Independent Emirates of Umayyads In Cordoba (756-929 AD)
1. AMIR ABDUR REHMAN BIN MUAWIYA
"AD DAAKHIL" (756-787 AD)
In 750 AD Ummayads of Damascus were defeated by Abbasids of Baghdad which resulted for the end of Ummayad Caliphate. Abbasids wanted to kill every Ummayad who may proclaim Caliphate. As a result almost every person belongs to Ummayad Royal family sentenced to death and killed. However few of them managed to escape and save their lives, amongst them Abdur Rehman son of Caliph Muaviya who was killed by Abbasids, successfully escaped from Damascus.
Abdur Rahman knew that there were still huge number of people in Andalus who were loyal to Ummayads. So he migrated towards Andalus with lot of difficulties and hurdles he lonely reached Africa and then to Andalus.
In May 756 AD Abdur Rahman defeated Yusuf al Fehri the last governor of Andalus and proclaimed himself as the Amir of Andalus and laid the foundation of newly Ummayad Dynasty in Andalus which last long for centuries and brings a Golden age of Islamic civilization. Andlusian people were fed up with ongoing civil war and accepted Abdur Rehman as their new ruler. To establish a new order he has to face a lot of revolts from inside and attacks from outside but he was courageous enough to successfully defeat every one and came out victorious.
He was very pious and adjudicator, he himself led the Friday prayer and addressed Friday Sermons. In 786 AD He build a great mosque in Cordaba which became the symbol of Islamic civilization for centuries.
2. HISHAM BIN ABDUR REHMAN
(787-796 AD)
After the death of Abdur Rehman I his second son Abul Waleed Hisham ascended the throne. He was very intellectual mind from his childhood and was keenly interested in learning of literature like history, etc. That's why his father choosed him instead of his big brother Sulaiman. Because of this he has to face very first war with his brothers only.
He launched military campaigns against his neighbour kingdoms and successfully recaptured Saragosa, Narbone and Gerinda. He also invaded Gelicia. His reign was a nightmare for his rival kingdoms.
Though his duration was for short period of time but marks a great importance. He encouraged literature, art and architecture, poetry, science etc. He was very much influenced by the Great Imam of Islamic Jurisprudence Imam Malik. Scholars said he was like great Caliph Umar Bin Abdul Aziz. His administration was based on the true principles of Quran and Sunnah which was the unique feature of his tenure.
He died in the year 796 AD.
3. HAKAM BIN HISHAM
(796-821 AD)
Hakam ascended the throne at a very young age, though his brothers was not revolted against him but his uncle came out against him the same fellow Sulaiman and Abdullah bin Abdur Rehman I, who were revolted against his father Hisham. Anyhow like his father he defeated them. Many other Amirs also revolted against him and he has to fight with his own people.
For His French and Christian neighbour kingdom it was a great opportunity to launch a new attack. While he was busy in fighting against rebels. French Captured Barcelona and Christians captured Girinda. This was a great loss for his kingdom. He launched a new expedition under the command of his great commander Abdul Karim bin Mughiz who fought courageously and recaptured the lost territories.
Hakam was not pious like his father he has indulged in many bad practices which sparked a great wave against him. Cordaba was the center of Sufi Saints and Scholars. They seem to be very angry on their rake ruler. They try to explain him but he refused every good suggestion and disrespected the scholars. Due to this his own people stood up against him and his rule, which resulted in huge resistance and protests in Cordaba and all of Al Andalus. To curb the revolts he blindly ordered a massacre of all who stood against him as a result there was a carnage over scholars and common people. To protect himself from rebellions he gathered a self body guard unit which is appointed at the door of his palace for 24X7.
By facing all such revolts he died in the year 821 AD.
4. ABDUR REHMAN II BIN HAKAM
(821-852 AD)
Abdur Rahman II was born in 792 AD at Toledo. At the age of 31 he ascended the throne after his father Hakam's Death. His reign was seen as a time of progress and prosperity of Umayyads in Andalus. He defeated his rivals who entered his territory like armies of Galicia, Castile and France.
At the time of Abdur Rahman II different emperors including the Roman Emperor of Constantinople send their ambassadors to Andalus and raised their wish to establish friendship with Ummayads of Andalus. Few wanted to use Umayyad power against Abbasids but Abdur Rehman refused them and maintained good relationships with the great empires of his time.
During his reign some pirates attacked on costs of Andalus and invaded some coastal parts. Soon Abdur Rehman kicked them out and he feel the necessity of a strong navy. He established industries to build war ships and strengthen the naval power which became world's strongest navy in upcoming years. He was fond of Music, during his period Music was on its zenith in Andalus he invited many famous musicians to his court. Famous musician Ali bin Naqi came to Andalus leaving Abbasids during his time.
He died in the year 852 AD.
6. MOHAMMED BIN ABDUR REHMAN II
(852-886 AD)
He ascended the throne after his father Abdur Rehman II, like his father he was interested in warfare. He made Musa bin Musa as his military commander and send him to conquer Castile, also send a battalion towards Barcelona. In between King of Galicia attacked on Andalus, Amir Muhammad himself led his army and came out to fight against this enemy. He was a military genius, he send a small unit ahead of his army, and left main army in forest, when enemies pushed them back and start chasing he ordered main army to attack from other three sides. Huge number of soldiers of Galicia killed and made prisoners.
Like his father he was also very brave, and fond of knowledge. He respected scholars, his court was full of men of art and literature like Abdur Rehman Qartabi. He died in the year 886.
7. MUNZIR BIN MUHAMMAD
(886-889 AD)
After Muhammad his son Munzir Ascended the throne. He was a brave person and died in the battle field in the year 889 AD. Very little is known about his short reign of 3 years.
8. ABDULLAH BIN MUHAMMAD
(889-912 AD)
After the death of Munzir his brother Abdullah ascended the throne. He was an incapable ruler who was not able to control such a vast empire. During his time many Amirs of different provinces revolted and declared themselves as King. Neighbor kingdom usually attacked Andalus and invade its properties. Many key ministers left Capital city and migrate to their fields and declared their autonomy. Abdullah was king for the sake of name only, no one obeys him and everyone is working according to their wish and will. It is not far away that this great Empire founded by Abdur Rehman The Great will fell down, Abdullah died in 912 AD and his Grandson Abdur Rahman III ascended the throne and regain the lost prosperity of this Great Empire of Al Andalus.
To be continued.....
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