Mamelukes

(măm'a-lookz.) [From Ar. me malik, a serf. ] Originally, male slaves imported from Cir ca ia iuto Egypt by the rulers of that country. They were instructed in military exercises, but soon exhibited a spirit of insubordination, a a inating the sultan, Turan Shah, and, in 1258, appointing Ibegh, one of their own number, sultan of Egypt. They were at length conquered by Selim I., and Cairo, their cap., was taken by storm, after they governed Egypt 263 years. During the French invasion of Egypt by Napoleon I., the M. formed a fine body of cavalry, and for a time seriously annoyed the invaders, though many afterwards joined them. In 1811 Mehemet Ali annihilated their power by treacherously inveigling and destroying 470 of their chief leaders. [s. 572]