The Defense of Ottoman Egypt
During the Ottoman period, the defense of Cairo and the Kingdom of Egypt was placed under the command of twelve Beys. Some of these leaders came from the famous Mamluk families who had ruled Egypt before the Ottoman conquest. After Sultan Selim I captured Cairo in 1517, several Mamluk nobles were allowed to keep important positions under Ottoman rule.
These twelve Beys became powerful military commanders. They controlled the armed forces of Egypt and were respected throughout the province. Because of their wealth and influence, they sometimes challenged the authority of the Ottoman government when political disagreements arose Customized Turkey Tours.
The Beys and Their Personal Armies
Each Bey maintained around 500 well-trained soldiers. These men served as both personal guards and professional warriors. They accompanied their commander during official ceremonies, hunting trips, military campaigns, and public appearances.
In addition to these personal guards, the twelve Beys commanded a much larger cavalry force of around 20,000 horsemen. These soldiers were paid by the province of Egypt and carried out several important duties for the Ottoman Empire.
One of their main responsibilities was protecting the annual pilgrimage caravan traveling from Egypt to Mecca. They also escorted the yearly tribute of approximately 600,000 zechins, a valuable payment sent from Egypt to the Ottoman treasury. Depending on circumstances, this tribute was transported either by land or by sea.
Protecting Egypt’s Borders
When they were not escorting pilgrims or guarding the annual tribute, the cavalry’s primary duty was defending Egypt’s borders. They protected the rich agricultural lands of the Nile Valley from raids by tribes living in the mountains and deserts of North Africa. These attacks threatened villages, farms, and trade routes, making the cavalry an essential part of Egypt’s security.
Historical records also mention around 80,000 Timariots in Egypt. Each year, about 2,000 to 3,000 of these cavalrymen were sent to fight in the long Ottoman wars on the island of Crete (known then as Candia). However, they were rarely called to serve in more distant campaigns, such as the Ottoman wars in Hungary.
As Ensar Tour Guide often explains during Ottoman history tours, Egypt occupied a unique position within the empire. Its military protected not only one of the empire’s richest provinces but also the sacred pilgrimage routes that connected Cairo with the holy cities of Islam.