Re-Conquest of Azarbaijan

First conquest of Azarbaijan

Azarbaijan lay to the west of the Caspian Sea. 1ne region was so called because of the large number of its fire temples.

During the caliphate of Umar when the Muslims overpowered Persia, as column of the Muslim force under Hudhaifa b Alyaman invaded Azarbaijan. The Muslim force marched to Jurjan, where the local garrison surrendered after some resistance.

From Jurjan the Muslim force advanced to Ardbeei the capital of the province. The citizens did not choose to fight. They surrendered and agreed to pay the usual "Jizya".

Thereafter the Muslim force marched northward along the western coast of the Caspian Sea. In a confrontation at Bab, a port on the Caspian Sea, the Persians were defeated and the town was captured by the Muslims.

After some time on the transfer of Hudhaifa, the people of Azarbaijan revolted, and they met some initial success As a consequence, the Muslims had to abandon the advanced posts in Azarbaijan.

Thereafter Umar sent two columns to Azarbaijan to recapture the lost territories. One column was led by Bukair b Abdullah while the other column was led by Utba b Farqad. The column under Bukair b Abdullah advanced to Jurmizan. Here a battle was fought against the Persians led by their chief Isfandiyar. The town was captured by assault, and Isfandiyar was taken captive. Thereupon the Persians took to the hills; and shut themselves in the hill forts. The Muslim column under Utba b Farqad clashed with the Persian force led by Bahram, a brother of Isfandiyar. The Persians were defeated. The Muslims once again became the masters of Azarbaijan.

Utba b Farqad was appointed as the Governor of Azarbaijan. He suppressed all revolts and restored law and order.

Azarbaijan during the caliphate of Uthman

When Othrnan became the Caliph, Utba b Farqad was the Governor of Azarbaijan. Uthman made no change, and Utba b Farqad continued as the Governor of Azarbaijan. For military purposes Azarbaijan was included in the command of Kufa. When Walid b Uqba became the Governor General of Kufa he recalled Uqba b Farqad from Azarbaijan. With the withdrawal of Uqba b Farqad the people of Azarbaijan once again broke into revolt. Thus in the caliphate of Uthman the process of the conquest of Azarbaijan had to be taken up all over again.

The main military station commanding the region was Kufa where about 40,000 warriors were stationed. There were sub-stations at Rayy and Ardbeel where 6,000 and' 10,000 soldiers were stationed. Othrnan directed Walid b Uqba the Governor, General of Kufa to undertake military operations in Azarbaijan. Details of the operations are not available. In the source books the accounts are very brief and sketchy. It appears that Walid b Uqba made a two pronged attack on Azarbaijan. One column advanced to Azarbaijan from the side of Armenia under the command of Abdullah b Shabil b Auf Ahmsi. This column conquered Mauqan, Talisan, A1 Basira and a few other towns. The main Muslim army advanced to Azarbaijan under the personal command of Walid b Uqba. The rebels could not withstand the might of the Muslim force. One by one all the towns surrendered, and the Muslims once again became the masters of the whole of Azarbaijan. The Muslims amassed a good deal of booty. Peace was restored on the people of Azarbaijan undertaking to be faithful and loyal, and agreeing to pay an annual tribute of eighty lakh dirhams.