DEPENDENT EMIRATES UNDER UMAYYAD CALIPHATE OF DAMASCUS
(713-756 AD)
Meanwhile Musa bin Nusair was leaving for French campaigns he appointed his son Abdul Aziz as the Governor of Al Andalus. He was the first Governor, but unfortunately Musa was called to Damascus and expelled by Caliph. After Musa took control over Spain and named it as "Al Andalus" his son managed it.
Then Nearly 20 governors were took the positions and run the administration during 713-756 AD. Some of them were choosen by the Andalusian and some of them were send from Damascus, few were appointed by the army at the battle field after death of a Governor in the battle field.
It was a founding reign of Al Andalus as well as a period of new Victories and a period of historic civil wars. Firstly Abdul Aziz Bin Musa made Seville as the capital but after him Ayyub bin Habib Lakhmi made Cordoba as the capital of Al Andalus which remains a capital for centuries.
During the Caliphate of Great Caliph Umar bin Abdul Aziz, Amir Samah bin Malik appointed as the Governor, and he started state developmental works in Andalus, be build various bridges, strengthen the city walls, adopted various administrative reforms and also continued military campaigns towards France. During a battle he got martyrdom and Abdur Rahman Al Ghafaqi choosen as Amir.
Battle of TOURS: (732 AD)
After Defeat at the hands of French new Governors continued their struggle towards France and successfully captured Septimania. During the time of Amir Abdur Rahman Al Ghafaqi, a decisive war took place. Amir decided to capture whole of France, and firstly recaptured Arl then Defeated Count of Acviten, he was successful in capturing Bordeaux which was a very rich city, he also invaded the provinces of Poiters.
By seeing all these Arab advancement in France, Count of Acviten asked his arch rival Charles Martel to assist him in stopping Arab invasion. Charles Martel was a frankish ruler and Founder of Carolingian Dynasty and a champion of Christianity in west. He was the illegitimate son of Pepin Mayor of Austrasia.
Charles gathered all the European including German, French and Bergan warriors at his side and stand against the Arab Armies. Abdur Rahman crossed Pyrenees and landed at Tours with his Army. A Historical battle was fought and unfortunately Abdur Rahman got Martyrdom during the war and Arab armies were dismantled and pushed back, a huge number of soldiers got killed. Historians see it as a Historical Turning point because if Abdur Rahman got victory here then Arabs will enter Europe and the World history may written in a complete different way.
CIVIL WAR IN AL ANDALUS :
In early 740s Al Andalus was broken from inside, the local Berbers who were the champions for the Spanish victories seems to be neglected by the Arab rulers. There was a inferiority feelings among Berbers that their rulers did not treat them equal to the Arabs. And to some extent Arab forget the true teachings of The Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace and Blessings upon him) that Islam never discriminate on the ground of Race or Colour, and the superiority lies with piety. Arabs gradually understand that they are superior to the Berbers.
This led to a long Civil war and bloodshed in Andalus every now and then Arabs and Berbers indulged in infighting among each other and all the new campaigns, development, progress got held and everything developed by the early rulers got ruined in this bloody Civil War. By seeing this neighbor Christian rulers expanded their rule. Charles Martel come forward and captured Lugdunum, Province, Avennis, Narbone, Languedoc, Agde etc.
Not just Arab and Berber were infighting but also Syrian and African, Syrian and Yemeni Arabs were also indulged in horrible infightings. There were many subgroup among Arabs and Berbers and everywhere was a civil war on its heat. This led to a tribal war among African tribals living in Andalus.
Hence till Abdur Rahman bin Muawiya (Ad Daakhil) reached Andalus this civil war continues and Andalus was on fire for at least 15 years.
To be continued.....
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