"Khassakiya" unit of the Royal Mamluks in the army of the Mamluk Sultanate

The Mamluk Sultanate existed from 1250 to 1517, gaining military authority in various Muslim countries, especially in Egypt. Throughout its existence, it has been supported by well-trained and effective military forces. Although the Mamluk army cannot be compared to the modern standing army or to the armies of later periods, it was probably one of the few professional armies of the High and Late Middle Ages. Among the most important links in the Mamluk army was the “khassakiya” unit, whose members were the sultan's retinue and bodyguards and were selected from among the sultan's Mamluks. This article is intended to examine in detail the role of the “khassakiya” unit in the military and administrative spheres of the Mamluk Sultanate. The research is based on the study of literature and sources in English, Russian and Arabic. Particular attention is paid to the works by David Ayalon, al-Maqrizi, al-Qalqashandi and Ibn Iyas. The analysis of Arabic sources shows that, despite its small number, the “khassakiya” unit was an elite in the army of the Mamluk Sultanate, the membership in which was considered very prestigious. Moreover, the unit was considered a preliminary step to higher positions. All future emirs and sultans, with rare exceptions, served in the “khassakiya” unit. Even with the fall of the Sultanate, the legacy of the Mamluk army continued to manifest itself in military and administrative positions similar to those in the Mamluk army and the “khassakiya” unit in particular.