Mamluk Red Sea Trade

Timeline

1. 1330–1336Aydhab · SudanLuxuries such as pepper, spices, silk, and pearls were transshipped from India and Yemen via Aden, carried by Karimi merchant fleets to the Red Sea west-coast ports of Aydhab, Quseir, or Jeddah, then overland into Egypt.
2. 1336–1340Jeddah · HejazJeddah grew in importance as the gateway port to Mecca; goods unloaded there were carried by camel caravan across the Arabian Desert to the Karimi funduq in Cairo, then distributed to Mediterranean and European markets. The Sharif of Mecca and the Mamluks shared tariff revenues.
3. 1336–1340Cairo · EgyptThe Mamluks maintained their strategic interest in Red Sea trade by securing caravan routes, managing port tariffs, and conducting diplomacy with the rulers of Yemen. In the 1330s trade was still dominated by Karimi merchants; state monopoly policies were only significantly strengthened later in the 15th century under Barsbay.