The Mamluk Sultanate was a political and military regime that ruled Egypt and the Levant from the 13th to the 16th centuries. It originated from a group of enslaved soldiers, known as Mamluks, who were trained to serve in the military. The Mamluks overthrew their Ayyubid masters in 1250 and established a sultanate that became a significant power in the Islamic world. The Mamluk Sultanate is known for its architectural achievements, including the construction of mosques and schools, as well as its role in trade and culture. The sultanate successfully defended against the Mongol invasions and the Crusaders, solidifying its influence in the region until it fell to the Ottoman Empire in 1517.