Rejecting the Ottomans, Revisiting the Mamluks

Abstract This article queries the sociopolitical implications of a wave popular interest in legacy Mamluk dynasty (1250–1517) post-2013 Egypt. Although era’s sultans have traditionally been derided mainstream culture as tyrannical ‘foreign’ leaders, they recently reframed last nationalist rulers before Ottoman invasion. revised characterization underpins newfound fascination with their socio-political legacy, which has manifested various cultural productions, including new television series, Mamalik al-Nar (Kingdoms Fire). In this article, we analyze show’s content, its popularity Egypt, debates it generated on social media and regional production distribution networks is embedded. Through analysis, argue that series—and ‘revivalism’ to connected—is part an unresolved debate about what means be Egyptian today.