Mamluks were slave soldiers who served Muslim caliphs and were usually non-Muslim. They actually turned out to even become their own caste of warriors. Many a times you could see them on horseback cavalry with their short bows. Over their training period under the Muslim caliphs, they would usually convert to Islam.

From Text: The Mongol advance into Asia Minor halted in 1260 when the Mamluks of Egypt, led by Baibars, won victory at Ain Jalut. Hulegu (Mongol leader) was faced with other threats and did not resume his campaign.