Al Andalus (Islamic Spain) (Part 3)

TAARIQ IBN ZIYAD "THE CONQUEROR" (711-712 AD) 

TAARIQ was a berber of Africa and a freed "SLAVE" of Amir Musa bin Nusair. He was serving under his military, and became the Governor of Tangier. He was the right arm of Musa. When Musa got the permission of military expedition over Spain he appointed his bravest and trusted commander Taariq over the Berber army and send to Spain.

In 711 AD Taariq landed on a Mountain which later became famous as "Jabal al Taariq" now called as Gibraltar. They landed from merchant vessels so nobody had any doubts about them and it was Count Julian who showed the way and escorted them to the new lands.

There is a famous story about Taariq during this journey that he had a dream in which he saw Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings upon him) with his companions encouraging Taariq to conquer Spain and guiding him. This was enough morale booster for him and his small army towards the new Victories.

Another story is that Before Muslim Conquest King Roderick who ascended the throne illegally as he dethroned the Visigoth Ruler, violated the the Royal custom. There is a  sacred ark in a holy  shrine of Toledo which belongs to King Solomon the shrine was closed. Every new king has to visit the shrine and add a lock. But Roderick was not a royal member he has the curiosity to know what is inside the shrine or temple. He ordered to open the door, priests and others refused and warned not to open but he opened it. He find the ark which is having few pictures of people whome they had not seen yet. They are shown as men carrying bows on their shoulders and turbans on their heads, they were exactly like Arabs of that time. He also find a writing on a wooden base as "IF THIS TEMPLE BE OPENED AND THESE PICTURES TAKEN OUT, THEN AL ANDALUS WILL BE INVADED BY THE PEOPLE SHOWN IN THE PICTURES AND CONQUERED BY THEM!".

At the very beginning TAARIQ marched his men and conquered Aljuciras after a small battle. He also captured Catajena and Tarifa. He also defeated Theodomir who is the governor of this region. After this defeat he wrote to his king that a strange army arrived at our lands we don't know where they had came from and I am unable to defeat them I request help from You. Roderick was shocked by such a news and reached to Theodomir with his brave horse riders. He has to confront the armies of Mughis al Rumi who was the champion of African conquest. After a harsh battle Roderick was defeated by Mughis.

BATTLE OF GUADALETE :
(711 AD)
By successfully capturing Al Juciras and Sidona Taariq arrived at valley of Lakuh on the ground of GUADALETE with his Braveheart men approximately 12000 in numbers. After defeated by Mughiz, Roderick roam around Spain and encouraged his people to fight against the Arabs for the sake of their lands. Number of soldiers joined him and reached at GUADALETE, and all the armies of different provinces joined too, they were approximately 100000 in Numbers!!! All most ten times more than Arabs.

Though the Spanish army was over numbered but they were not enthusiastic due to the oppression of Roderick. Specially the Royal men and sons of Visigoth Ruler. They secretly joined hands with Taariq. There was a rumor in Spanish army that Roderick is not a descendants of Visigoth and he wrongly ascended the throne which makes the army disturbed from within. The spies of Roderick informed him that these people are exactly like those who were shown in the pictures of that Ark in the temple of Toledo, and "THESE PEOPLE HAVE BURNED THEIR SHIPS AND ARE DETERMINED TO EITHER BE VICTORIOUS OVER US OR DIE", Roderick was demoralized after listening this.

Here Arabs were in a state of tension by seeing such a biggest army. But Taariq manages to encourage his men. He addresses his men as follows :
"O ARABS! WHERE IS ESCAPE? OCEAN IS BEHIND YOU, AND ENEMY IS IN FRONT OF YOU"!!!!!!!........................
With this encouraging address Arabs were determined to be victorious or die.
A historical battle was started and both armies fought courageously but the armies of right and left side which is under the command of Sons of Visigoth left Roderick in mid of war and joined Arabs. This was a decisive moment. Anyhow Roderick did not left his Men and stand in the middle and try everything to defeat the Arabs.

Now TAARIQ decided to march directly towards Roderick and gone exactly in the heart of enemy, his men followed him. Soon they reached to Roderick by seeing them Roderick managed to escaped arabs followed him but did not find his traces, some sources states that he fell in a sea and died. This was the final step the Guadalete was won by Arabs and the victory of whole Spain followed this victory TAARIQ was the Winner.

Then TAARIQ marched towards other provinces like Almadovar, Carmaona, Ecija etc was fell down on the hands of  TAARIQ.
To be continued....