A few snatches of history to further stimulate your paintbrush!

The Turkish Army at the Battle of the Nile consisted of 12,000 Mamelukes of which 4,000 were dressed in a manner similar to the gentleman on this page (description below), the remaining 8,000 being servants.

Also in attendance were 8,000 Bedouins and 20,000 Janissaries on foot. This figures are Napoleon's estimate of the forces he faced, and we all know how accurate they can be! Still they are probably not to far off the mark.

A favourite tactic of the Bedouin tribesmen, was not to dissimilar to those of the Cossacks in later campaigns. The would attack the rear of the French Army in groups of thirty to fifty, picking off straggling troops.

"..Mamelukes had a magnificent force of horsemen covered in gold and silver, armed with the best carbines an pistols of London and the best sabres of the East and mounted on perhaps the best horse of the continent." (Bonaparte to the Directory 1798)

"The luxury of the Mamelukes was great, they all wore muslin under their shirts and silk pelisses. As for their arms, the were encrusted with ivory and precious stones. They were armed to the teeth and carried four or five pistols in the belts. Their curved sabres cut like razors and cut off the head at a blow." (Captain Vernay 1798).

Mameluk c.1799

Helmet: Yellow Metal, possibly brass, shield yellow metal with variously coloured outer band and boss.

Under shirt off white / cream, under trousers white.

Over shirt, whit with numerous thin vertical red stripes.

Over trousers red. Saddle cloth - Goatskin. Remaining horse furniture, elaborate red and gold ornamentation.

Ottoman Empire