2nd place EU III AAR challenge - now with pics
Congratulations to 2nd place in the EU III AAR challenge!!!
* NOW WITH PICS
The Mamluk Empire of East Africa
Nubia 1517 – The Mamluk Camp
The sun beat down on the cluster of tents nestled in the sands of Nubia as the men below went about their business. Peace had come but at a heavy price. The Ottoman Empire had taken all the lands that had once been theirs, leaving the Mamluks with but a few poor lands to the south.
At the centre of the camp a huge tent stood, although tent is too humble a word for it. Inside this tent the nobles, those who weren’t content to wait at the heels of an Ottoman master, were holding council on the fate of the Mamluk nation.
At the back of this great tent sat a small man, dressed in plain clothing, quietly crouched over a book with a quill. Sa’di Kasar, a rich noble had employed him. He was to record the great events which would take place, record the Mamluk’s rise from the ashes and while he was paid well he intended to do so. As the nobles dressed in lavish garments of silk began to stop their quarrelling and come to a consensus he began to write….
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The History of the Mamluks of East Africa Part I
Of the Funj
The nobles have reached an agreement. Sa’di Kasar, with his silver tongue, has persuaded the rest of the free Mamluks to abandon hopes of retaking Egypt; instead they have decided to found a new Empire which will rival the riches and glory of the old!
Even now work has begun; the people of this region who I doubt even knew they had masters a year ago have been put to the task of building a new capital for the new state. Meanwhile Kasar returned to his tent, and emerged in ceremonial armour and helm – the sun gleaming off the metal. Of the remnants of the once great and feared Mamluk army Kasar has hand picked one thousand to follow him. All were physically fit and strong and they would need their strength for Kasar was going to lead them south… south further into arid lands of eastern Africa.
A year later Kasar emerged from the uncharted lands he had visited. He brought back tales of the Funj, a Christian people who ruled the lands to the south. Kasar spun tales and lies of the Funj. Deceit is something Kasar has always been gifted at. For instance after Kasar returned most of the Mamluk army was under the illusion that the Funj army consisted of a thousand fruit throwers carrying nothing but fruit which they hurled at the enemy in the hope they would retreat. The army was won over by his talk of riches, land and glory… only a month after he returned the army marched south and not just to explore. The quest for a new land had begun.
Kasar led his forces into Dongola while mercenaries, hired from the two hundred ducats loan which Kasar secured headed for Suakin and Berber. The Funj were equipped with more then just sharpened mangos, spears in fact, made from sharpened stone. They were however no match for the Mamluk Army, even after it had been depleted in the Ottoman wars. The Mamluk cavalry dressed in chain mail and wielding lances smashed into the Funj line slaying many hundreds of the tribesman, who had been called up to defend their homes, on impact. The rest broke fleeing, throwing down weapons and shields as they went, desperately trying to escape Kasar’s forces. After the victory Kasar moved quickly as did the mercenaries to the east. Between them in a year they conquered the regions of Dongola, Berber, Suakin, Dar Ja’al, Butana, Jaqah and the Funj capital of Gazira.
The Mamluk victory was complete and Kasar swaggered up to the palace of the King of Funj. It was a magnificent place with gold ornaments from the mines of Ethiopia decorating the walls – Kasar’s eyes darted around from golden plate to golden statue. As he informed the king of the terms of peace Kasar burst out laughing. The king merely looked at him and requested to know what was so funny; Kasar replied that at first he was only planning on taking the Funj’s land but now he thought he would take some of their gold also, after all he had a loan to pay back. The gold was carted back to the scattered houses and emerging market stalls in Nubia which were the beginnings of the great capital.
The lands of the Mamluk Empire of East Africa - 1519
Unfortunately the lands Kasar gained did not bear the riches of the palace of the king which ruled them. Other then the Ivory in Butana the lands were good for little… even less considering the stubbornness of the tribes to pay tribute to their new overlords.
Muhammad Bey, a man under Kasar also led an expedition to explore, firstly into Taka and secondly deep into the heart of the continent to the west. It was a partial success and the lands just to the west were marked and noted by cartographers and yet as Bey plunged deeper west he and his men were lost to the jungles of Africa.
The sole survivor came back gibbering words of madness, below is what he said of the expedition.
“The jungle… its hot… men dead in the cot. The red eye fever… all dead… dead… dead.”
The patient, for that is what he was by the end soon developed bloodshot eyes before dying. As he died he uttered the following.
“Coming… they’re coming… coming to kill! The drums… the drums… head hunters… coming to kill!”
From this it wasn’t hard to work out the fate of Bey’s doomed expedition.
Of the Ethiopians
For the next 6 years Kasar and the other nobles chased through the plains of their new lands, forcing people to pay taxes and slaughtering bandits to try and secure the gains of the war. After risking their lives in the bleak landscape which Kasar had promised would offer so much wealth the Mamluks grew weary. They learnt to accept the strange animal worship of the tribesmen and the Christian faith of the town dwellers and with acceptance peace came to the region, the Empire was starting to take shape.
Mamluk eyes now shifted south. While the lands of the Funj had proved barren the Ethiopian lands were not. The gold mines to the south were legendary as were the rumours of the wealth that the Ethiopian King held. While the claims are undoubtedly exaggerated riches almost certainly wait to south and so the Mamluk army moved again.
Mercenaries were employed, tough men from North Africa and while they took more then their share of the loot they were worth it for they fought like men possessed. Mamluk forces poured over the border into Ethiopian lands and swarmed over the minor garrisons that the King had organised in an attempt to repel the invasion. The Ethiopians were beaten and licking their wounds but Funj still came to the aid of their allies, if a little late. The Funj were quickly beaten again and this time made vassals of our glorious Empire. The lands of Ethiopia were also brought into the Mamluk Empire with the Ethiopians accepting their status as vassals.
The Mamluk Empire of East Africa – 1529
Kasar also negotiated an agreement with the Swahili, allowing him to scout through their lands and to the south. Kasar is an adventurer by heart and despite his every increasing years, he is now 56, he is determined to go on one last expedition. Kasar’s objectives are to see if the Swahili lands are suitable for invasion, found a colony in the region known as Majerteen and explore the jungles inland from Swahili settled areas.
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The Jungles of Ujiji 1530 – Kasar’s Camp
The rain beat down and Kasar sat propped against a tree on the edge of his camp. The drums were all around them… sometimes nearer… sometimes further away. He grimaced as he moved to stand up, a shot of pain in his hip where arthritis had set in.
Had it really come to this? Would the founder of the new Mamluk Empire really to die to some stinking natives?
Kasar didn’t ponder for long – an arrow struck a man in the leg standing just 10 yards from him. The man swayed slightly then collapsed dead. The poison on the tip of the arrowhead had fulfilled its purpose. Then the drums boomed out, suddenly very close just outside the camp, and then like beasts from the jungle they came. With strange body piercings and tribal tattoos, which terrified many of the men, the natives of Ujiji charged the camp. The Mamluk forces were tired, many were suffering from the ‘red eye fever’ and so despite their guns they were overpowered. The battle was mercifully short, many of the Mamluks slain by poisoned arrows almost instantly after the fighting broke out. An hour later the Jungle floor was red with blood and Kasar lay mortally wounded, watching the natives decapitate the dead bodies of his comrades. A few moments later Kasar felt a tug on his hair and a metal blade gleamed in front of his throat – he shared the fate of his men.
Back in the Mamluk Capital of New Cairo, where a national bank had just been completed the news reached the council of nobles. The scribe, still sitting in the corner in much the same way he had all those years ago thought he was out of a job but then a man named Barquq approached and asked him to continue his work for the Mamluk Empire – the scribe agreed and again put quill to scroll.
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The History of the Mamluks of East Africa Part II
Of the Swahili
In the court of New Cairo the news of the death of the great Kasar has brought much mourning but also determination… determination that he won’t have died in vain… determination that the Swahili would be punished for tricking Kasar into the jungles of Ujiji and to his death. To this end the Mamluk nobles prepared to go against brothers of the faith and so the Mamluk war machine again began to roll!
The drums of war were sounded and the Mamluk forces gathered, ready to descend onto the lands to the south and avenge their former leader. The Mamluks had become good at defeating the other major powers in the region. Many thought this was due to the bravery and adventurer’s spirit the Mamluk people of East Africa now had in their veins. I on the other hand choose to believe the mastery of cannon and gunpowder has something to do with it. Needless to say the invasion plans were drawn up and the attack ordered.
Map showing the invasion route of the 1st and 2nd Mamluk Armies
The mainly mercenary army to the north stormed through the Swahili lands defeating the small clusters of Swahili men armed with spears along the way. They reached the meeting place in Haud within three months and set up camp – waiting for the second army to meet them. The second Mamluk army had in truth not yet made it out of Ifat where they had become embroiled in a terrible battle. 6000 Swahili warriors, with primitive weaponry but the courage of lions stood facing the 3000 strong Mamluk army. The Mamluks carried with them cannons, guns and horses and were disciplined fighting force while the Swahili were armed with simple bows and spears. However, the Swahili knew how to use the land; it was after all their home. They new where the water holes were; where the fords lay and where even a large army may hide under the shadows of caves. They moved quickly, harassing the larger Mamluk force with bows and slings, all the while luring them into Umboto Gorge.
Here, over a month after the Mamluks arrived in Ifat the Swahili stood and fought. The Battle of Ifat had begun. Small squadrons of tribesmen harried the flanks of the Mamluk forces, often using poisoned arrows. The Mamluk soldier’s morale suffered heavily and while losses weren’t that high many men now wanted to retreat, lest they be slowly whittled down. Ali Bey however who was in command ordered them to hold, they dug in while the cannon were readied, then the cannon began to fire. Death rained down on the Swahili forces and all the while the Mamluk gunners advanced, firing into the Swahili ranks. The Swahili fought hard and the Mamluks took casualties as the tribesman charged and a melee brawl followed. After two days of brutal fighting the Swahili ran – the Mamluks had won!
The Battle of Ifat
After the battle the 2nd Mamluk army carried on their march to Haud, annexing the Swahili allies of Adal on the way. At Haud they rested for a few weeks before continuing south. The Swahili were crushed and handed over all lands up the province of Lamu.
Of the Islands across the Sea
The whole of eastern Africa was now under the rule of the Mamluks. Despite the provinces rich in gold and ivory, which generated most of the wealth of the fledgling empire, there was still a severe lack of funds. Expansion to the south was possible but the fighting would be hard and the climate was less suitable. The heart of Africa was simply not an option – tales of the red eye fever spread fear throughout the land. The Ottomans were still too strong for the emerging empire to tackle and so, with the adventurer’s spirit instilled in the Mamluk people by Kasar a man named Ogan made ambitious plans and requested a ship.
Ogan intended to sail east in search of new lands and new riches! In 1546 he set sail…
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Just off the Isle of Mahe 1547 – Ogan’s Ship
Off the coast of Africa the lookout high above the ship bellowed out to the men below ‘Land Ahoy!’ As Ogan sat in his office aboard ship, drawing out maps he heard the call and leapt to his feet – land after only two weeks! Ogan made his way to the deck and gave orders to make landfall on the largest of the many islands dotted on the horizon.
Ogan’s ship, the Sultan’s Pride, drifted closer to the island carried by pleasant breezes. The weather was fine and had been all voyage. The men on board the Sultan’s Pride could just make out a small cluster of huts which triggered mutterings about head hunters to start but Ogan wasn’t worried they were miles from the jungles of Ujiji.
A few hours later the ship made landfall and the men readied their weapons, about to fire on the collection of men which had come out to meet them. The natives however simply looked back with puzzled glances and one yelled something in a strange tongue ‘Maybe they are hungry?’ A few others, seemingly in response, ran off to the village. They brought back meat, flavoured with spices which would rival any imported even to the old capital of Cairo.
It soon emerged the people of Mahe grew these spices themselves. A fortnight later, despite the protests of the men (who were sad to leave the place where they had been treated so well) the Sultan’s Pride set sail for Africa to bring news of the spice island of Mahe and the riches it may yet bring the Mamluk Empire.
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On his return Ogan told of the isle of Mahe and plans were drawn up for its colonisation.
Heartened by this success Ogan decided to make a second expedition further a field. On his second trip he found a isle named Bali, miles and miles further then Mahe, and on the isle a city inhabited by almost 50,000 people. The opportunity was too good to miss, without seeking permission Ogan attacked and defeated the army of Bali before taking control of the island. Ogan then returned to Africa… rumours and riches of the Spice Islands followed him. Ogan drew up plans for a third and final voyage, one to explore the area around Bali. This time instead of solitary ship and few men the Mamluk council equipped him with a fleet of 6 ships, 1000 men and many colonists eager for a new life in the east.
They reached the Spice Isles in 1557 and using Bali as a base of operations explored all they could. Some areas were filled with jungle so thick it would take a day to move a single mile but Ogan and his men pressed on. Some small Sultanates were also found and military access was acquired. The colonists meanwhile took to their new lives quickly, building small villages on the clusters of islands that dotted the ocean. If there was trouble with natives they would send for Ogan who quickly and normally brutally dealt with them. It wasn’t long before the Spice Isles around Bali were dominated by the Mamluks and a small but steady trickle of spices and the riches they brought arrived in east Africa.
It is now 1564, a whole 50 years since Kasar brought the Mamluk people on this great journey for a new land. There are Mamluk cities and colonies dotted over the Spice Islands and the capital is finished – all the buildings are a glorious chalk white – magnificent at dawn. The whole of east Africa has sworn allegiance to their Mamluk overlords and once again the Mamluks have an Empire! But I grow old now, my days are few, what the future holds for our Empire I know not. One day perhaps the Mamluk flag will again fly a top Cairo but my part in the tale is done…
Congratulations to 2nd place in the EU III AAR challenge!!!
* NOW WITH PICS
The Mamluk Empire of East Africa
Nubia 1517 – The Mamluk Camp
The sun beat down on the cluster of tents nestled in the sands of Nubia as the men below went about their business. Peace had come but at a heavy price. The Ottoman Empire had taken all the lands that had once been theirs, leaving the Mamluks with but a few poor lands to the south.
At the centre of the camp a huge tent stood, although tent is too humble a word for it. Inside this tent the nobles, those who weren’t content to wait at the heels of an Ottoman master, were holding council on the fate of the Mamluk nation.
At the back of this great tent sat a small man, dressed in plain clothing, quietly crouched over a book with a quill. Sa’di Kasar, a rich noble had employed him. He was to record the great events which would take place, record the Mamluk’s rise from the ashes and while he was paid well he intended to do so. As the nobles dressed in lavish garments of silk began to stop their quarrelling and come to a consensus he began to write….
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
The History of the Mamluks of East Africa Part I
Of the Funj
The nobles have reached an agreement. Sa’di Kasar, with his silver tongue, has persuaded the rest of the free Mamluks to abandon hopes of retaking Egypt; instead they have decided to found a new Empire which will rival the riches and glory of the old!
Even now work has begun; the people of this region who I doubt even knew they had masters a year ago have been put to the task of building a new capital for the new state. Meanwhile Kasar returned to his tent, and emerged in ceremonial armour and helm – the sun gleaming off the metal. Of the remnants of the once great and feared Mamluk army Kasar has hand picked one thousand to follow him. All were physically fit and strong and they would need their strength for Kasar was going to lead them south… south further into arid lands of eastern Africa.
A year later Kasar emerged from the uncharted lands he had visited. He brought back tales of the Funj, a Christian people who ruled the lands to the south. Kasar spun tales and lies of the Funj. Deceit is something Kasar has always been gifted at. For instance after Kasar returned most of the Mamluk army was under the illusion that the Funj army consisted of a thousand fruit throwers carrying nothing but fruit which they hurled at the enemy in the hope they would retreat. The army was won over by his talk of riches, land and glory… only a month after he returned the army marched south and not just to explore. The quest for a new land had begun.
Kasar led his forces into Dongola while mercenaries, hired from the two hundred ducats loan which Kasar secured headed for Suakin and Berber. The Funj were equipped with more then just sharpened mangos, spears in fact, made from sharpened stone. They were however no match for the Mamluk Army, even after it had been depleted in the Ottoman wars. The Mamluk cavalry dressed in chain mail and wielding lances smashed into the Funj line slaying many hundreds of the tribesman, who had been called up to defend their homes, on impact. The rest broke fleeing, throwing down weapons and shields as they went, desperately trying to escape Kasar’s forces. After the victory Kasar moved quickly as did the mercenaries to the east. Between them in a year they conquered the regions of Dongola, Berber, Suakin, Dar Ja’al, Butana, Jaqah and the Funj capital of Gazira.
The Mamluk victory was complete and Kasar swaggered up to the palace of the King of Funj. It was a magnificent place with gold ornaments from the mines of Ethiopia decorating the walls – Kasar’s eyes darted around from golden plate to golden statue. As he informed the king of the terms of peace Kasar burst out laughing. The king merely looked at him and requested to know what was so funny; Kasar replied that at first he was only planning on taking the Funj’s land but now he thought he would take some of their gold also, after all he had a loan to pay back. The gold was carted back to the scattered houses and emerging market stalls in Nubia which were the beginnings of the great capital.
The lands of the Mamluk Empire of East Africa - 1519
Unfortunately the lands Kasar gained did not bear the riches of the palace of the king which ruled them. Other then the Ivory in Butana the lands were good for little… even less considering the stubbornness of the tribes to pay tribute to their new overlords.
Muhammad Bey, a man under Kasar also led an expedition to explore, firstly into Taka and secondly deep into the heart of the continent to the west. It was a partial success and the lands just to the west were marked and noted by cartographers and yet as Bey plunged deeper west he and his men were lost to the jungles of Africa.
The sole survivor came back gibbering words of madness, below is what he said of the expedition.
“The jungle… its hot… men dead in the cot. The red eye fever… all dead… dead… dead.”
The patient, for that is what he was by the end soon developed bloodshot eyes before dying. As he died he uttered the following.
“Coming… they’re coming… coming to kill! The drums… the drums… head hunters… coming to kill!”
From this it wasn’t hard to work out the fate of Bey’s doomed expedition.
Of the Ethiopians
For the next 6 years Kasar and the other nobles chased through the plains of their new lands, forcing people to pay taxes and slaughtering bandits to try and secure the gains of the war. After risking their lives in the bleak landscape which Kasar had promised would offer so much wealth the Mamluks grew weary. They learnt to accept the strange animal worship of the tribesmen and the Christian faith of the town dwellers and with acceptance peace came to the region, the Empire was starting to take shape.
Mamluk eyes now shifted south. While the lands of the Funj had proved barren the Ethiopian lands were not. The gold mines to the south were legendary as were the rumours of the wealth that the Ethiopian King held. While the claims are undoubtedly exaggerated riches almost certainly wait to south and so the Mamluk army moved again.
Mercenaries were employed, tough men from North Africa and while they took more then their share of the loot they were worth it for they fought like men possessed. Mamluk forces poured over the border into Ethiopian lands and swarmed over the minor garrisons that the King had organised in an attempt to repel the invasion. The Ethiopians were beaten and licking their wounds but Funj still came to the aid of their allies, if a little late. The Funj were quickly beaten again and this time made vassals of our glorious Empire. The lands of Ethiopia were also brought into the Mamluk Empire with the Ethiopians accepting their status as vassals.
The Mamluk Empire of East Africa – 1529
Kasar also negotiated an agreement with the Swahili, allowing him to scout through their lands and to the south. Kasar is an adventurer by heart and despite his every increasing years, he is now 56, he is determined to go on one last expedition. Kasar’s objectives are to see if the Swahili lands are suitable for invasion, found a colony in the region known as Majerteen and explore the jungles inland from Swahili settled areas.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Jungles of Ujiji 1530 – Kasar’s Camp
The rain beat down and Kasar sat propped against a tree on the edge of his camp. The drums were all around them… sometimes nearer… sometimes further away. He grimaced as he moved to stand up, a shot of pain in his hip where arthritis had set in.
Had it really come to this? Would the founder of the new Mamluk Empire really to die to some stinking natives?
Kasar didn’t ponder for long – an arrow struck a man in the leg standing just 10 yards from him. The man swayed slightly then collapsed dead. The poison on the tip of the arrowhead had fulfilled its purpose. Then the drums boomed out, suddenly very close just outside the camp, and then like beasts from the jungle they came. With strange body piercings and tribal tattoos, which terrified many of the men, the natives of Ujiji charged the camp. The Mamluk forces were tired, many were suffering from the ‘red eye fever’ and so despite their guns they were overpowered. The battle was mercifully short, many of the Mamluks slain by poisoned arrows almost instantly after the fighting broke out. An hour later the Jungle floor was red with blood and Kasar lay mortally wounded, watching the natives decapitate the dead bodies of his comrades. A few moments later Kasar felt a tug on his hair and a metal blade gleamed in front of his throat – he shared the fate of his men.
Back in the Mamluk Capital of New Cairo, where a national bank had just been completed the news reached the council of nobles. The scribe, still sitting in the corner in much the same way he had all those years ago thought he was out of a job but then a man named Barquq approached and asked him to continue his work for the Mamluk Empire – the scribe agreed and again put quill to scroll.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
The History of the Mamluks of East Africa Part II
Of the Swahili
In the court of New Cairo the news of the death of the great Kasar has brought much mourning but also determination… determination that he won’t have died in vain… determination that the Swahili would be punished for tricking Kasar into the jungles of Ujiji and to his death. To this end the Mamluk nobles prepared to go against brothers of the faith and so the Mamluk war machine again began to roll!
The drums of war were sounded and the Mamluk forces gathered, ready to descend onto the lands to the south and avenge their former leader. The Mamluks had become good at defeating the other major powers in the region. Many thought this was due to the bravery and adventurer’s spirit the Mamluk people of East Africa now had in their veins. I on the other hand choose to believe the mastery of cannon and gunpowder has something to do with it. Needless to say the invasion plans were drawn up and the attack ordered.
Map showing the invasion route of the 1st and 2nd Mamluk Armies
The mainly mercenary army to the north stormed through the Swahili lands defeating the small clusters of Swahili men armed with spears along the way. They reached the meeting place in Haud within three months and set up camp – waiting for the second army to meet them. The second Mamluk army had in truth not yet made it out of Ifat where they had become embroiled in a terrible battle. 6000 Swahili warriors, with primitive weaponry but the courage of lions stood facing the 3000 strong Mamluk army. The Mamluks carried with them cannons, guns and horses and were disciplined fighting force while the Swahili were armed with simple bows and spears. However, the Swahili knew how to use the land; it was after all their home. They new where the water holes were; where the fords lay and where even a large army may hide under the shadows of caves. They moved quickly, harassing the larger Mamluk force with bows and slings, all the while luring them into Umboto Gorge.
Here, over a month after the Mamluks arrived in Ifat the Swahili stood and fought. The Battle of Ifat had begun. Small squadrons of tribesmen harried the flanks of the Mamluk forces, often using poisoned arrows. The Mamluk soldier’s morale suffered heavily and while losses weren’t that high many men now wanted to retreat, lest they be slowly whittled down. Ali Bey however who was in command ordered them to hold, they dug in while the cannon were readied, then the cannon began to fire. Death rained down on the Swahili forces and all the while the Mamluk gunners advanced, firing into the Swahili ranks. The Swahili fought hard and the Mamluks took casualties as the tribesman charged and a melee brawl followed. After two days of brutal fighting the Swahili ran – the Mamluks had won!
The Battle of Ifat
After the battle the 2nd Mamluk army carried on their march to Haud, annexing the Swahili allies of Adal on the way. At Haud they rested for a few weeks before continuing south. The Swahili were crushed and handed over all lands up the province of Lamu.
Of the Islands across the Sea
The whole of eastern Africa was now under the rule of the Mamluks. Despite the provinces rich in gold and ivory, which generated most of the wealth of the fledgling empire, there was still a severe lack of funds. Expansion to the south was possible but the fighting would be hard and the climate was less suitable. The heart of Africa was simply not an option – tales of the red eye fever spread fear throughout the land. The Ottomans were still too strong for the emerging empire to tackle and so, with the adventurer’s spirit instilled in the Mamluk people by Kasar a man named Ogan made ambitious plans and requested a ship.
Ogan intended to sail east in search of new lands and new riches! In 1546 he set sail…
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Just off the Isle of Mahe 1547 – Ogan’s Ship
Off the coast of Africa the lookout high above the ship bellowed out to the men below ‘Land Ahoy!’ As Ogan sat in his office aboard ship, drawing out maps he heard the call and leapt to his feet – land after only two weeks! Ogan made his way to the deck and gave orders to make landfall on the largest of the many islands dotted on the horizon.
Ogan’s ship, the Sultan’s Pride, drifted closer to the island carried by pleasant breezes. The weather was fine and had been all voyage. The men on board the Sultan’s Pride could just make out a small cluster of huts which triggered mutterings about head hunters to start but Ogan wasn’t worried they were miles from the jungles of Ujiji.
A few hours later the ship made landfall and the men readied their weapons, about to fire on the collection of men which had come out to meet them. The natives however simply looked back with puzzled glances and one yelled something in a strange tongue ‘Maybe they are hungry?’ A few others, seemingly in response, ran off to the village. They brought back meat, flavoured with spices which would rival any imported even to the old capital of Cairo.
It soon emerged the people of Mahe grew these spices themselves. A fortnight later, despite the protests of the men (who were sad to leave the place where they had been treated so well) the Sultan’s Pride set sail for Africa to bring news of the spice island of Mahe and the riches it may yet bring the Mamluk Empire.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
On his return Ogan told of the isle of Mahe and plans were drawn up for its colonisation.
Heartened by this success Ogan decided to make a second expedition further a field. On his second trip he found a isle named Bali, miles and miles further then Mahe, and on the isle a city inhabited by almost 50,000 people. The opportunity was too good to miss, without seeking permission Ogan attacked and defeated the army of Bali before taking control of the island. Ogan then returned to Africa… rumours and riches of the Spice Islands followed him. Ogan drew up plans for a third and final voyage, one to explore the area around Bali. This time instead of solitary ship and few men the Mamluk council equipped him with a fleet of 6 ships, 1000 men and many colonists eager for a new life in the east.
They reached the Spice Isles in 1557 and using Bali as a base of operations explored all they could. Some areas were filled with jungle so thick it would take a day to move a single mile but Ogan and his men pressed on. Some small Sultanates were also found and military access was acquired. The colonists meanwhile took to their new lives quickly, building small villages on the clusters of islands that dotted the ocean. If there was trouble with natives they would send for Ogan who quickly and normally brutally dealt with them. It wasn’t long before the Spice Isles around Bali were dominated by the Mamluks and a small but steady trickle of spices and the riches they brought arrived in east Africa.
It is now 1564, a whole 50 years since Kasar brought the Mamluk people on this great journey for a new land. There are Mamluk cities and colonies dotted over the Spice Islands and the capital is finished – all the buildings are a glorious chalk white – magnificent at dawn. The whole of east Africa has sworn allegiance to their Mamluk overlords and once again the Mamluks have an Empire! But I grow old now, my days are few, what the future holds for our Empire I know not. One day perhaps the Mamluk flag will again fly a top Cairo but my part in the tale is done…
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