How would you rate Baibars as a general? - Historum

**Salah** · April 29th, 2010, 06:46 AM

Rukn ad-Din Baibars was the founder of the first Mamluk Dynasty to rule over Egypt, in 1250. He has gained historical fame largely through inflicting a defeat on the Mongols at Ain Jalut - one of the few defeats they ever suffered in the 13th Century.

How would you rate his performance as a leader and tactician?

**Labienus** · April 29th, 2010, 08:27 AM

Five stars. The second best Muslim general in history after khalid. He accomplished impressive things and he managed to save Syria from the Mongols.

sylla1 · April 29th, 2010, 08:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Salah ad-Din

Rukn ad-Din Baibars was the founder of the first Mamluk Dynasty to rule over Egypt, in 1250. He has gained historical fame largely through inflicting a defeat on the Mongols at Ain Jalut - one of the few defeats they ever suffered in the 13th Century.

How would you rate his performance as a leader and tactician?

Haven't we already been here before?

In any case, technology aside the Mongol army, society and state(s) of the XII & XIII centuries may well have been the most efficient military machine ever; by any measure, Ain Jalut was an unparalleled deed relative to any other defensive victory I'm aware of.

Far as I can tell, Baibars must be held personally responsible for both this victory and the eventual inability of the Mongols for achieving the expected retribution.

alsoubani · April 29th, 2010, 08:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Labienus

Five stars. The second best Muslim general in history after khalid. He accomplished impressive things and he managed to save Syria from the Mongols.

i agree with Labienus, to add a little Baibars also had to fight against two great enemies the Mongols and the crusaders, plus deal with the internal conflict of the Islamic empire.

and i also believe that baibers was the first to use explosive hand cannons in war.
for that i'll say five stars

**Salah** · April 29th, 2010, 10:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sylla1

Haven't we already been here before?

In any case, technology aside the Mongol army, society and state(s) of the XII & XIII centuries may well have been the most efficient military machine ever; by any measure, Ain Jalut was an unparalleled deed relative to any other defensive victory I'm aware of.

Far as I can tell, Baibars must be held personally responsible for both this victory and the eventual inability of the Mongols for achieving the expected retribution.

Nope, but I have done one of these polls for Salah ad-Din

It would seem that we are all in agree that Baibars was an excellent general.

**Salah** · April 29th, 2010, 10:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alsoubani

and i also believe that baibers was the first to use explosive hand cannons in war.
for that i'll say five stars

His infantry used hand cannons at Ain Jalut. Small hand grenades were developed in the Mamluk sultanate during the 13th/14th Centuries, though I don't know if these were used as early as the reign of Baibars.