Military Administration

Military administration in the early days of Islam

In the early days of Islam there was no standing army. On the occasion of any battle contingents were raised from the various tribes, and such contingents were disbanded when the battle was over. No regular salaries were paid to those who fought. Those who took part in a battle were compensated by the distribution of the spoils of war among them. Organization of the army as a State department

The army was organized as a State department under Umar. A register of male adults who could be called to war was prepared tribewise, and a scale of salaries was fixed. All registered men were divided into two categories, those who formed the standing army, and those who lived in their home,, but were liable to be called to colors whenever necessary.

Military centers called "Jund" were set up at Kufa, Basra, Fustat, Damascus, Jordan and Palestine. Cantonments were established in important cities of strategic importance. Here barracks were constructed for the residence of troops. Big stables were provided for stabling the horses and other animals of the army. A separate commissariat department was set up to attend to the food supply problems of the army units. Pay was paid to the army in the month of Moharrum. The allowances were paid at the harvest time. Every tribal unit was under a tribal leader called 'Areef. A group of 'Areefs was in turn placed under the command of an Ameer-al-Ashar.

Organization at the battlefield

On the battlefield the army operated in six wings, namely:

Qalb, the center
Maqadamah, the vanguard
Maunanah, the right wing
Alaisarah, the left wing
Saqah, the rear
Rid, extreme rear

Other Components

Other components of the army were:

Talaych or patrols who kept watch over the movements of the enemy;
Ra 'id or foraging parties;
Rukban or the camel corps
Farsan or the cavalry;
Ralil or the infantry
Ramat or the archers.

War weapons

Catapults were used for siege operations.

Dabbabah was a wooden tower which moved on wheels and consisted of several stories. It was used for siege operations.

Walls were Pierced by stone throwers and wall piercers.

Reporting and espionage

Reporters were attached to every unit who kept the Caliph fully informed about the military operation. There was a separate department for espionage, who procured intelligence about the movements and activities of the enemy.

General review of military operations

In the time of Uthman, the military organization set up under Umar was duly maintained. The Governor of each province acted as the com. mender of the forces. The Caliph acted as the Commander-in-Chief, and he directed the military activity under Umar, and extensive conquests were made during the period. During the time of Uthman, most of Persia, Azarbauan, and Armenia revolted and these areas had to be reconquerd. Further conquests were made. In the north the Oxus was crossed, and a greater part of Transoxiana was occupied. In the east the frontiers were pushed up to India. In the west the whole of North Africa was conquered. From North Africa the Muslims crossed over to Spain and occupied a part thereof. In the Mediterranean the islands of Cypress and Rhodes were conquered during the reign of Uthman. Under Uthman the Muslims became a naval power for the first time. They undertook some fifty military operations against the Byzantines. In the war against the Byzantines many forts were captured in Asia Minor. A campaign was undertaken against Constantinople itself, but it had to be abandoned because of the disturbed state of home politics.