This unit was created in 1799 as a company of mounted Syrian Janissaries. Renamed Mamelukes de la Republique on 26 October 1800, they received their imperial title in 1804. During Napoleon's exile in Elba the Mamelukes were incorporated into the Corps Royal des Chasseurs de France and were reformed on 24 April 1815.

In 1800 the Mamelukes were formed into three companies of 100 men each. A year later the three companies were amalgamated to form a single squadron of 250 men. In December 1803 this squadron was attached to the Chasseurs a Cheval. The squadron now contained just 123 of all ranks, organised as follows:

One Capitain-commandant, one Adjutant-sous-lieutenant, one Chirugien-major, one veterinary surgeon, one master-saddler, one master-tailor, one master-armourer, two Capitaines, two Lieutenants, two sous-lieutenants, one Marechal des logis chef, eight Marechaux des logis, one Fourrier, ten brigadiers, two trompettes, two Marechauxferrants, and eighty-five Mamelukes.

A porte-6tendard, four porte-queues, one brigadier-trompette and four more brigadiers were added to the squadron in 1806. In 1813 the squadron was again increased to 250 men formed into two companies, the 1st company ranking as Old Guard, the 2nd company being classified Young Guard.

More Imperial Guard Cavalry Organization and Composition

Grenadiers a Cheval
Chasseurs a Cheval
Mamelukes
Dragons de l'Imperatrice
Chevau-Leger Lanciers
Lanciers de Berg
Gardes d'Honneur
Gendarmerie d'Elite
Eclaireurs
Tartares Lithuaniens