Journal of Food, Agriculture and Environment

The agriculture in Egypt during the medieval ages: A focus on Mamluk period

Author(s):

Wan Kamal Mujani ¹ *, Wan Mohd Hirwani Wan Hussain ², Noor Inayah Yaakub ³

Recieved Date: 2013-03-20, Accepted Date: 2013-09-20

Abstract:

Agriculture was the mainstay of the economy for all the dynasties established in Egypt and the Mamluk sultanate was no exception. The Nile is the main source of agricultural prosperity since this country has a dry climate and consists wholly of desert. The peasants during the Mamluk period had their own unique knowledge of agricultural practice which they inherited from pre Islamic times. It is the main aim of this article to examine in detail the agricultural situation of the Circassian Mamluks in Egypt from 872/1468 to 922/1517 by discussing the factors which affected and undermined the economy during that time. This article finds that there were some changes in the agricultural sector in Egypt during the period under consideration. There was a reduction in the size of cultivated areas, a decrease in the number of villages and a diminution in the‘ibra (an annual revenue) and the land tax compared to the previous period. The prices of crops also showed a gradual increase. During this time, the Mamluks imported certain agricultural producs for their own consumption and for the purpose of re-export to other countries. Two main factors, human factor and natural factor, have been identified as causing the weakening of agriculture in Egypt during that time.

Keywords:

Agriculture, Egypt, Mamluk, human factors, natural disasters

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Journal: Journal of Food, Agriculture and Environment
Year: 2013
Volume: 11
Issue: 3&4
Category: Agriculture
Pages: 1160-1165

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