Burjī period

The Burjī period refers to the second phase of the Mamluk dynasty's rule in Egypt and Syria, spanning from 1382 to 1517. This era followed the earlier Baḥrī period (1250–1382). The Mamluks were originally slave soldiers who rose to political power.1

The Burjī period is characterized by the dominance of Circassian Mamluks, contrasting with the Turkish Mamluks of the preceding era. While the Turkish Mamluks achieved significant military successes, such as expelling Crusaders and repelling Mongol invasions, the Burjī period saw a decline in the Mamluk state's strength and stability. This decline was influenced by factors including ethnic divisions, economic decay, and the inability to adapt to new military technologies like field artillery. The Mamluk rule in Egypt and Syria ultimately ended with the Ottoman conquest in 1517. It is important to note that the Mamluk dynasty in India (1206–1290) was a separate entity with no connection to the Mamluk rulers of Egypt and Syria.12