Mamluk training, late 15th century

Mamluk cavalry troops undertake a two-handed spear exercise with shields worn over the shoulder. Based on a late 15th century manuscript in the Keir Collection, London.

The Mamluk Sultanate ruled present-day Egypt and Syria from 1250 to 1517. Although often described as ‘slave soldiers’, the term mamluk could also refer to freed slaves and those of high authority.

By Ibrahim Zamir