TYRANTS OF THE NILE

Borji Mamluk were Circassian (from Caucasian region west of Caspian Sea). Barquq, their leader founded the dynasty giving himself kingship after surviving various coups by his officers. Borji (Borj meaning tower- in Persian and Arabic) were the traditional residences of Mamluk soldiers and officers in the Cairo Citadel. Mamluks along with Ottoman Turks who had been based in Asia Minor for several centuries began fighting the Tatar/Mongol forces of Timur known as Timurlane (“Taymour-e lang” meaning “limping Taymour” due to his battle injury). Eventually as enemies become allies and allies become adversaries, Ottomans and Borji Mamluks came to confront each other. Mamluks even though powerful and wealthy could not win from modernized army of Ottomans who used canons both stationary as well as shoulder held. With the defeat of Mamluks, the spiritual and religious power as well as administrative power became concentrated in Constantinople and on the Ottoman Throne. Conquest of Egypt turned Ottomans from a regional power to a world class power which it maintained until World War I.