Baybars and his successors, including Sultan Qalawun and Sultan an-Nasir Muhammad, consolidated Mamluk power and expanded their influence in the region. They were able to maintain their military superiority, particularly in their cavalry forces, which were instrumental in repelling Mongol advances.
The Mongols, on the other hand, faced internal challenges. The Mongol Empire was fractured into several khanates, including the Ilkhanate in Persia, the Golden Horde in Russia, and the Yuan Dynasty in China. These divisions weakened their ability to coordinate military efforts against the Mamluks. Additionally, the Ilkhanate, which had previously been the most aggressive Mongol force in the region, eventually shifted its focus toward consolidating power in Persia and dealing with internal struggles.
The End of the Mongol-Mamluk Conflict
While the Mongols never fully managed to conquer Egypt or the Levant, their influence in the region did not disappear entirely. The Ilkhanate and the Mamluks continued to have occasional diplomatic relations, but the era of direct military confrontation had ended. By the 14th century, the Mongol Empire had disintegrated into several separate entities, and the Mamluks turned their attention toward consolidating power within Egypt and expanding their reach in North Africa.
The Mongol-Mamluk rivalry eventually faded into history as both powers adapted to changing geopolitical realities. The Mamluks continued to rule Egypt until the early 16th century, when they were defeated by the Ottoman Empire in 1517. The Mongols, though still influential in parts of Central Asia, lost much of their former power and prestige. shutdown123