Character Profile Lion of the Cross Baibars al-Bunduqdari I, (الملك الظاهر ركن الدين بيبرس البندقداري, al-Malik al-Zahir Rukn al-Din Baibars al-Bunduqdari) (1223 – July 1, 1277). The Lion of Islam. Baibars was a fair-skinned Kipchak Turk with blond hair and blue eyes, though one of his eyes had a cataract. He was captured by the Mongols and sold into slavery. He was purchased by a Mameluk officer called Aydekin al-bunduqdar and sent to Egypt. In Egypt, he became a bodyguard for the Ayyubid ruler, As-Salih Ayyubid. Baibars was a commander of the Mameluks in around 1250, when he defeated the King of France, Louis XI, during the Seventh Crusade. He was also a commander under Sultan Qutuz at Battle of Ain Jalut in 1260, where ironically, he decisively defeated the Mongols. This battle marked the first substantial defeat of the Mongol army and was considered a turning point in history. After the battle, Sultan Qutuz was assassinated while on a hunting expedition. It was said that Baibars was involved in the assassination because he expected to be rewarded with the governorship of Aleppo, for his military success; but Qutuz, fearing his ambition, refused to give him the post. After assassinating Sultan Qutuz, Baibars became the fourth Mameluk Sultan of Egypt. The reign of Baibars marked the start of an age of Mameluk dominance in the Eastern Mediterranean and solidified the durability of their military system. He managed to pave the way for the end of the Crusaders and their presence in the Levant and reinforced the union of Egypt and Syria as the regions pre-eminent Muslim state. On July, 1, 1277 in Damascus, Sultan Baibars died. His demise has been the subject of some academic speculation. Many sources agree that he died from drinking poisoned kumis that was intended for someone else.
Posted on: Sun, 12 Oct 2014 22:14:18 +0000