On 24 October 1260, the Mamluk Sultan of Egypt, Saif ad-Din Qutuz, was treacherously assassinated by his fellow Mamluk leader, Baibars.
Qutuz had led the Mamluks to a decisive victory against the Mongols at the Battle of Ain Jalut, securing Egypt’s survival and halting the Mongol advance into the Islamic world.
However, his leadership proved short-lived as Baibars, who had been instrumental in the victory, saw an opportunity for power and orchestrated Qutuz's murder.
With this act, Baibars swiftly seized control, establishing himself as the new Sultan of Egypt and inaugurating a reign that would see the consolidation of Mamluk power across the region.
