Damned Golden Horde... I guess you'll need to go heavy on infantry after all. But wait a second, that's not Early anymore, that's High. Isn't the Crossbow available and even the Arbalest likewise? You'll need these against the Horde, Desert Archers will fall way flat. Also means that Mamluk cav can have its use given the armoured mongol heavy cavalry and warriors. Do camels get their bonus in the provinces where the Golden Horde likes to appear? If yes, they could be worth spamming.

Also - Mithrandir would approve - don't underestimate the lowly Bedouin Camel Warrior.
God, I was reminded of that almost the hard way today as the danged camels nearly cost me a battle that I thought was in the basket. They are such a pain in the butt if you have a lot of cavalry. And what were you saying about the Mamluk cavalry Empirate, they routed my General's unit of Feudal Knights like it was nobody's business.