<P> In 1798, the ruling Directory of the Republic of France authorised a campaign in "The Orient" to protect French trade interests and undermine Britain's access to India . To this end, Napoleon Bonaparte led an Armée d'Orient to Egypt . </P> <P> The French defeated a Mamluk army in the Battle of the Pyramids and drove the survivors out to Upper Egypt . The Mamluks relied on massed cavalry charges, changed only by the addition of musket . The French infantry formed square and held firm . Despite multiple victories and an initially successful expedition into Syria, mounting conflict in Europe and the earlier defeat of the supporting French fleet by the British Royal Navy at the Battle of the Nile decided the issue . </P> <P> On 14 September 1799 General Jean Baptiste Kléber established a mounted company of Mamluk auxiliaries and Syrian Janissaries from Turkish troops captured at the siege of Acre . Menou reorganized the company on 7 July 1800, forming 3 companies of 100 men each and renaming it the "Mamluks de la République". In 1801 General Jean Rapp was sent to Marseille to organize a squadron of 250 Mamluks . On 7 January 1802 the previous order was canceled and the squadron reduced to 150 men . The list of effectives on 21 April 1802 reveals 3 officers and 155 other ranks . By decree of 25 December 1803 the Mamluks were organized into a company attached to the Chasseurs - à - Cheval of the Imperial Guard (see Mamelukes of the Imperial Guard). </P> <P> Napoleon left with his personal guard in late 1799 . His successor in Egypt, General Jean Baptiste Kléber, was assassinated on 14 June 1800 . Command of the Army in Egypt fell to Jacques - François Menou . Isolated and out of supplies, Menou surrendered to the British in 1801 . </P>

Who are the mamluks and how did they rise to political power