 The "ustadar" (from the Arabic "ustadh al-dar", "master of the house") was the chief of staff of the sultan, responsible for organizing the royal court's daily activities, managing the personal budget of the sultan and supervising all of the buildings of the Cairo Citadel and its staff.The "ustadar" was often referred to as the "ustadar al-aliyah" (grand master of the house) to distinguish from "ustadar saghirs" (lesser majordomos) whose authority was subordinate to the "ustadar al-aliyah" and who oversaw specific aspects of the court and citadel, such as the sultan's treasury, private property and the kitchens of the citadel.Mamluk emirs also had their own "ustadars".