On Zhihu, a netizen raised a thought-provoking question: Who was the strongest cavalry in the Middle Ages?My point of view is: 'When there is no hero, make the shaft famous'. In my opinion, the strongest medieval cavalry was none other than the Mongol cavalry. This view is irrefutable.
Let's first look back at history, especially the achievements of the Mamluk cavalry. During Napoleon's expedition to Egypt, the Mamluk cavalry bravely faced the French army under Napoleon's command, and although they were eventually defeated, their bravery and indomitable spirit left a strong mark. What kind of cavalry dared to confront the French artillery and spears head-on?
Originally, the Mamluk cavalry originated from the slave cavalry of the Arab Caliphate, which originally served the Ayyubid dynasty in Egypt. Later, they gradually rose to replace the Ayyubid dynasty and established the Mamluk dynasty in Egypt. This cavalry became an extremely powerful main force in Egypt, ruling Egypt for three hundred years.
The Mamluk cavalry became famous because of their remarkable achievements in history. Led by the Ayyubid Sultan Saladin, they fought against the Western Crusades. Even more remarkable, at the Battle of Ain Jalu at the end of the 13th century, they successfully resisted the Mongol expedition to the west, ending the expansion of the Mongol Empire in the west.
The soldiers of the Mamluk cavalry lived on horseback and underwent rigorous military training. They excel in equestrianism, mounted archery, and a variety of tactical skills. Alien to the outside world, they were purely professional soldiers, unlike ordinary slaves. Their standard of living is known as furusiya, which embodies great tactics and chivalry.
The peak of the Mamluk cavalry was the defeat of the Mongol cavalry at the Battle of Ain Jalu, which ended the myth of the Mongol Empire's westward conquest. In this battle, they used the terrain to lure the Mongol army deep into the valley, and finally won the battle through positional warfare.
The victory of the Mamluk cavalry was not a miracle, but the result of skillful tactics and training. They were adept at using the terrain and avoided the strengths of the Mongol army. Despite the initial encounter in the wilderness, the Mongol army was skillfully guided into the valley, thus transforming into positional warfare. This shows their excellent command and adaptability.
To sum up, the Mamluk cavalry, with excellent tactics and excellent chivalry, managed to defeat the Mongol cavalry and became one of the most powerful cavalry in the Middle Ages. Their achievements not only reflect the strength of Egypt, but also leave a strong chapter in history.