Battle of River

Last updated
Battle of the River
Part of Islamic conquest of Persia and
Campaigns of Khalid ibn al-Walid
DateApril 633
Location
Result Rashidun Caliphate victory [1]
Belligerents
BlackFlag.svg Rashidun Caliphate Derafsh Kaviani flag of the late Sassanid Empire.svg Sasanian Empire
Commanders and leaders
BlackFlag.svg Khalid ibn al-Walid Karen 
Kavad 
Anoshegan 
Strength
17,000 Unknown
Casualties and losses
Very low 30,000 [lower-alpha 1] [2]

The Battle of the River, also known as Battle of Al Madhar, took place in Mesopotamia (Asoristan Province) between the forces of the Rashidun Caliphate and the Sasanian Empire. Muslims, under Khalid ibn al-Walid's command, defeated the numerically superior Sasanian army.

Contents

Prelude

The Islamic prophet Muhammad died on 8 June 632, and Abu Bakr succeeded him as first Caliph. Abu Bakr's Caliphate lasted for 27 months, during which he crushed the rebellion of the Arab tribes throughout Arabia in the successful campaign against apostasy and restore the authority of Medina over Arabia. Once the rebellions had been put down, Abu Bakr began a war of conquest. He launched campaigns against the Sassanid Empire and the Byzantine Empire (Eastern Roman Empire) and thus set in motion a historical trajectory that in just a few short decades would lead to one of the largest empires in history.

After the Ridda Wars, a Muslim tribal chief raided the Persian frontier towns in Iraq. After the success of these raids Abu Bakr planned to expand his empire. He started with Iraq, a rich Persian province. After centuries of Persian power and glory, it was important for Abu Bakr's expedition to not to suffer a defeat, for that would confirm and strengthen the fear for the Persian military strength. To overcome these concerns he decided that the army that would invade Persia would consist entirely of volunteers. He put in command of the army his best general Khalid ibn al-Walid. Muslims invaded the Sassanid Persian Empire in April 633 and defeated the Sassanid army in the Battle of Chains, where the Marzbān (provincial governor) Hormuz was killed by Khalid ibn al-Walid in a duel.[ citation needed ]

Background

Before the Battle of Chains, the Marzbān Hormuz wrote to the emperor about the threat from Arabia and concentrated an army for the battle, consisting of a large number of Christian Arab auxiliaries, and before the battle the emperor sent a big army led by a top-ranking general by the name of Qarin, his role was to protect Uballa which was an important port of the Persian Empire in case the Muslims defeated Marzbān Hormuz.

Battle preparation

Persian preparation

After the Battle of Chains the force of the Persian army led by the officers commanding the wings Qubaz and Anoshagan joined Karinz's army. Survivors from the Battle of Chains had informed commanding officers of how Persian veterans had abandoned them and joined the Muslim forces allowing the Muslims to fill up their lines with experienced Persian veterans who converted to Islam and would face inexperienced conscripts, the idea would lead many to abandon the cause and return home. Karinz panicked and chose to fight out of Uballa in a place called Al Madhar, knowing the Persian veterans who had converted to Islam would not know the area. Karinz chose this place because it was near the Euphrates River making it easier for the Persian regulars to arrive with ease.

Muslim preparation

Khalid knew that the Persians had organised their army in Al Madhar, so he led the army, and sent a small detachment led by Al-Muthanna ibn Haritha. The aim was to arrive before the Persian forces could gather their strength and strike them whilst weak and unprepared, like most battles this tactic would allow Khalid to exploit and execute many maneuvers before experienced armies could react. When Khalid arrived, he saw Persian ships still arriving at the edge of the river, and immediately understood that the Persian Army was still unprepared and not ready for battle. The Arab aim was to strike before the more experienced veterans would arrive.

Battle

Khalid faced the Persians with about 17,000 men. The two armies formed up for battle. Qubaz and Anushjan commanded the wings of Persian army while Qarin who was 100,000 dirhams General, kept the centre. Persian army was deployed with the river close behind to it with fleets of boats ready at the near bank to facilitate withdrawal. Khalid also deployed with the centre and wings, again appointing Asim bin Amr and Adi bin Hatim as the commander of the wings.

The battle began with three duels. The first to step forward and call out a challenge was Qarin. As Khalid urged his horse forward, another Muslim Maqal bin Al Ashi, rode out of the Muslim front rank and made for Qarin. Maqal reached Qarin before Khalid and since he was accomplished swordsman and quite able to fight in the top-class champions, Khalid did not call him back. They fought and Maqal killed Qarin. [3] Afterwards, the other two generals, Qubaz and Anushjan came forward and gave the challenge for single combat. The challenge was accepted by the commanders of the Muslim wings, Asim and Adi. Asim killed Anushjan and Adi killed Qabuz. [3] As the Persian generals fell, Khalid gave the order for a general attack and the Muslims rushed forward to assault the massed Persian army. [3]

The Persian army here now lost all the top generals, yet the men fought bravely and were able to hold the Muslim attacks for a while. But because of the absence of able generals, disorder and confusion soon became apparent in the Persian ranks. Eventually, under the continued Muslim attacks, the Persian army lost all cohesion, turned about and made for river bank. 30,000 Persians were killed in this battle. [2]

Aftermath

After the Battle of River, Khalid defeated the Persian armies in three more battles (battle of Walajabattle of Ullaisbattle of Hira) and captured his objective: Al-Hirah. The first Muslim invasion of Iraq was completed within four months. Abu Bakr didn't direct Khalid to move deeper into the Sassanid territory, and after nine months he sent him to command the invasion of Byzantine Empire on the Syrian front.

Notes

  1. Akram cites al-Tabari for Sasanid casualty figure. [2]

Related Research Articles

The 630s decade ran from January 1, 630, to December 31, 639.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">634</span> Calendar year

Year 634 (DCXXXIV) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Julian calendar. The denomination 634 for this year has been used since the early medieval period, when the Anno Domini calendar era became the prevalent method in Europe for naming years.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Battle of the Yarmuk</span> 636 CE conflict between the Rashidun Caliphate and Byzantine Empire

The Battle of the Yarmuk was a major battle between the army of the Byzantine Empire and the Arab Muslim forces of the Rashidun Caliphate. The battle consisted of a series of engagements that lasted for six days in August 636, near the Yarmouk River, along what are now the borders of Syria–Jordan and Syria-Israel, southeast of the Sea of Galilee. The result of the battle was a decisive Muslim victory that ended Roman rule in Syria after about seven centuries. The Battle of the Yarmuk is regarded as one of the most decisive battles in military history, and it marked the first great wave of early Muslim conquests after the death of the Islamic prophet Muhammad, heralding the rapid advance of Islam into the then-Christian/Roman Levant.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Muslim conquest of Persia</span> 7th-century conquest of the Sassanid Empire

The Muslim conquest of Persia, also called the Muslim conquest of Iran, the Arab conquest of Persia, or the Arab conquest of Iran, was a major military campaign undertaken by the Rashidun Caliphate between 632 and 654. As part of the early Muslim conquests, which had begun under Muhammad in 622, it led to the fall of the Sasanian Empire and the eventual decline of Zoroastrianism, which had been predominant throughout Persia as the nation's official religion. The persecution of Zoroastrians by the early Muslims during and after this conflict prompted many of them to flee eastward to India, where they were granted refuge by various kings.

Battle of Namaraq 13AH was a conflict between Muslims and the Sasanians that occurred in Namaraq, near modern-day Kufa (Iraq). During the Khilafat of Abu Bakr, Muslims under the command of Al-Muthanna ibn Haritha and Khalid bin Walid conquered Al-Hirah, a part of the Persian Empire. The Persians became furious and determined to recover Al-Hirah from the Muslims. Rostam Farrokhzād, a famous Sasanian general, sent some of his relatives from the Ispahbudhan family, the most notable one being Jaban, along with some Persian generals. Khalid bin Walid had already left for Syria so Muthanna had to fight alone. Umar sent Abu Ubaid with reinforcements. In the battle that followed the Persians were defeated.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Battle of Walaja</span> 633 battle

The Battle of Walaja was fought in Mesopotamia (Iraq) in May 633 between the Rashidun Caliphate army under Khalid ibn al-Walid and Al-Muthanna ibn Haritha against the Sassanid Empire and its Arab allies.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Battle of Ayn al-Tamr</span> 633 battle

The Battle of Ayn al-Tamr took place in modern-day Iraq (Mesopotamia) between the early Muslim Arab forces and the Sassanians along with their Arab Christian auxiliary forces. Ayn al-Tamr is located west of Anbar and was a frontier post which had been established to aid the Sassanids.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Battle of Muzayyah</span> Battle between Caliphate and Sassanids in 633

Battle of Muzayyah was between the Muslim Arab army and the Sasanian Empire. When Khalid ibn Walid left from Ayn al-Tamr to Dumat Al-Jandal for the help of Iyad ibn Ghanm, the Persian court believed that Khalid had returned to Arabia with a large part of his army. The Persians decided to throw the Muslims back into the desert and regain the territories and the prestige which the Persian Empire had lost. The Persians had resolved not to fight Khalid again, but they were quite prepared to fight the Muslims without Khalid ibn al-Walid.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Battle of Saniyy</span> Battle between Caliphate and Sassanids in 633

Battle of Saniyy was between the Muslim Arab army and the Sasanian Empire. When Khalid ibn Walid gone from Ayn al-Tamr to Dumat Al-Jandal for the help of Iyad ibn Ghanm, The Persian court believed that Khalid had returned to Arabia with a large part of his army, Persians decided to throw the Muslims back into the desert and regain the territories and the prestige which the Empire had lost. The Persians had resolved not to fight Khalid again, but they were quite prepared to fight the Muslims without Khalid ibn al-Walid. Khalid ibn al-Walid first defeated them at the battle of Muzayyah and then advanced towards Saniyy.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Battle of Firaz</span> Part of the early Muslim conquests (633–634)

The Battle of Firaz also known as Battle of Firad, took place around January 634 between the Rashidun Caliphate and the combined armies of the Sasanian Empire and the Byzantine Empire. It ended with a Rashidun victory, concluding the first Arab invasion of Mesopotamia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Muslim conquest of the Levant</span> 7th-century conquest by the Rashidun Caliphate

The Muslim conquest of the Levant, or Arab conquest of Syria, was a 634–638 CE invasion of Byzantine Syria by the Rashidun Caliphate. A part of the wider Arab-Byzantine Wars, the Levant was brought under Arab Muslim rule and developed into the provincial region of Bilad al-Sham. Clashes between the Arabs and Byzantines on the southern Levantine borders of the Byzantine Empire had occurred during the lifetime of Muhammad, with the Battle of Muʿtah in 629 CE. However, the actual conquest did not begin until 634, two years after Muhammad's death. It was led by the first two Rashidun caliphs who succeeded Muhammad: Abu Bakr and Umar ibn al-Khattab. During this time, Khalid ibn al-Walid was the most important leader of the Rashidun army.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Battle of Ullais</span> 633 CE engagement between Rashidun and Sassanian forces

The Battle of Ullais was fought between the forces of the Rashidun Caliphate and the Sasanian Persian Empire in the middle of June 633 AD in Iraq, and is sometimes referred to as the Battle of Blood River since, as a result of the battle, there were enormous amounts of Persian Sasanian and Arab Christian casualties.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Battle of Bosra</span> 634 CE conflict between the Rashidun Caliphate and Byzantine Empire

The Battle of Bosra was fought in 634 CE between the Rashidun Caliphate army and the Byzantine Empire over the possession of the city of Bosra, in Syria. The city was one of the Islamic forces' first significant captures and was at the time the capital of the Ghassanids, Arab vassals of the Byzantines. The siege took place between June and July.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rashidun Caliphate</span> First Islamic caliphate (632–661)

The Rashidun Caliphate was the first caliphate to succeed the Islamic prophet Muhammad. It was ruled by the first four successive caliphs of Muhammad after his death in 632 CE. During its existence, the empire was the most powerful economic, cultural, and military force in West Asia and Northeast Africa.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Siege of Damascus (634)</span> Part of the Muslim Conquest of Syria

The siege of Damascus (634) lasted from 21 August to 19 September 634 before the city fell to the Rashidun Caliphate. Damascus was the first major city of the Eastern Roman Empire to fall in the Muslim conquest of Syria.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Battle of Chains</span> 7th-century battle during the Muslim conquest of Persia

The Battle of Sallasil, often referred to as the Battle of Chains, was the first battle fought between the Rashidun Caliphate and the Sasanian Persian Empire in April 633. The battle was fought in Kazima by the forces of Khalid ibn al-Walid and the Persians under Hormozd. It was fought soon after the Ridda Wars were over and the Arabian Peninsula was united under the authority of the Caliph Abu Bakr. Indeed, it was the first battle of the Rashidun Caliphate in which the Muslim army elected to extend its frontiers outside of Arabia, thus initiating the Arab conquests.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Battle of al-Qadisiyyah</span> 636 CE battle during the Muslim conquest of Persia

The Battle of al-Qadisiyyah was an armed conflict which took place in 636 CE between the Rashidun Caliphate and the Sasanian Empire. It occurred during the early Muslim conquests and marked a decisive victory for the Rashidun army during the Muslim conquest of Persia.

Al-Qaʿqāʿ ibn ʿAmr ibn Mālik Al-Tamīmī was an Arab Muslim commander and general in the Rashidun army who belonged to the tribe of Banu Tamim. He and his tribe converted to Islam possibly during the time of Ahnaf ibn Qais. He is known as a successful military commander who took part in two important victorious battles in the early Muslim Conquest, the Battle of Yarmouk against the Byzantine Empire and the Battle of al-Qadisiyyah against the Sassanian Empire which was led by Sa`d ibn Abi Waqqas. The Caliph Abu Bakr praised him as an equal to eleven thousand men so in return the caliph's successor, caliph Umar, only sent Qaʿqāʿ and a handful of bodyguards in the first wave of reinforcements to Al-Qadissiyah. Qaʿqāʿ was one of the most illustrious military figures of his era.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Arab conquest of Mesopotamia</span> 633–638 AD invasion of the Sasanid Empire by the Rashidun Caliphate

The Arab conquest of Mesopotamia was carried out by the Rashidun Caliphate from 633 to 638 AD. The Arab Muslim forces of Caliph Umar first attacked Sasanian territory in 633, when Khalid ibn al-Walid invaded Mesopotamia, which was the political and economic centre of the Sasanian state. From 634 to 636 AD, following the transfer of Khalid to the Byzantine front in the Levant, the hold of Arab forces on the region weakened under the pressure of Sasanian counterattacks. A second major Arab offensive in 636 and ended in January 638 with the capture of Mosul and the consolidation of Arab control over and exclusion of Sasanid influence from the whole Mosul-Tikrit region.

The siege of Ctesiphon took place from January to March, 637 between the forces of Sasanian Empire and Rashidun Caliphate. Ctesiphon, located on the eastern bank of the Tigris, was one of the great cities of Persia, the imperial capital of the Parthian and Sassanid Empires. The Muslims managed to capture Ctesiphon ending the Persian rule over Mesopotamia.

References

Sources