Siege of Baghdad (812–813)

Infobox Military Conflict
conflict=Siege of Baghdad (812–813)
date=August, 812 – September, 813 CE
place=Baghdad, Iraq
result=Abbasid Civil War
Decisive Al-Ma'mun's Victory
combatant1=Al-Amin
combatant2=Al-Ma'mun
commander1= *Abdal Rahman bin Jabala†
*Muhammad bin Yazid al Muhallabi
*al-Samarqandi|commander2=*Tahir ibn Husayn
*Harthama bin A’yan
*Zuhayr ibn al-Musayyab al-Dabbi
strength1=?
strength2=?
casualties1=High
casualties2=Low

Siege of Baghdad was a part of a civil war between Al-Amin and Al-Ma'mun for the Abbasid Caliphate of Baghdad. The siege lasted from August 812 until September 813. ["The Armies of the Caliphs: Military and Society in the Early Islamic State" by Hugh N. Kennedy Published by Routledge, 2001,ISBN 0415250927] The siege is described in great detail by Muhammad ibn Jarir al-Tabari in his famous "Tarikh al-Tabari" (History of the Prophets and Kings). [Al-Tabari (trans. & ed. Michael Fishbein), "The War Between Brothers (History of al-Tabari, vol. XXXI)" Suny Press (1992) ISBN 0791410854, pp. 197–202]

Initial battles en route to Baghdad

After the defeat of Caliph Al-Amins’ army at the Battle of Rayy and the death of his commander Ali ibn Isa ibn Mahan, [Al-Tabari (trans. & ed. Michael Fishbein), "The War Between Brothers (History of al-Tabari, vol. XXXI)" Suny Press (1992) ISBN 0791410854] the armies of Al-Amin were in retreat moving west from Iran to Iraq back to their base camp at Baghdad. Future Caliph Al-Ma'mun's general Tahir ibn Husayn, the victor of Battle of Rayy decided to chase the retreating army. However, reinforcements from Baghdad arrived under the able leadership of Abdal Rahman bin Jabala. ["The Armies of the Caliphs: Military and Society in the Early Islamic State" by Hugh N. Kennedy Published by Routledge, 2001,ISBN 0415250927,p.109] Abdal Rahman decided to fortify himself behind the walls and gates of Hamadan.But when Tahir ibn Husayn came closer to the city, Abdal Rahman decided to come out and meet this threat head on. Twice Abdal Rahman was driven back into the city. Tahir ibn Husayn began a blockade of the city and Abdal Rahman’s forces began to shower arrows and throw stones from the city walls. Eventually Abdal Rahman was obliged to leave and ask for terms due to resentment of the people of Hamadan at the occupation and rapidly depleting supplies. ["The Armies of the Caliphs: Military and Society in the Early Islamic State" by Hugh N. Kennedy Published by Routledge, 2001,ISBN 0415250927,p.109]

Tahir ibn Husayn realizing that Abdal Rahman bin Jabala left the city decided not to waste further time in Hamadan and marched westward towards Baghdad. On his way, he reached a certain pass named Asadabad where his army was ambushed by Abdal Rahman bin Jabala. The surprise attack caught Tahir’s troops off guard. But because the army was well disciplined the infantry managed to hold them off until Tahir ibn Husayn’s cavalry was ready to attack. In the ensuing confusion Abdal Rahman bin Jabala who had dismounted his horse was killed and his army defeated. ["The Armies of the Caliphs: Military and Society in the Early Islamic State" by Hugh N. Kennedy Published by Routledge, 2001,ISBN 0415250927,p.109]

After the short delay, Tahir ibn Husayn began his march towards Baghdad again. The news of the defeat of first Ali ibn Isa ibn Mahan and now Abdal Rahman bin Jabala reached Caliph Al-Amin and greatly distressed him. It seemed to the people of Baghdad that Tahir ibn Husayn was unstoppable. Nevertheless, people in Al-Ahwaz under the leadership of Muhammad bin Yazid al Muhallabi put up a fierce resistance to the armies of Tahir ibn Husayn. After defeating the army of al Muhallabi, Tahir now reached the gates of Baghdad and at the right time too as his reinforcements arrived under the leadership of Harthama bin A’yan. [Al-Tabari (trans. & ed. Michael Fishbein), "The War Between Brothers (History of al-Tabari, vol. XXXI)" Suny Press (1992) ISBN 0791410854]

The Siege

The Siege has no parallel in warfare of the time. ["The Armies of the Caliphs: Military and Society in the Early Islamic State" by Hugh N. Kennedy Published by Routledge, 2001,ISBN 0415250927,p.109] Although the city was surrounded by walls most of the population lived in suburbs which were not. The siege was therefore not an attack on a fortified perimeter but rather street fighting, house to house invasion as well as temporary improvised fortifications. It was extremely destructive especially for the civilian population. ["The Armies of the Caliphs: Military and Society in the Early Islamic State" by Hugh N. Kennedy Published by Routledge, 2001,ISBN 0415250927,p.109] Immediately, Tahir ibn Husayn ordered the other commanders namely Zuhayr ibn al-Musayyab al-Dabbi and Harthama bin A’yan to set up camps at "Qasr Raqqat Kalwadha" and "Nahr Bin" respectively, while he set up camp at "Al-Anbar Gate". [Al-Tabari (trans. & ed. Michael Fishbein), "The War Between Brothers (History of al-Tabari, vol. XXXI)" Suny Press (1992) ISBN 0791410854] They set up siege engines, Mangonels, and dug trenches. Both sides are known to have used siege weapons. At one point, a general of Al-Amin known as al-Samarqandi used boats to transport Mangonels on the river Tigris and bombard enemy positions in the suburbs of Baghdad inflicting more damage to the civilian population than to the besiegers. ["The Armies of the Caliphs: Military and Society in the Early Islamic State" by Hugh N. Kennedy Published by Routledge, 2001,ISBN 0415250927,p.109] There were several vicious battles, such as at al-Amin's palace of "Qasr Halih", at "Darb al-Hijarah" and "al-Shammasiyyah Gate". In the later stages of the siege irregulars came to the aid of Al-Amin. [Al-Tabari (trans. & ed. Michael Fishbein), "The War Between Brothers (History of al-Tabari, vol. XXXI)" Suny Press (1992) ISBN 0791410854]

As things were getting worse and Tahir ibn Husayn pushed into the city, Al-Amin sought to negotiate safe passage out. Tahir ibn Husayn reluctantly agreed on the condition that Al-Amin turn over his scepter, seal and other signs of being Caliph. Al-Amin reluctant to do so tried to leave on a boat. Tahir ibn Husayn noticed the boat and sent his men after Al-Amin who was captured and brought to a room where he was executed. His head was placed on the "Al-Anbar Gate". Muhammad ibn Jarir al-Tabari quotes Tahir's letter to the new Caliph Al-Ma'mun informing him of Al-Amin's capture and execution and the state of peace resulting in Baghdad. [Al-Tabari (trans. & ed. Michael Fishbein), "The War Between Brothers (History of al-Tabari, vol. XXXI)" Suny Press (1992) ISBN 0791410854, pp. 197–202]

Aftermath

The end result was that Al-Ma'mun became the new Abbasid Caliph. Yet, he would not arrive in Baghdad until 819 due to the destruction and continued disturbances in the city.

ee also

* Abbasid Caliphate

Notes