Abbasid Caliphate

Strengths & weaknesses

• Low-quality Missile Troops

Description

Futuwwa, Code of Youth-manliness. Many cities have Futuwwa youth brotherhoods, a social circle - some act as artisan and trader guilds, some as charity organization, or worse: as crime gangs. They often fills in as the local government if there was power vacuum. The last effective Caliph of the Abbasids, Caliph an-Nasir is known for his patronage of the Futuwwa - reorganized in Sufi-Alid lines into a chivalric order instrument of the Government. The Futuwwa also promoted a more Arab identity and anti-Turkish sentiment based on common culture and allegiance to the Caliphate. (Finbarr Barry Flood, Gulru Necipoglu,'A Companion to Islamic Art and Architecture' (John Wiley & Sons, 2017) pp. 309)

Strengths & weaknesses

• Strong Tradition of the Faction
• Cheaper to field for the faction

Description

'Urban at-Ta'a = "Obedient Arabs" Bedouin Nomads loyal to the central authority, serving as light cavalry, scouts, raiders, and screening force. Some Arab tribes were tasked with supplying horses to the Barid postal service, and guarding roads south to Sudan. Mamluk-Bedouin Arab relation are not a smooth one, as the tribes tend to be unruly and disobedient. The Mamluks did not refrain from employing the harshest and cruellest measures in order to suppress the revolting Urban. Unfortunately for the Mamluks it is to no avail, the 'Urban keep revolting - they dominated Upper Egypt and Sudan, and in 15th, even spread their power over Lower Egypt (David Ayalon, The Auxiliary Forces of the Mamluk Sultanate, p.23-31) Each region fielded draws different composition of auxiliaries, with Egyptian and Damascene armies utilizing most of the Bedouins of Central Arab and Egyptian Delta (R. Stephen Humphreys,The Emergence of the Mamluk Army I, Studia Islamica , 1977, No. 45 (1977) p. 73)

Strengths & weaknesses

• Strong Tradition of the Faction
• Cheaper to field for the faction

Description

'Urban at-Ta'a = "Obedient Arabs" Bedouin Nomads loyal to the central authority, serving as light cavalry, scouts, raiders, and screening force. Some Arab tribes were tasked with supplying horses to the Barid postal service, and guarding roads south to Sudan. Mamluk-Bedouin Arab relation are not a smooth one, as the tribes tend to be unruly and disobedient. The Mamluks did not refrain from employing the harshest and cruellest measures in order to suppress the revolting Urban. Unfortunately for the Mamluks it is to no avail, the 'Urban keep revolting - they dominated Upper Egypt and Sudan, and in 15th, even spread their power over Lower Egypt (David Ayalon, The Auxiliary Forces of the Mamluk Sultanate, p.23-31) Each region fielded draws different composition of auxiliaries, with Egyptian and Damascene armies utilizing most of the Bedouins of Central Arab and Egyptian Delta (R. Stephen Humphreys,The Emergence of the Mamluk Army I, Studia Islamica , 1977, No. 45 (1977) p. 73)

Strengths & weaknesses

• Strong Tradition of the Faction
• Cheaper to field for the faction

Description

'Urban at-Ta'a = "Obedient Arabs" Bedouin Nomads loyal to the central authority, serving as light cavalry, scouts, raiders, and screening force. Some Arab tribes were tasked with supplying horses to the Barid postal service, and guarding roads south to Sudan. Mamluk-Bedouin Arab relation are not a smooth one, as the tribes tend to be unruly and disobedient. The Mamluks did not refrain from employing the harshest and cruellest measures in order to suppress the revolting Urban. Unfortunately for the Mamluks it is to no avail, the 'Urban keep revolting - they dominated Upper Egypt and Sudan, and in 15th, even spread their power over Lower Egypt (David Ayalon, The Auxiliary Forces of the Mamluk Sultanate, p.23-31) Each region fielded draws different composition of auxiliaries, with Egyptian and Damascene armies utilizing most of the Bedouins of Central Arab and Egyptian Delta (R. Stephen Humphreys,The Emergence of the Mamluk Army I, Studia Islamica , 1977, No. 45 (1977) p. 73)

Strengths & weaknesses

• Renowned Unit
• Superior Capability

Description

The Khassakiyya Mamluk were the Sultan’s Elite Corps of Bodyguards and select retinue. Most Mamluk Amirs reached their position via membership in the Khassakiyya corps. Al-Qalqashandi adds that they are differentiated by their brocaded tiraz band given to them, and they are admitted to bear their swords in the sultan’s presence, even privately. To be a Khassakiyya, one must be a Mushtarawat or Mamluk bought and freed by the reigning Sultan, and distinguishes himself from the ranks of the Julban. Their number fluctuate over time. At first they numbered 24 to 40 men, then 80, then increased to 400. One source even claim that there were increased to 1000 during the rule of an-Nasir Faraj in the early 15th Century. His successors scaled them down to 80, then 40 again. During the reign of al-Qansuh Ghawri they were increased again to 800 in 1503, and later to 1200 at the Mamluk defeat to the Ottomans in 1517. (David Ayalon, Studies on the Structure of the Mamluk Army I, Bulletin of the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London, Vol.15, No. 2 (1953), pp. 213-215)

Strengths & weaknesses

• Strong Tradition
• Easier to recruit due to Tradition

Description

Ghulaman (sing. Ghulam) were the elite soldiers of medieval Muslim armies. Taken as slaves, mostly from Turkish groups in the steppes at this time of history, purchased, raised as Muslims and trained for warfare, they are fearsome slave-soldiers whose loyalty only lies to their master, as they have neither family nor local support, relying solely on his success for their own fortunes. As time went on since the Abbasid implementation of the Ghulam system, they grew into some form of praetorian guard, playing kingmaker for the Caliphate. Regardless, Muslim rulers found Ghulaman to be indispensable for both their protection and to counter-balance the ambitions of powerful amirs. Many dynasties came from freed Ghulaman, Mamluks, who were put into important positions of power and emancipated during power struggles, notable examples including Egypt, Northern India and Khwarazm.

Strengths & weaknesses

• Strong Tradition
• Easier to recruit due to Tradition

Description

Ghulaman (sing. Ghulam) were the elite soldiers of medieval Muslim armies. Taken as slaves, mostly from Turkish groups in the steppes at this time of history, purchased, raised as Muslims and trained for warfare, they are fearsome slave-soldiers whose loyalty only lies to their master, as they have neither family nor local support, relying solely on his success for their own fortunes. As time went on since the Abbasid implementation of the Ghulam system, they grew into some form of praetorian guard, playing kingmaker for the Caliphate. Regardless, Muslim rulers found Ghulaman to be indispensable for both their protection and to counter-balance the ambitions of powerful amirs. Many dynasties came from freed Ghulaman, Mamluks, who were put into important positions of power and emancipated during power struggles, notable examples including Egypt, Northern India and Khwarazm.

Strengths & weaknesses

• Capable of both Melee and Ranged fighting

Description

Ghulaman (sing. Ghulam) were the elite soldiers of medieval Muslim armies. Taken as slaves, mostly from Turkish groups in the steppes at this time of history, purchased, raised as Muslims and trained for warfare, they are fearsome slave-soldiers whose loyalty only lies to their master, as they have neither family nor local support, relying solely on his success for their own fortunes. As time went on since the Abbasid implementation of the Ghulam system, they grew into some form of praetorian guard, playing kingmaker for the Caliphate. Regardless, Muslim rulers found Ghulaman to be indispensable for both their protection and to counter-balance the ambitions of powerful amirs. Many dynasties came from freed Ghulaman, Mamluks, who were put into important positions of power and emancipated during power struggles, notable examples including Egypt, Northern India and Khwarazm.

Strengths & weaknesses

• Ordinary Unit

Description

Kurdish tribesmen were great cavalrymen and fought as both heavy cavalry and light cavalry. Light cavalrymen wore little to no armour and carried the typical shields of swift eastern horsemen, such as small leather or wicker shields. Javelins were a common weapon of mounted skirmishers and raiders.

Strengths & weaknesses

• Ordinary Unit

Description

Muqti were iqta holders, and as such, soldiers who were assigned some administrative duties while owing military service in exchange for a tax-farming grant. As such, they formed part of the professional elite of the armies and also would often have to maintain and equip their own contingent of soldiers as part of their responsabilities.

Strengths & weaknesses

• Ordinary Unit

Description

Futuwwa, Code of Youth-manliness. Many cities have Futuwwa youth brotherhoods, a social circle - some act as artisan and trader guilds, some as charity organization, or worse: as crime gangs. They often fills in as the local government if there was power vacuum. The last effective Caliph of the Abbasids, Caliph an-Nasir is known for his patronage of the Futuwwa - reorganized in Sufi-Alid lines into a chivalric order instrument of the Government. The Futuwwa also promoted a more Arab identity and anti-Turkish sentiment based on common culture and allegiance to the Caliphate. (Finbarr Barry Flood, Gulru Necipoglu,'A Companion to Islamic Art and Architecture' (John Wiley & Sons, 2017) pp. 309)

Strengths & weaknesses

• Ordinary Unit

Description

The Jund are the standing army comprised of raised militia and paid soldiers either by salary, or more commonly by land grant forming military colonies. Originally in the Ummayad era, it specifically means military colonies, districts, and barracks, and the regiments it housed who were capable of long expeditions. Along time, the term come to describe the army as a whole. (The Encyclopaedia of Islam, C-G, Vol. 2 (Brill, 1993) p 601)

Strengths & weaknesses

• Strong Tradition
• Easier to recruit due to Tradition

Description

Ghulaman (sing. Ghulam) were the elite soldiers of medieval Muslim armies. Taken as slaves, mostly from Turkish groups in the steppes at this time of history, purchased, raised as Muslims and trained for warfare, they are fearsome slave-soldiers whose loyalty only lies to their master, as they have neither family nor local support, relying solely on his success for their own fortunes. As time went on since the Abbasid implementation of the Ghulam system, they grew into some form of praetorian guard, playing kingmaker for the Caliphate. Regardless, Muslim rulers found Ghulaman to be indispensable for both their protection and to counter-balance the ambitions of powerful amirs. Many dynasties came from freed Ghulaman, Mamluks, who were put into important positions of power and emancipated during power struggles, notable examples including Egypt, Northern India and Khwarazm.

Strengths & weaknesses

• Ordinary Unit

Description

Ghazi, in the medieval warfare context, can best be described as warriors on Holy warfare for Islam. Typically a good way to gain legitimacy in the Muslim world, rulers could also invoke Jihad as a way to bolster their manpower for campaigns, as there was no shortage of religious zealots and people looking for plunder.

Strengths & weaknesses

• Ordinary Unit

Description

Ghazi, in the medieval warfare context, can best be described as warriors on Holy warfare for Islam. Typically a good way to gain legitimacy in the Muslim world, rulers could also invoke Jihad as a way to bolster their manpower for campaigns, as there was no shortage of religious zealots and people looking for plunder.

Strengths & weaknesses

• Ordinary Unit

Description

It is slow to reload and lacks the distance of drawn bows but makes up for it in power.

Strengths & weaknesses

• Ordinary Unit

Description

The Jund are the standing army comprised of raised militia and paid soldiers either by salary, or more commonly by land grant forming military colonies. Originally in the Ummayad era, it specifically means military colonies, districts, and barracks, and the regiments it housed who were capable of long expeditions. Along time, the term come to describe the army as a whole. (The Encyclopaedia of Islam, C-G, Vol. 2 (Brill, 1993) p 601)

Strengths & weaknesses

• Ordinary Unit

Description

The Jund are the standing army comprised of raised militia and paid soldiers either by salary, or more commonly by land grant forming military colonies. Originally in the Ummayad era, it specifically means military colonies, districts, and barracks, and the regiments it housed who were capable of long expeditions. Along time, the term come to describe the army as a whole. (The Encyclopaedia of Islam, C-G, Vol. 2 (Brill, 1993) p 601)

Strengths & weaknesses

• Renowned Unit
• Superior Capability

Description

The Khassakiyya Mamluk were the Sultan’s Elite Corps of Bodyguards and select retinue. Most Mamluk Amirs reached their position via membership in the Khassakiyya corps. Al-Qalqashandi adds that they are differentiated by their brocaded tiraz band given to them, and they are admitted to bear their swords in the sultan’s presence, even privately. To be a Khassakiyya, one must be a Mushtarawat or Mamluk bought and freed by the reigning Sultan, and distinguishes himself from the ranks of the Julban. Their number fluctuate over time. At first they numbered 24 to 40 men, then 80, then increased to 400. One source even claim that there were increased to 1000 during the rule of an-Nasir Faraj in the early 15th Century. His successors scaled them down to 80, then 40 again. During the reign of al-Qansuh Ghawri they were increased again to 800 in 1503, and later to 1200 at the Mamluk defeat to the Ottomans in 1517. (David Ayalon, Studies on the Structure of the Mamluk Army I, Bulletin of the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London, Vol.15, No. 2 (1953), pp. 213-215)

Strengths & weaknesses

• Ordinary Unit

Description

Even though the Composite Bow is the Mamluk's main ranged weaponry, a Mamluk archery manual from 1386 contains a section about shooting Crossbow from horseback. The crossbow is a Qaws ar-Riqab (stirrup crossbow), used with jabbadh (belt) and khattaf (double hook) (Heath, Ian, "Armies of the Middle Ages, Volume 2: The Ottoman Empire, The Eastern Europe, and the Near East 1300-1500" (Wargames Research Group, 1984) p. 110)

Strengths & weaknesses

• Ordinary Unit

Description

Incendiary weapons became a mainstay of the battles during the Crusades, most importantly in siege warfare. Nafta grenades were the favoured weapons of the Muslims, even being imported all the way into India. Dedicated soldiers would be tasked with using such dangerous weapons and wear special coats less vulnerable to the flames.

Strengths & weaknesses

• Ordinary Unit

Description

Jaridah was a term used to describe light cavalry in Zengid and Ayyubid armies for deep raids. Probably rooted in "Mujarrada" "Naked", unarmoured as in the unbarded horse

Strengths & weaknesses

• Ordinary Unit

Description

At-Turkman at-Ta'a = "Obedient Turkmen" Turkmen loyal to the central authority. Turkmen were the most favoured of Mamluk Sultanate's auxiliaries. Together with the Kurds, they were settled to guard Syria, Lebanon, and Palestine from threats. Some Turkmen tribes were given the honor and task of running the Barid postal network and supplying the Sultanate with warhorses. (David Ayalon, The Auxiliary Forces of the Mamluk Sultanate, pp.14-21) Each region fielded draws different composition of auxiliaries, with Syrian armies utilizing most of the Turkmen (R. Stephen Humphreys,The Emergence of the Mamluk Army I, Studia Islamica , 1977, No. 45 (1977) p. 73)

Strengths & weaknesses

• Ordinary Unit

Description

These artillery pieces resemble giant crossbows, on a simple wheeled carriage. They can hurl javelins with great accuracy, and the power of these machines means that their bolts can pierce any armour.

Strengths & weaknesses

• Ordinary Unit

Description

These artillery pieces resemble giant crossbows, on a simple wheeled carriage. They can hurl javelins with great accuracy, and the power of these machines means that their bolts can pierce any armour.

Strengths & weaknesses

• Ordinary Unit

Description

Constructed of wood and capable of flinging stones large enough to crush a man's head, the catapult was a common site on the ancient Roman battlefield. Now in the medieval era, the catapult is being replaced by newer and more powerful weapons.

Strengths & weaknesses

• Ordinary Unit

Description

Constructed of wood and capable of flinging stones large enough to crush a man's head, the catapult was a common site on the ancient Roman battlefield. Now in the medieval era, the catapult is being replaced by newer and more powerful weapons.

Strengths & weaknesses

• Ordinary Unit

Description

The counter-weight Trebuchet is an evolution of the man-powered mangonel and catapults dating back before the 11th century. It has quickly spread throughout the world as an effective siege engine capable of lobbing large wall- crushing boulders.

Strengths & weaknesses

• Low-quality Missile Troops

Description

Futuwwa, Code of Youth-manliness. Many cities have Futuwwa youth brotherhoods, a social circle - some act as artisan and trader guilds, some as charity organization, or worse: as crime gangs. They often fills in as the local government if there was power vacuum. The last effective Caliph of the Abbasids, Caliph an-Nasir is known for his patronage of the Futuwwa - reorganized in Sufi-Alid lines into a chivalric order instrument of the Government. The Futuwwa also promoted a more Arab identity and anti-Turkish sentiment based on common culture and allegiance to the Caliphate. (Finbarr Barry Flood, Gulru Necipoglu,'A Companion to Islamic Art and Architecture' (John Wiley & Sons, 2017) pp. 309)

Strengths & weaknesses

• Strong Tradition of the Faction
• Cheaper to field for the faction

Description

'Urban at-Ta'a = "Obedient Arabs" Bedouin Nomads loyal to the central authority, serving as light cavalry, scouts, raiders, and screening force. Some Arab tribes were tasked with supplying horses to the Barid postal service, and guarding roads south to Sudan. Mamluk-Bedouin Arab relation are not a smooth one, as the tribes tend to be unruly and disobedient. The Mamluks did not refrain from employing the harshest and cruellest measures in order to suppress the revolting Urban. Unfortunately for the Mamluks it is to no avail, the 'Urban keep revolting - they dominated Upper Egypt and Sudan, and in 15th, even spread their power over Lower Egypt (David Ayalon, The Auxiliary Forces of the Mamluk Sultanate, p.23-31) Each region fielded draws different composition of auxiliaries, with Egyptian and Damascene armies utilizing most of the Bedouins of Central Arab and Egyptian Delta (R. Stephen Humphreys,The Emergence of the Mamluk Army I, Studia Islamica , 1977, No. 45 (1977) p. 73)

Strengths & weaknesses

• Strong Tradition of the Faction
• Cheaper to field for the faction

Description

'Urban at-Ta'a = "Obedient Arabs" Bedouin Nomads loyal to the central authority, serving as light cavalry, scouts, raiders, and screening force. Some Arab tribes were tasked with supplying horses to the Barid postal service, and guarding roads south to Sudan. Mamluk-Bedouin Arab relation are not a smooth one, as the tribes tend to be unruly and disobedient. The Mamluks did not refrain from employing the harshest and cruellest measures in order to suppress the revolting Urban. Unfortunately for the Mamluks it is to no avail, the 'Urban keep revolting - they dominated Upper Egypt and Sudan, and in 15th, even spread their power over Lower Egypt (David Ayalon, The Auxiliary Forces of the Mamluk Sultanate, p.23-31) Each region fielded draws different composition of auxiliaries, with Egyptian and Damascene armies utilizing most of the Bedouins of Central Arab and Egyptian Delta (R. Stephen Humphreys,The Emergence of the Mamluk Army I, Studia Islamica , 1977, No. 45 (1977) p. 73)

Strengths & weaknesses

• Strong Tradition of the Faction
• Cheaper to field for the faction

Description

'Urban at-Ta'a = "Obedient Arabs" Bedouin Nomads loyal to the central authority, serving as light cavalry, scouts, raiders, and screening force. Some Arab tribes were tasked with supplying horses to the Barid postal service, and guarding roads south to Sudan. Mamluk-Bedouin Arab relation are not a smooth one, as the tribes tend to be unruly and disobedient. The Mamluks did not refrain from employing the harshest and cruellest measures in order to suppress the revolting Urban. Unfortunately for the Mamluks it is to no avail, the 'Urban keep revolting - they dominated Upper Egypt and Sudan, and in 15th, even spread their power over Lower Egypt (David Ayalon, The Auxiliary Forces of the Mamluk Sultanate, p.23-31) Each region fielded draws different composition of auxiliaries, with Egyptian and Damascene armies utilizing most of the Bedouins of Central Arab and Egyptian Delta (R. Stephen Humphreys,The Emergence of the Mamluk Army I, Studia Islamica , 1977, No. 45 (1977) p. 73)

Strengths & weaknesses

• Renowned Unit
• Superior Capability

Description

The Khassakiyya Mamluk were the Sultan’s Elite Corps of Bodyguards and select retinue. Most Mamluk Amirs reached their position via membership in the Khassakiyya corps. Al-Qalqashandi adds that they are differentiated by their brocaded tiraz band given to them, and they are admitted to bear their swords in the sultan’s presence, even privately. To be a Khassakiyya, one must be a Mushtarawat or Mamluk bought and freed by the reigning Sultan, and distinguishes himself from the ranks of the Julban. Their number fluctuate over time. At first they numbered 24 to 40 men, then 80, then increased to 400. One source even claim that there were increased to 1000 during the rule of an-Nasir Faraj in the early 15th Century. His successors scaled them down to 80, then 40 again. During the reign of al-Qansuh Ghawri they were increased again to 800 in 1503, and later to 1200 at the Mamluk defeat to the Ottomans in 1517. (David Ayalon, Studies on the Structure of the Mamluk Army I, Bulletin of the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London, Vol.15, No. 2 (1953), pp. 213-215)

Strengths & weaknesses

• Capable of both Melee and Ranged fighting

Description

The Sayfiyya were Mustadakhamun Mamluk of ex-Amir Mamluks transferred to the Sultan’s service after their Amir’s death or dismissal. In the Sultaniyya Mamluk pecking order, they’re at the bottom. Unlike Qaranisa Mamluks, they came from many Amir backgrounds instead from a single Sultan’s Julban, hence they have no single clique to bond into. In effect politically they are rather indifferent. Lannoy in the 15th Century noted they were armed with swords as their namesake, serving on foot. (David Ayalon, Studies on the Structure of the Mamluk Army I, Bulletin of the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London, Vol.15, No. 2 (1953), pp. 204, 220-222)

Strengths & weaknesses

• Ordinary Unit

Description

Kurdish tribesmen were great cavalrymen and fought as both heavy cavalry and light cavalry. Light cavalrymen wore little to no armour and carried the typical shields of swift eastern horsemen, such as small leather or wicker shields. Javelins were a common weapon of mounted skirmishers and raiders.

Strengths & weaknesses

• Ordinary Unit

Description

Muqti were iqta holders, and as such, soldiers who were assigned some administrative duties while owing military service in exchange for a tax-farming grant. As such, they formed part of the professional elite of the armies and also would often have to maintain and equip their own contingent of soldiers as part of their responsabilities.

Strengths & weaknesses

• Ordinary Unit

Description

Futuwwa, Code of Youth-manliness. Many cities have Futuwwa youth brotherhoods, a social circle - some act as artisan and trader guilds, some as charity organization, or worse: as crime gangs. They often fills in as the local government if there was power vacuum. The last effective Caliph of the Abbasids, Caliph an-Nasir is known for his patronage of the Futuwwa - reorganized in Sufi-Alid lines into a chivalric order instrument of the Government. The Futuwwa also promoted a more Arab identity and anti-Turkish sentiment based on common culture and allegiance to the Caliphate. (Finbarr Barry Flood, Gulru Necipoglu,'A Companion to Islamic Art and Architecture' (John Wiley & Sons, 2017) pp. 309)

Strengths & weaknesses

• Ordinary Unit

Description

The Jund are the standing army comprised of raised militia and paid soldiers either by salary, or more commonly by land grant forming military colonies. Originally in the Ummayad era, it specifically means military colonies, districts, and barracks, and the regiments it housed who were capable of long expeditions. Along time, the term come to describe the army as a whole. (The Encyclopaedia of Islam, C-G, Vol. 2 (Brill, 1993) p 601)

Strengths & weaknesses

• Strong Tradition
• Easier to recruit due to Tradition

Description

The Khassakiyya Mamluk were the Sultan’s Elite Corps of Bodyguards and select retinue. Most Mamluk Amirs reached their position via membership in the Khassakiyya corps. Al-Qalqashandi adds that they are differentiated by their brocaded tiraz band given to them, and they are admitted to bear their swords in the sultan’s presence, even privately. To be a Khassakiyya, one must be a Mushtarawat or Mamluk bought and freed by the reigning Sultan, and distinguishes himself from the ranks of the Julban. Their number fluctuate over time. At first they numbered 24 to 40 men, then 80, then increased to 400. One source even claim that there were increased to 1000 during the rule of an-Nasir Faraj in the early 15th Century. His successors scaled them down to 80, then 40 again. During the reign of al-Qansuh Ghawri they were increased again to 800 in 1503, and later to 1200 at the Mamluk defeat to the Ottomans in 1517. (David Ayalon, Studies on the Structure of the Mamluk Army I, Bulletin of the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London, Vol.15, No. 2 (1953), pp. 213-215)

Strengths & weaknesses

• Ordinary Unit

Description

Ghazi, in the medieval warfare context, can best be described as warriors on Holy warfare for Islam. Typically a good way to gain legitimacy in the Muslim world, rulers could also invoke Jihad as a way to bolster their manpower for campaigns, as there was no shortage of religious zealots and people looking for plunder.

Strengths & weaknesses

• Ordinary Unit

Description

Ghazi, in the medieval warfare context, can best be described as warriors on Holy warfare for Islam. Typically a good way to gain legitimacy in the Muslim world, rulers could also invoke Jihad as a way to bolster their manpower for campaigns, as there was no shortage of religious zealots and people looking for plunder.

Strengths & weaknesses

• Not the Tradition of the Faction
• Rare
• Reduced Men per Unit
• Costly to Field

Description

First finding use in the 14th century, gunpowder weapons became more and more available over time, with lower costs of productions from local manufacturing of gunpowder. Firearms would become a staple of 15th century armies and eventually surpass all other missile weapons as better designs became available.

Strengths & weaknesses

• Ordinary Unit

Description

It is slow to reload and lacks the distance of drawn bows but makes up for it in power.

Strengths & weaknesses

• Ordinary Unit

Description

The Jund are the standing army comprised of raised militia and paid soldiers either by salary, or more commonly by land grant forming military colonies. Originally in the Ummayad era, it specifically means military colonies, districts, and barracks, and the regiments it housed who were capable of long expeditions. Along time, the term come to describe the army as a whole. (The Encyclopaedia of Islam, C-G, Vol. 2 (Brill, 1993) p 601)

Strengths & weaknesses

• Ordinary Unit

Description

The Jund are the standing army comprised of raised militia and paid soldiers either by salary, or more commonly by land grant forming military colonies. Originally in the Ummayad era, it specifically means military colonies, districts, and barracks, and the regiments it housed who were capable of long expeditions. Along time, the term come to describe the army as a whole. (The Encyclopaedia of Islam, C-G, Vol. 2 (Brill, 1993) p 601)

Strengths & weaknesses

• Renowned Unit
• Superior Capability

Description

The Khassakiyya Mamluk were the Sultan’s Elite Corps of Bodyguards and select retinue. Most Mamluk Amirs reached their position via membership in the Khassakiyya corps. Al-Qalqashandi adds that they are differentiated by their brocaded tiraz band given to them, and they are admitted to bear their swords in the sultan’s presence, even privately. To be a Khassakiyya, one must be a Mushtarawat or Mamluk bought and freed by the reigning Sultan, and distinguishes himself from the ranks of the Julban. Their number fluctuate over time. At first they numbered 24 to 40 men, then 80, then increased to 400. One source even claim that there were increased to 1000 during the rule of an-Nasir Faraj in the early 15th Century. His successors scaled them down to 80, then 40 again. During the reign of al-Qansuh Ghawri they were increased again to 800 in 1503, and later to 1200 at the Mamluk defeat to the Ottomans in 1517. (David Ayalon, Studies on the Structure of the Mamluk Army I, Bulletin of the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London, Vol.15, No. 2 (1953), pp. 213-215)

Strengths & weaknesses

• Renowned Unit
• Superior Capability

Description

The Mushtarawat, or Ajlab or Julban in Circassian Mamluk era, “Recruits” were the Mamluks who were bought and freed by the reigning Sultan. Therefore, they have a tighter knit of solidarity than the other Sultan’s Mamluks originating from the previous Sultan nor those taken from the Amirs. And such, the Sultans show heavy favoritism towards them, as they form the main support base of the current Sultan. Therefore the newly ruling Sultan will gradually replace the position of the Qaranisa Mamluk with his own Mushtarawat to secure his power. They even held back in battles to preserve their numbers compared to the Qaranisa. Due to their newly recruited status the Julban lack experience compared to the other Mamluks, but their privileged position means infractions are merely punished lightly. This lead them in the later era to be known as corrupt bullies. (David Ayalon, Studies on the Structure of the Mamluk Army I, Bulletin of the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London, Vol.15, No. 2 (1953), pp. 206-213)

Strengths & weaknesses

• Renowned Unit
• Superior Capability

Description

The Qaranisa Mamluks were Mamluks liberated by the previous Sultan. Therefore they get no such treatment the Julbans received from the current ruling Sultan, often sidelined and sometimes antagonized if there are grudges between the previous and current ruling Sultan. However due to their seniority they are long-standing veterans - which is the original definition of the term; and were battle-hardened precisely because ruling Sultans would rather deploy them in the field instead of their precious Julban. (David Ayalon, Studies on the Structure of the Mamluk Army I, Bulletin of the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London, Vol.15, No. 2 (1953), pp. 217-220; Studies on the Structure of the Mamluk Army III, Bulletin of the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London, Vol.16, No. 1 (1954), p. 73, 85)

Strengths & weaknesses

• Ordinary Unit

Description

Even though the Composite Bow is the Mamluk's main ranged weaponry, a Mamluk archery manual from 1386 contains a section about shooting Crossbow from horseback. The crossbow is a Qaws ar-Riqab (stirrup crossbow), used with jabbadh (belt) and khattaf (double hook) (Heath, Ian, "Armies of the Middle Ages, Volume 2: The Ottoman Empire, The Eastern Europe, and the Near East 1300-1500" (Wargames Research Group, 1984) p. 110)

Strengths & weaknesses

• Ordinary Unit

Description

Incendiary weapons became a mainstay of the battles during the Crusades, most importantly in siege warfare. Nafta grenades were the favoured weapons of the Muslims, even being imported all the way into India. Dedicated soldiers would be tasked with using such dangerous weapons and wear special coats less vulnerable to the flames.

Strengths & weaknesses

• Ordinary Unit

Description

Jaridah was a term used to describe light cavalry in Zengid and Ayyubid armies for deep raids. Probably rooted in "Mujarrada" "Naked", unarmoured as in the unbarded horse

Strengths & weaknesses

• Ordinary Unit

Description

At-Turkman at-Ta'a = "Obedient Turkmen" Turkmen loyal to the central authority. Turkmen were the most favoured of Mamluk Sultanate's auxiliaries. Together with the Kurds, they were settled to guard Syria, Lebanon, and Palestine from threats. Some Turkmen tribes were given the honor and task of running the Barid postal network and supplying the Sultanate with warhorses. (David Ayalon, The Auxiliary Forces of the Mamluk Sultanate, pp.14-21) Each region fielded draws different composition of auxiliaries, with Syrian armies utilizing most of the Turkmen (R. Stephen Humphreys,The Emergence of the Mamluk Army I, Studia Islamica , 1977, No. 45 (1977) p. 73)

Strengths & weaknesses

• Ordinary Unit

Description

The first primitive gunpowder siege artillery, bombards were created in China and Western Europe in the early 14th century and spread to the rest of the world by the late 14th century. They are forged from bronze or iron, and designed to fire stone balls that crumble enemy defences.

Strengths & weaknesses

• Low-quality Missile Troops

Description

Futuwwa, Code of Youth-manliness. Many cities have Futuwwa youth brotherhoods, a social circle - some act as artisan and trader guilds, some as charity organization, or worse: as crime gangs. They often fills in as the local government if there was power vacuum. The last effective Caliph of the Abbasids, Caliph an-Nasir is known for his patronage of the Futuwwa - reorganized in Sufi-Alid lines into a chivalric order instrument of the Government. The Futuwwa also promoted a more Arab identity and anti-Turkish sentiment based on common culture and allegiance to the Caliphate. (Finbarr Barry Flood, Gulru Necipoglu,'A Companion to Islamic Art and Architecture' (John Wiley & Sons, 2017) pp. 309)

Strengths & weaknesses

• Strong Tradition of the Faction
• Cheaper to field for the faction

Description

'Urban at-Ta'a = "Obedient Arabs" Bedouin Nomads loyal to the central authority, serving as light cavalry, scouts, raiders, and screening force. Some Arab tribes were tasked with supplying horses to the Barid postal service, and guarding roads south to Sudan. Mamluk-Bedouin Arab relation are not a smooth one, as the tribes tend to be unruly and disobedient. The Mamluks did not refrain from employing the harshest and cruellest measures in order to suppress the revolting Urban. Unfortunately for the Mamluks it is to no avail, the 'Urban keep revolting - they dominated Upper Egypt and Sudan, and in 15th, even spread their power over Lower Egypt (David Ayalon, The Auxiliary Forces of the Mamluk Sultanate, p.23-31) Each region fielded draws different composition of auxiliaries, with Egyptian and Damascene armies utilizing most of the Bedouins of Central Arab and Egyptian Delta (R. Stephen Humphreys,The Emergence of the Mamluk Army I, Studia Islamica , 1977, No. 45 (1977) p. 73)

Strengths & weaknesses

• Strong Tradition of the Faction
• Cheaper to field for the faction

Description

'Urban at-Ta'a = "Obedient Arabs" Bedouin Nomads loyal to the central authority, serving as light cavalry, scouts, raiders, and screening force. Some Arab tribes were tasked with supplying horses to the Barid postal service, and guarding roads south to Sudan. Mamluk-Bedouin Arab relation are not a smooth one, as the tribes tend to be unruly and disobedient. The Mamluks did not refrain from employing the harshest and cruellest measures in order to suppress the revolting Urban. Unfortunately for the Mamluks it is to no avail, the 'Urban keep revolting - they dominated Upper Egypt and Sudan, and in 15th, even spread their power over Lower Egypt (David Ayalon, The Auxiliary Forces of the Mamluk Sultanate, p.23-31) Each region fielded draws different composition of auxiliaries, with Egyptian and Damascene armies utilizing most of the Bedouins of Central Arab and Egyptian Delta (R. Stephen Humphreys,The Emergence of the Mamluk Army I, Studia Islamica , 1977, No. 45 (1977) p. 73)

Strengths & weaknesses

• Strong Tradition of the Faction
• Cheaper to field for the faction

Description

'Urban at-Ta'a = "Obedient Arabs" Bedouin Nomads loyal to the central authority, serving as light cavalry, scouts, raiders, and screening force. Some Arab tribes were tasked with supplying horses to the Barid postal service, and guarding roads south to Sudan. Mamluk-Bedouin Arab relation are not a smooth one, as the tribes tend to be unruly and disobedient. The Mamluks did not refrain from employing the harshest and cruellest measures in order to suppress the revolting Urban. Unfortunately for the Mamluks it is to no avail, the 'Urban keep revolting - they dominated Upper Egypt and Sudan, and in 15th, even spread their power over Lower Egypt (David Ayalon, The Auxiliary Forces of the Mamluk Sultanate, p.23-31) Each region fielded draws different composition of auxiliaries, with Egyptian and Damascene armies utilizing most of the Bedouins of Central Arab and Egyptian Delta (R. Stephen Humphreys,The Emergence of the Mamluk Army I, Studia Islamica , 1977, No. 45 (1977) p. 73)

Strengths & weaknesses

• Renowned Unit
• Superior Capability

Description

The Khassakiyya Mamluk were the Sultan’s Elite Corps of Bodyguards and select retinue. Most Mamluk Amirs reached their position via membership in the Khassakiyya corps. Al-Qalqashandi adds that they are differentiated by their brocaded tiraz band given to them, and they are admitted to bear their swords in the sultan’s presence, even privately. To be a Khassakiyya, one must be a Mushtarawat or Mamluk bought and freed by the reigning Sultan, and distinguishes himself from the ranks of the Julban. Their number fluctuate over time. At first they numbered 24 to 40 men, then 80, then increased to 400. One source even claim that there were increased to 1000 during the rule of an-Nasir Faraj in the early 15th Century. His successors scaled them down to 80, then 40 again. During the reign of al-Qansuh Ghawri they were increased again to 800 in 1503, and later to 1200 at the Mamluk defeat to the Ottomans in 1517. (David Ayalon, Studies on the Structure of the Mamluk Army I, Bulletin of the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London, Vol.15, No. 2 (1953), pp. 213-215)

Strengths & weaknesses

• Capable of both Melee and Ranged fighting

Description

The Sayfiyya were Mustadakhamun Mamluk of ex-Amir Mamluks transferred to the Sultan’s service after their Amir’s death or dismissal. In the Sultaniyya Mamluk pecking order, they’re at the bottom. Unlike Qaranisa Mamluks, they came from many Amir backgrounds instead from a single Sultan’s Julban, hence they have no single clique to bond into. In effect politically they are rather indifferent. Lannoy in the 15th Century noted they were armed with swords as their namesake, serving on foot. (David Ayalon, Studies on the Structure of the Mamluk Army I, Bulletin of the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London, Vol.15, No. 2 (1953), pp. 204, 220-222)

Strengths & weaknesses

• Ordinary Unit

Description

Kurdish tribesmen were great cavalrymen and fought as both heavy cavalry and light cavalry. Light cavalrymen wore little to no armour and carried the typical shields of swift eastern horsemen, such as small leather or wicker shields. Javelins were a common weapon of mounted skirmishers and raiders.

Strengths & weaknesses

• Ordinary Unit

Description

Muqti were iqta holders, and as such, soldiers who were assigned some administrative duties while owing military service in exchange for a tax-farming grant. As such, they formed part of the professional elite of the armies and also would often have to maintain and equip their own contingent of soldiers as part of their responsabilities.

Strengths & weaknesses

• Ordinary Unit

Description

Futuwwa, Code of Youth-manliness. Many cities have Futuwwa youth brotherhoods, a social circle - some act as artisan and trader guilds, some as charity organization, or worse: as crime gangs. They often fills in as the local government if there was power vacuum. The last effective Caliph of the Abbasids, Caliph an-Nasir is known for his patronage of the Futuwwa - reorganized in Sufi-Alid lines into a chivalric order instrument of the Government. The Futuwwa also promoted a more Arab identity and anti-Turkish sentiment based on common culture and allegiance to the Caliphate. (Finbarr Barry Flood, Gulru Necipoglu,'A Companion to Islamic Art and Architecture' (John Wiley & Sons, 2017) pp. 309)

Strengths & weaknesses

• Ordinary Unit

Description

The Jund are the standing army comprised of raised militia and paid soldiers either by salary, or more commonly by land grant forming military colonies. Originally in the Ummayad era, it specifically means military colonies, districts, and barracks, and the regiments it housed who were capable of long expeditions. Along time, the term come to describe the army as a whole. (The Encyclopaedia of Islam, C-G, Vol. 2 (Brill, 1993) p 601)

Strengths & weaknesses

• Strong Tradition
• Easier to recruit due to Tradition

Description

The Khassakiyya Mamluk were the Sultan’s Elite Corps of Bodyguards and select retinue. Most Mamluk Amirs reached their position via membership in the Khassakiyya corps. Al-Qalqashandi adds that they are differentiated by their brocaded tiraz band given to them, and they are admitted to bear their swords in the sultan’s presence, even privately. To be a Khassakiyya, one must be a Mushtarawat or Mamluk bought and freed by the reigning Sultan, and distinguishes himself from the ranks of the Julban. Their number fluctuate over time. At first they numbered 24 to 40 men, then 80, then increased to 400. One source even claim that there were increased to 1000 during the rule of an-Nasir Faraj in the early 15th Century. His successors scaled them down to 80, then 40 again. During the reign of al-Qansuh Ghawri they were increased again to 800 in 1503, and later to 1200 at the Mamluk defeat to the Ottomans in 1517. (David Ayalon, Studies on the Structure of the Mamluk Army I, Bulletin of the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London, Vol.15, No. 2 (1953), pp. 213-215)

Strengths & weaknesses

• Ordinary Unit

Description

Ghazi, in the medieval warfare context, can best be described as warriors on Holy warfare for Islam. Typically a good way to gain legitimacy in the Muslim world, rulers could also invoke Jihad as a way to bolster their manpower for campaigns, as there was no shortage of religious zealots and people looking for plunder.

Strengths & weaknesses

• Ordinary Unit

Description

Ghazi, in the medieval warfare context, can best be described as warriors on Holy warfare for Islam. Typically a good way to gain legitimacy in the Muslim world, rulers could also invoke Jihad as a way to bolster their manpower for campaigns, as there was no shortage of religious zealots and people looking for plunder.

Strengths & weaknesses

• Ordinary Unit

Description

First finding use in the 14th century, gunpowder weapons became more and more available over time, with lower costs of productions from local manufacturing of gunpowder. Firearms would become a staple of 15th century armies and eventually surpass all other missile weapons as better designs became available.

Strengths & weaknesses

• Ordinary Unit

Description

It is slow to reload and lacks the distance of drawn bows but makes up for it in power.

Strengths & weaknesses

• Ordinary Unit

Description

The Jund are the standing army comprised of raised militia and paid soldiers either by salary, or more commonly by land grant forming military colonies. Originally in the Ummayad era, it specifically means military colonies, districts, and barracks, and the regiments it housed who were capable of long expeditions. Along time, the term come to describe the army as a whole. (The Encyclopaedia of Islam, C-G, Vol. 2 (Brill, 1993) p 601)

Strengths & weaknesses

• Ordinary Unit

Description

The Jund are the standing army comprised of raised militia and paid soldiers either by salary, or more commonly by land grant forming military colonies. Originally in the Ummayad era, it specifically means military colonies, districts, and barracks, and the regiments it housed who were capable of long expeditions. Along time, the term come to describe the army as a whole. (The Encyclopaedia of Islam, C-G, Vol. 2 (Brill, 1993) p 601)

Strengths & weaknesses

• Renowned Unit
• Superior Capability

Description

The Khassakiyya Mamluk were the Sultan’s Elite Corps of Bodyguards and select retinue. Most Mamluk Amirs reached their position via membership in the Khassakiyya corps. Al-Qalqashandi adds that they are differentiated by their brocaded tiraz band given to them, and they are admitted to bear their swords in the sultan’s presence, even privately. To be a Khassakiyya, one must be a Mushtarawat or Mamluk bought and freed by the reigning Sultan, and distinguishes himself from the ranks of the Julban. Their number fluctuate over time. At first they numbered 24 to 40 men, then 80, then increased to 400. One source even claim that there were increased to 1000 during the rule of an-Nasir Faraj in the early 15th Century. His successors scaled them down to 80, then 40 again. During the reign of al-Qansuh Ghawri they were increased again to 800 in 1503, and later to 1200 at the Mamluk defeat to the Ottomans in 1517. (David Ayalon, Studies on the Structure of the Mamluk Army I, Bulletin of the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London, Vol.15, No. 2 (1953), pp. 213-215)

Strengths & weaknesses

• Renowned Unit
• Superior Capability

Description

The Mushtarawat, or Ajlab or Julban in Circassian Mamluk era, “Recruits” were the Mamluks who were bought and freed by the reigning Sultan. Therefore, they have a tighter knit of solidarity than the other Sultan’s Mamluks originating from the previous Sultan nor those taken from the Amirs. And such, the Sultans show heavy favoritism towards them, as they form the main support base of the current Sultan. Therefore the newly ruling Sultan will gradually replace the position of the Qaranisa Mamluk with his own Mushtarawat to secure his power. They even held back in battles to preserve their numbers compared to the Qaranisa. Due to their newly recruited status the Julban lack experience compared to the other Mamluks, but their privileged position means infractions are merely punished lightly. This lead them in the later era to be known as corrupt bullies. (David Ayalon, Studies on the Structure of the Mamluk Army I, Bulletin of the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London, Vol.15, No. 2 (1953), pp. 206-213)

Strengths & weaknesses

• Renowned Unit
• Superior Capability

Description

The Qaranisa Mamluks were Mamluks liberated by the previous Sultan. Therefore they get no such treatment the Julbans received from the current ruling Sultan, often sidelined and sometimes antagonized if there are grudges between the previous and current ruling Sultan. However due to their seniority they are long-standing veterans - which is the original definition of the term; and were battle-hardened precisely because ruling Sultans would rather deploy them in the field instead of their precious Julban. (David Ayalon, Studies on the Structure of the Mamluk Army I, Bulletin of the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London, Vol.15, No. 2 (1953), pp. 217-220; Studies on the Structure of the Mamluk Army III, Bulletin of the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London, Vol.16, No. 1 (1954), p. 73, 85)

Strengths & weaknesses

• Ordinary Unit

Description

Even though the Composite Bow is the Mamluk's main ranged weaponry, a Mamluk archery manual from 1386 contains a section about shooting Crossbow from horseback. The crossbow is a Qaws ar-Riqab (stirrup crossbow), used with jabbadh (belt) and khattaf (double hook) (Heath, Ian, "Armies of the Middle Ages, Volume 2: The Ottoman Empire, The Eastern Europe, and the Near East 1300-1500" (Wargames Research Group, 1984) p. 110)

Strengths & weaknesses

• Ordinary Unit

Description

Incendiary weapons became a mainstay of the battles during the Crusades, most importantly in siege warfare. Nafta grenades were the favoured weapons of the Muslims, even being imported all the way into India. Dedicated soldiers would be tasked with using such dangerous weapons and wear special coats less vulnerable to the flames.

Strengths & weaknesses

• Ordinary Unit

Description

Jaridah was a term used to describe light cavalry in Zengid and Ayyubid armies for deep raids. Probably rooted in "Mujarrada" "Naked", unarmoured as in the unbarded horse

Strengths & weaknesses

• Ordinary Unit

Description

At-Turkman at-Ta'a = "Obedient Turkmen" Turkmen loyal to the central authority. Turkmen were the most favoured of Mamluk Sultanate's auxiliaries. Together with the Kurds, they were settled to guard Syria, Lebanon, and Palestine from threats. Some Turkmen tribes were given the honor and task of running the Barid postal network and supplying the Sultanate with warhorses. (David Ayalon, The Auxiliary Forces of the Mamluk Sultanate, pp.14-21) Each region fielded draws different composition of auxiliaries, with Syrian armies utilizing most of the Turkmen (R. Stephen Humphreys,The Emergence of the Mamluk Army I, Studia Islamica , 1977, No. 45 (1977) p. 73)

Strengths & weaknesses

• Ordinary Unit

Description

PLACEHOLDER

Strengths & weaknesses

• Ordinary Unit

Description

This fearsome artillery piece is the pinnacle of late Medieval gun engineering. With greater range, damage and accuracy than all the guns that come before it, no enemy emplacements nor troops can stand up to its fearsome bombardment

Strengths & weaknesses

• Ordinary Unit

Description

The Gun to end all Guns. The Great Bombard is made for one purpose only, the utter destruction of enemy defences. This massive Bombard fires a stone ball weighing well over half a ton, obliterating any but the most massive walls in one shot. Unfortunately the down side of all this firepower is that it takes an eternity to reload.