Overview of the Bahri Mamluk Dynasty's Role in the Seventh Crusade in Egypt

The Bahri Mamluk dynasty was established in 1250, marking a significant turning point in the history of Egypt and the broader Islamic world. This dynasty emerged in the aftermath of the Seventh Crusade, which was launched in response to the 1244 destruction of Jerusalem. The crusade ended in failure for the Crusaders, particularly for Louis IX of France, who was defeated and captured by the Ayyubid sultan al-Muazzam Turanshah at the Battle of Fariskur. Following this defeat, Turanshah was assassinated by his own Mamluks just a month later, leading to a power vacuum in Egypt. Shajar al-Durr, Turanshah's stepmother, seized the opportunity to become the first female sultana of Egypt. She later married Aybak, a Mamluk who served as Atabeg, solidifying the Mamluk control over Egypt. The Ayyubid dynasty, meanwhile, retreated to Damascus, where they continued to exert influence over Palestine for another decade. The establishment of the Bahri Mamluk dynasty not only marked the rise of a new ruling class but also set the stage for a period of military and cultural prominence in the region, lasting until 1382.