Lesson 1 The Mamluks Who are the Mamluks? The term “Mamluk” refers to some. thing or somebody being owned. It was widely used throughout history. A mamluk is actually a soldier of slave origin. Overtime, the Mamluks became a powerful military caste in various Muslim societies. The earliest Mamluks were known « as “ghilman”, and they lived during the age of the Abbasids. By the beginning of the 9% century, the Mamluks became important members in the military. In fact, they became the main building elements of the military army. The origin of the Mamluks goes back to the Turks, and most of them were caught during previous wars. Did the Mamluks affiliations? The Mamluks had a non-Muslim background. They did not really have any religious or political affiliation. have any Most of them had no social ties and no tribal loyalty. Where did the Mamluks rule? In the year 1250, the Mamluk guards took over the Ayyubid Empire and ruled as Mamluk Sultanates. They first ruled over Egypt and later invaded Syria and became the only ones in control after the last Ayyubid caliph had died. The Mamluks expand their powers In 1258, Palestine witnessed the most decisive battle in Ayn Jalut between the Mamluks and other military forces. The result was the victory of the Mamluks. a Mamluk cavalrymanWho controlled the Mamluk Empire? One important member of the Mamluks’ army at the time was Baybars I. Baybars seized power and became the real founder of the Mamluk Empire. Baybars I was able to force all armies back to their basis because of his army’s strength. The year of 1377 was a turning point in the life of the Mamluk Empire since a great revolt was organized by two of its leaders: Circassians Barakah and Barquq who, within a short period of time, became in charge of the government in Syria and Egypt. The formation of the Burji Dynasty In the year 1382, Barquq was proclaimed as sultan. After establishing a firm and permanent base for his empire, he declared the rule of his new reign under the name of the Burji Dynasty. Main achievements of the Mamluks One of the major achievements of Barquq at the time was the establishing of the Madrasa- Khanka of Sultan Barquq in Cairo. The place was considered to be a spiritual retreat and an Islamic school too. In 1399, Barquq died and was succeeded by his son Faraj.lwork was amongst the greatest ments of the Mamluks who became st famous around the world because xpertise with metal. sr the picture presents a silver inlaid key | which was donated by Sultan Shaban II to era Fs he Holy Kaaba in Makkah. Makkah was | under the control of the Mamluks at End of the Mamluk Empire When Sultan Faraj was in charge, the whole empire was full of turbulences. He was continually faced by the emirs until they forced him to resign in the year 1412. The Kingdom of Cyprus attacked Egypt in the year 1421. In 1453, a new ruler, Al Ashraf, became the sole ruler of Egypt. he Mamluks were also pre fie Greta petnrsey oe tenet) spt K refle Clery Paty ten s the tec Mhey are unequ: EUAN He AK One of the important wars led by the Mamluks took place in the year 1517 in an attempt to’ restore Cairo. As a result, the Ottomans reestablished the power of the Mamluks who although considered a ruling class, were only technical puppets under the supervision of the Ottomans.Lesson Exercises Exercise 1: Write whether the following statements are “true” or “false”. 1. The term “Mamluk” refers to something or somebody being owned. bo . The Mamluks became important members in the _ military. not of major Mamluks. 3, Metalwork was importance to the 2: What is so special Mamluks Exercise about the way the pinded the Holy Qur’an? Exercise 3: What happened on th following dates? 1412 4. The origin of the Mamluks goes back to the Turks. 5. One of the most important 1421 members of the Mamluks’ army was Baybars I. 6. Baybars I lead the Mamluk §=——H—-H—— Empire to its downfall. 1453 7. One of Barquq’s major achievements was the establishing of the Madrasa- Khanka of Sultan Barqugq in Cairo.Lesson 1 Geograp'=*< Cog), To know more about the world we live in, scientists study it in details keeping in mind all the different aspects surrounding us. Geography, the study of the physical characteristics of Earth and human life and activity, is one of the studies scientists approach to have a_ clearer explanation of our world. To study this world geographically, geographers use specific geographic tools, and the more technology develops, the easier it gets to be to study Earth. Some of these 8eographic tools are the satellites (remote-sensing tools) and the GPS Global P ositioning System). A satellite is an object a outside planet Earth to orbit i and send signals which enhaneg both communication and telecommunication. These Objects help geographers in getting fa, away images of land on Earth and tracking the changes happening over the years, A GPS is a device that helps geographers in locating places on Earth. There are 24 satellites orbiting Earth in space so that the GPS system can work and give location information. Nowadays, you can use 4 G device while having a road i 4 you can even find pre-installed , systems in modern cars to allo" . process of navigation a” people locate places without lost. gettunderstand geography am tudy it, many concepts have to be woken into consideration. 1) Googral hic Tools instruments and devices that help geographers collect and organize information 2) Physical Characteristics physical features of Earth’s surface such as landform, water, animals, plants, climate and weather 3) Physical Process changes that happen in nature and affect the physical features of Earth 4) Ecosystems animal and plant chains and their interaction with nature OO Geographic Tools 5) Migration Movement of th People according to ‘© movement of tides 6) Population Growth increase in the number of people M a specific area7) Science and Technology effects of technology on people and the way it helps them live in a specific area 8) Na tural Resources the availability — of natural resources on Earth and the extent to which they are needed 9) Natural Hazards dangerous natural disasters such as volcanoes and hurricanes Gsooroeicy 10) Enyironmenta Des how — people and : Naty, t the environment affe anni > fi 11) Planning for the future analysis of the BeOgraphip s and their Possible future effects aspecLesson Exercises Exercise 1: Name 2 geographic tools hoo geographers use to study Earth. AL 2. Exercise 2: What is the difference between the above 2 tools? Exercise 3: To understand geography and study it, many concepts have to be taken into consideration. Name and discuss the 4 concepts you find most important.Lesson 1 Economic Syste. | in the world Economic systems rotate around three basic concepts. the how the number products distribution and kind will be of the of goods produced products and and the services to income be gained from produced them There are different types of, economies that appear worldwide. The first type of economy is referred to as traditional economy. A traditional basically in poor countries or in rural areas of countries. In these areas, the circulation of goods and services stays specified. Let us say the people living in a town produce their own goods and services. These goods and services are consumed ‘by the same people. Therefore, people do not really trade their products with other towns or cities since no surplus, extra amount, is produced. economy appears within the area Many also name this typ economy the subsistence ectny C7 it is an economy in which a goods are produced depending the technologies available, In subsistence economy, the fag grown is gathered and hunted j, provide just enough for the Deoply growing it (the town locals). aS ndevel loped are’ Another type of economy is refer! to as the market economy. Thisi** system which depends complete! on the freedom of the individuel® terms of choices of produ services, and prices. One for fn market economy which prevails : the world today is know? capitalism.What is capitalism? Jmagine you are a person who likes to produce tires. In a capitalist economy, you have the freedom to decide what raw material to use in your product, where to sell it, how much quantities you would like to produce, and above all, you decide the price of the tires you are producing. What determines such a decision? In the case of a capitalist economy, people depend on the supply and demand of products in order to determine everything related to the products production and market consumption. Usually, individuals or groups who produce the product conduct studies to check the available similar products in the market, their qualities, and the prices at which they are sold. Consumers’ interests are also taken into consideration. In such a system, individuals look for their own personal profit from the products or services provided. The government does not interfere. It might, in fact, like any other group, provide a service or even a good. The government of the United States is one of those governments that apply the market economy throughout the country. An opposing system is the command system. In a command system the government takes control of the contry’s economy. The government is the decision maker in terms of the kinds of products to be produced, the prices and profit margin for these products, and the places where the products should be manufactured and sold.The purpose of the government’s control is to achieve social and political stability. All communist governments are examples of such a system. China, Cuba, and North Korea are countries which fall under this category. Their governments are in charge of all farms, utilities, factories, and companies that work in the country. control? What about the wages of workers; who would determine and pay them? The last form of economical system which exists in our world is called the mixed economy. This is a combination of all the previous economies. You can find the traditional, market, and command economies applied within the same country. What fields might the government Economic Sustens The purpose of this system jg have social equality whereb; government is in control of ¢ fields, and the individuals the right to be in charge of Certaj, goods and services, Socialism, 7 the title given for such) economic system. In such system, the government Usually dominates over public Services such as health, communications, banking, transportation, and other similar fields. 0 Y the ertain have The individuals, on the other hand, are in charge of so many other services and products which are demanded and consumed by the market. Governments protect themselves by forcing taxes on such fields. Egypt, India, Bolivia, and Venezuela all apply socialism to a certain extent. Who controls each of these industries?Lesson Exercises Exercise 1° How many types of economies exist in the world? Name them. Exercise 2: The economic systems in our world rotate around three basic concepts. Name them. an 1 Exercise 3: Cross out the item that does not belong. Capitalism: e The means of production are privately owned. e Supply, demand, price, and distribution are determined by individuals. © The government interferes in all decisions. Socialism: e It is a theory based on public or common ownership. e The individuals are not in charge of so many services and products which are demanded and consumed by the market. e¢ The government usually dominates over public services such as _ health, communications, banking, transportation, and other similar fields,