required a strong military leader. Qutuz, formerly Aybeg’s deputy and commander of his mamluks, was elected sultan in November 1259.
Qutuz led the Mamluk army from Egypt into Palestine with Baybars as one of the senior amirs. Near Ayn Jalut in September 1260, the Mamluks inflicted a heavy defeat on the Mongol army and its Armenian and Georgian auxiliaries. The victory stopped the westward Mongol advance and established the Mamluk cavalry as a formidable military force.
Qutuz’s success did not secure his political survival. Shortly after the battle, Baybars treacherously murdered him and was proclaimed sultan on the spot. The episode illustrates the violent competition among senior Mamluk amirs for control of the sultanate.