Battle of Jalula
Encyclopedia
Battle of Jalula was fought between Sassanid Empire
and Rashidun Caliphate
soon after conquest of Ctesiphon.
After the capturing Ctesiphon, several detachments were immediately sent to west to capture Qarqeesia and Heet
the forts at the border of Byzantine empire
. Still several strong Persian armies were still active in north-east of Ctesiphon
at Jalula and north of Tigris
at Tikrit
and Mosul
. The greatest threat of all was the Persian concentration at Jalula. After withdrawal from Ctesiphon, the Persian armies gathered at Jalaula north-east of Ctesiphon. Jalaula was a place of strategically importance from where routes led to Iraq
, Khurasan
and Azerbaijan
. The Persian forces at Jalaula were commanded by General Mihran. His deputy was General Khurrazad
a brother of General Rostam Farrokhzād
, who commanded Persian forced at Battle of Qadisiyyah. As instructed by the Caliph Umar
, Saad ibn Abi Waqqas reported all the matter to Umar. Caliph decided to deal with Jalula first, his plan was first to clear the way to north before any decisive action against Tikrit and Mosul. Umar appointed Hashim ibn Uthba to the expedition of Jalula. Some time in April 637, Hashim marched at the head of 12,000 troops from Ctesiphon and defeated Persians at Battle of Jalula, and laid siege of Jalula which lasted for seven months before surrendering to the usual terms of Jizya
.
, forts at the border of Byzantine empire
. Strong Persian garrisons north-east of Ctesiphon
at Jalula and north of Tigris
at Tikrit
and Mosul
, were threat to Muslim invaders. The greatest threat of all was the Persian concentration at strategic fort of Jalula.
The Persian forces at Jalaula were commanded by General Mihran. His deputy was General Khurrazad
a brother of General Rostam Farrokhzād
, who commanded Persian forced at Battle of Qadisiyyah.
Jalula was a town of great strategic importance, a bottle-neck to Northern Iraq. To have Jalula under the rule meant to have the gate to Northern Iraq. Persians therefore expected an attack on Jalula. Defense of Jalula was also very important for the strength of Empire and maintain order in the far flung frontiers of the Persian Empire.
As instructed by the Caliph Umar
, Saad ibn Abi Waqqas, Muslim commander in chief on Persian front, reported all the strategic situation to Umar. Who decided to deal with Jalula first, his plan was first to clear his rear before any decisive action further north against Tikrit and Mosul. Umar appointed Hashim ibn Uthba to the expedition of Jalula. Some time in April 637, Hashim marched at the head of 12,000 troops from Ctesiphon and made contact with Persians out side Jalula fort.
At Jalula, both the flanks of Persians and Muslims rested upon natural obstacles. Diyala River
on east and broken ground on the west. Broken ground was unsuitable for cavalry and even the movement of infantry en masse was difficult and would have exposed them to Persian Fire-Power.
s and placed Caltrop
s in front of them, to slow down Muslim advance. The Persian troops intended to weir Muslims down by letting them launch a frontal attack thus exposing themselves to Persian Archers and siege engines led Artillery. The caltrops also hindered the speed of Muslim cavalry and infantry. Mihran deployed his army in classical defensive formation with the intention of launching the attack when Muslims have suffered enough and the nucleus of their power has been destroyed.
Hashim, the Muslim commander, on reaching the battlefield, analyzed that the Persians cannot be attacked from the flanks due to those natural barriers and approaching them from the front would be costly. He decided to lure the Persians out of defenses of entrenchments and caltrops. Hashim planned to launched a frontal attack and made a feint retreat under Persian fire and once the Persians are away from trench his cavalry will capture the bridge on the trench, cutting off Persian's escape route.
had attained the battle formation he ordered a general attack.
Up till now the battle had progressed as both the commanders had planned. Once Mihran engaged his troops in an open battlefield, Hashim decided to carry out his maneuver. He dispatched a strong cavalry regiment under one of his most illustrious cavalry commanders; Qaqa ibn Amr, to capture the bridge over the entrenchments. The bridge was not heavily guarded as virtually all the Persian troops available were used to assault Muslim main body.
Qaqa maneuvered around Persian right flank quickly captured the bridge at their rear. The news of a strong Muslim cavalry
detachment in their rear was a serious setback to Persian morale.
Hashim launched a frontal attack with Muslim infantry while Qaqa stuck at Persian rear with his cavalry. Persian troops were trapped between Muslim army and the natural barriers on the battlefield. Nevertheless thousands of them managed to escape and reached the Jalula fortress.
(tribute). After capturing Jalula Muslims captured Tikrit
and Mosul
, completing their conquest of Iraq.
After conquest of Iraq (region west of Zagros mountains
) Umar
decided to consolidate the conquered territory. He apparently for the time being, did not wanted further conquest. He was almost on defensive until the consistent Persian raids in Iraq made him to launch a whole scale invasion of the Persian empire.
in which Amr ibn al-Aas lure the Byzantines out of their fortifications showing a weaker front and using cavalry to outflank them. Battle of Nihawand
was no exception as Nouman ibn Muqarrin
did almost the same. Again the outflanking maneuver would be carried by Qaqa.
The tactics with which Arab fought is modernly known as Hammer and Anvil Tactics. In this an entity (most of the time Infantry in Muslim case) acting as an anvil would lure the enemy into certain area where another entity (Cavalry for Muslims) would act as a hammer and deliver the knock out punch. Almost all the Battles fought by Arab follow this general principle.
Sassanid Empire
The Sassanid Empire , known to its inhabitants as Ērānshahr and Ērān in Middle Persian and resulting in the New Persian terms Iranshahr and Iran , was the last pre-Islamic Persian Empire, ruled by the Sasanian Dynasty from 224 to 651...
and Rashidun Caliphate
Rashidun Caliphate
The Rashidun Caliphate , comprising the first four caliphs in Islam's history, was founded after Muhammad's death in 632, Year 10 A.H.. At its height, the Caliphate extended from the Arabian Peninsula, to the Levant, Caucasus and North Africa in the west, to the Iranian highlands and Central Asia...
soon after conquest of Ctesiphon.
After the capturing Ctesiphon, several detachments were immediately sent to west to capture Qarqeesia and Heet
Heet
Heet or HEET may refer to*HEET, High Entrance/Exit Turnstile*Iso-HEET, a brand of isopropanol antifreeze produced by Gold Eagle*Hīt, a city in Iraq...
the forts at the border of Byzantine empire
Byzantine Empire
The Byzantine Empire was the Eastern Roman Empire during the periods of Late Antiquity and the Middle Ages, centred on the capital of Constantinople. Known simply as the Roman Empire or Romania to its inhabitants and neighbours, the Empire was the direct continuation of the Ancient Roman State...
. Still several strong Persian armies were still active in north-east of Ctesiphon
Ctesiphon
Ctesiphon, the imperial capital of the Parthian Arsacids and of the Persian Sassanids, was one of the great cities of ancient Mesopotamia.The ruins of the city are located on the east bank of the Tigris, across the river from the Hellenistic city of Seleucia...
at Jalula and north of Tigris
Tigris
The Tigris River is the eastern member of the two great rivers that define Mesopotamia, the other being the Euphrates. The river flows south from the mountains of southeastern Turkey through Iraq.-Geography:...
at Tikrit
Tikrit
Tikrit is a town in Iraq, located 140 km northwest of Baghdad on the Tigris river . The town, with an estimated population in 2002 of about 260,000 is the administrative center of the Salah ad Din Governorate.-Ancient times:...
and Mosul
Mosul
Mosul , is a city in northern Iraq and the capital of the Ninawa Governorate, some northwest of Baghdad. The original city stands on the west bank of the Tigris River, opposite the ancient Assyrian city of Nineveh on the east bank, but the metropolitan area has now grown to encompass substantial...
. The greatest threat of all was the Persian concentration at Jalula. After withdrawal from Ctesiphon, the Persian armies gathered at Jalaula north-east of Ctesiphon. Jalaula was a place of strategically importance from where routes led to Iraq
Iraq
Iraq ; officially the Republic of Iraq is a country in Western Asia spanning most of the northwestern end of the Zagros mountain range, the eastern part of the Syrian Desert and the northern part of the Arabian Desert....
, Khurasan
Greater Khorasan
Greater Khorasan or Ancient Khorasan is a historical region of Greater Iran mentioned in sources from Sassanid and Islamic eras which "frequently" had a denotation wider than current three provinces of Khorasan in Iran...
and Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan , officially the Republic of Azerbaijan is the largest country in the Caucasus region of Eurasia. Located at the crossroads of Western Asia and Eastern Europe, it is bounded by the Caspian Sea to the east, Russia to the north, Georgia to the northwest, Armenia to the west, and Iran to...
. The Persian forces at Jalaula were commanded by General Mihran. His deputy was General Khurrazad
Khurrazad
Khurrazad was an eminent Sassanian commander during the Arab invasion of Iran. Khurrazad was brother of the powerful Spahbod Rostam Farrokhzād, who fought and died at the Battle of al-Qādisiyyah. Khurrazad is most famous for being present at the Battle of Jalula...
a brother of General Rostam Farrokhzād
Rostam Farrokhzad
Rostam Farrokhzād was the Ērān Spāhbod of the Sāsānian Empire under the reign of Yazdgird, r. 632 - 651...
, who commanded Persian forced at Battle of Qadisiyyah. As instructed by the Caliph Umar
Umar
`Umar ibn al-Khattāb c. 2 November , was a leading companion and adviser to the Islamic prophet Muhammad who later became the second Muslim Caliph after Muhammad's death....
, Saad ibn Abi Waqqas reported all the matter to Umar. Caliph decided to deal with Jalula first, his plan was first to clear the way to north before any decisive action against Tikrit and Mosul. Umar appointed Hashim ibn Uthba to the expedition of Jalula. Some time in April 637, Hashim marched at the head of 12,000 troops from Ctesiphon and defeated Persians at Battle of Jalula, and laid siege of Jalula which lasted for seven months before surrendering to the usual terms of Jizya
Jizya
Under Islamic law, jizya or jizyah is a per capita tax levied on a section of an Islamic state's non-Muslim citizens, who meet certain criteria...
.
Prelude
After the capturing Ctesiphon, several detachments were immediately sent west to capture Qarqeesia and HeetHeet
Heet or HEET may refer to*HEET, High Entrance/Exit Turnstile*Iso-HEET, a brand of isopropanol antifreeze produced by Gold Eagle*Hīt, a city in Iraq...
, forts at the border of Byzantine empire
Byzantine Empire
The Byzantine Empire was the Eastern Roman Empire during the periods of Late Antiquity and the Middle Ages, centred on the capital of Constantinople. Known simply as the Roman Empire or Romania to its inhabitants and neighbours, the Empire was the direct continuation of the Ancient Roman State...
. Strong Persian garrisons north-east of Ctesiphon
Ctesiphon
Ctesiphon, the imperial capital of the Parthian Arsacids and of the Persian Sassanids, was one of the great cities of ancient Mesopotamia.The ruins of the city are located on the east bank of the Tigris, across the river from the Hellenistic city of Seleucia...
at Jalula and north of Tigris
Tigris
The Tigris River is the eastern member of the two great rivers that define Mesopotamia, the other being the Euphrates. The river flows south from the mountains of southeastern Turkey through Iraq.-Geography:...
at Tikrit
Tikrit
Tikrit is a town in Iraq, located 140 km northwest of Baghdad on the Tigris river . The town, with an estimated population in 2002 of about 260,000 is the administrative center of the Salah ad Din Governorate.-Ancient times:...
and Mosul
Mosul
Mosul , is a city in northern Iraq and the capital of the Ninawa Governorate, some northwest of Baghdad. The original city stands on the west bank of the Tigris River, opposite the ancient Assyrian city of Nineveh on the east bank, but the metropolitan area has now grown to encompass substantial...
, were threat to Muslim invaders. The greatest threat of all was the Persian concentration at strategic fort of Jalula.
The Persian forces at Jalaula were commanded by General Mihran. His deputy was General Khurrazad
Khurrazad
Khurrazad was an eminent Sassanian commander during the Arab invasion of Iran. Khurrazad was brother of the powerful Spahbod Rostam Farrokhzād, who fought and died at the Battle of al-Qādisiyyah. Khurrazad is most famous for being present at the Battle of Jalula...
a brother of General Rostam Farrokhzād
Rostam Farrokhzad
Rostam Farrokhzād was the Ērān Spāhbod of the Sāsānian Empire under the reign of Yazdgird, r. 632 - 651...
, who commanded Persian forced at Battle of Qadisiyyah.
Jalula was a town of great strategic importance, a bottle-neck to Northern Iraq. To have Jalula under the rule meant to have the gate to Northern Iraq. Persians therefore expected an attack on Jalula. Defense of Jalula was also very important for the strength of Empire and maintain order in the far flung frontiers of the Persian Empire.
As instructed by the Caliph Umar
Umar
`Umar ibn al-Khattāb c. 2 November , was a leading companion and adviser to the Islamic prophet Muhammad who later became the second Muslim Caliph after Muhammad's death....
, Saad ibn Abi Waqqas, Muslim commander in chief on Persian front, reported all the strategic situation to Umar. Who decided to deal with Jalula first, his plan was first to clear his rear before any decisive action further north against Tikrit and Mosul. Umar appointed Hashim ibn Uthba to the expedition of Jalula. Some time in April 637, Hashim marched at the head of 12,000 troops from Ctesiphon and made contact with Persians out side Jalula fort.
Battlefield
.At Jalula, both the flanks of Persians and Muslims rested upon natural obstacles. Diyala River
Diyala River
The Diyala River after Darban-e Khan Dam:Kurdish: Sirwan, سيروان, , Persian: سیروان دیاله, is a river and tributary of the Tigris that runs mainly through Eastern Iraq but also Western Iran. It covers a total distance of ....
on east and broken ground on the west. Broken ground was unsuitable for cavalry and even the movement of infantry en masse was difficult and would have exposed them to Persian Fire-Power.
Opposing plans
Mihran, the Persian commander at Jalula, was a veteran general who had fought Muslims in Qadisiya and knew well of the Muslim's tactics. He dug entrenchmentEntrenchment
Entrenchment or Entrenched may refer to:* Military trenches with relation to Trench warfare, especially that of World War I *Entrenchment as a feature of a Constitution, making it more difficult to amend* Entrenched clause within a constitution...
s and placed Caltrop
Caltrop
A caltrop is an antipersonnel weapon made up of two or more sharp nails or spines arranged in such a manner that one of them always points upward from a stable base...
s in front of them, to slow down Muslim advance. The Persian troops intended to weir Muslims down by letting them launch a frontal attack thus exposing themselves to Persian Archers and siege engines led Artillery. The caltrops also hindered the speed of Muslim cavalry and infantry. Mihran deployed his army in classical defensive formation with the intention of launching the attack when Muslims have suffered enough and the nucleus of their power has been destroyed.
Hashim, the Muslim commander, on reaching the battlefield, analyzed that the Persians cannot be attacked from the flanks due to those natural barriers and approaching them from the front would be costly. He decided to lure the Persians out of defenses of entrenchments and caltrops. Hashim planned to launched a frontal attack and made a feint retreat under Persian fire and once the Persians are away from trench his cavalry will capture the bridge on the trench, cutting off Persian's escape route.
Battle
The battle begun with Muslim's frontal attack, after engaging for some time Muslims feint a retreat and fall back in an organized manner. Mihran, sensing the time is on hand to launch an offensive for him, ordered the entrenchments to be bridged. Once the Persian armySassanid army
The birth of the Sassanid army dates back to the rise of Ardashir I , the founder of the Sassanid dynasty, to the throne. Ardashir aimed at the revival of the Persian Empire, and to further this aim, he reformed the military by forming a standing army which was under his personal command and whose...
had attained the battle formation he ordered a general attack.
Up till now the battle had progressed as both the commanders had planned. Once Mihran engaged his troops in an open battlefield, Hashim decided to carry out his maneuver. He dispatched a strong cavalry regiment under one of his most illustrious cavalry commanders; Qaqa ibn Amr, to capture the bridge over the entrenchments. The bridge was not heavily guarded as virtually all the Persian troops available were used to assault Muslim main body.
Qaqa maneuvered around Persian right flank quickly captured the bridge at their rear. The news of a strong Muslim cavalry
Rashidun army
The Rashidun Caliphate Army or Rashidun army was the primary military body of the Rashidun Caliphate's armed forces during the Muslim conquests of the 7th century, serving alongside the Rashidun Navy...
detachment in their rear was a serious setback to Persian morale.
Hashim launched a frontal attack with Muslim infantry while Qaqa stuck at Persian rear with his cavalry. Persian troops were trapped between Muslim army and the natural barriers on the battlefield. Nevertheless thousands of them managed to escape and reached the Jalula fortress.
Aftermath
Persian suffered heavy casualties and the battle ended in complete Muslim victory. After the battle Hashim laid siege to Jalula. Persian emperor Yazdegerd III was in no position to set a relief force to Jalula and the fortress surrendered to Muslims seven months later on the terms of annual payment of JizyaJizya
Under Islamic law, jizya or jizyah is a per capita tax levied on a section of an Islamic state's non-Muslim citizens, who meet certain criteria...
(tribute). After capturing Jalula Muslims captured Tikrit
Tikrit
Tikrit is a town in Iraq, located 140 km northwest of Baghdad on the Tigris river . The town, with an estimated population in 2002 of about 260,000 is the administrative center of the Salah ad Din Governorate.-Ancient times:...
and Mosul
Mosul
Mosul , is a city in northern Iraq and the capital of the Ninawa Governorate, some northwest of Baghdad. The original city stands on the west bank of the Tigris River, opposite the ancient Assyrian city of Nineveh on the east bank, but the metropolitan area has now grown to encompass substantial...
, completing their conquest of Iraq.
After conquest of Iraq (region west of Zagros mountains
Zagros Mountains
The Zagros Mountains are the largest mountain range in Iran and Iraq. With a total length of 1,500 km , from northwestern Iran, and roughly correlating with Iran's western border, the Zagros range spans the whole length of the western and southwestern Iranian plateau and ends at the Strait of...
) Umar
Umar
`Umar ibn al-Khattāb c. 2 November , was a leading companion and adviser to the Islamic prophet Muhammad who later became the second Muslim Caliph after Muhammad's death....
decided to consolidate the conquered territory. He apparently for the time being, did not wanted further conquest. He was almost on defensive until the consistent Persian raids in Iraq made him to launch a whole scale invasion of the Persian empire.
In Warfare
The maneuver that Qaqa pulled on the Persian resemble to some extent the Tǚlǚghma Maneuver of the Mongols. The way it was intended to occupy the rear of the Persian army to create psychological disorder is just like Battle of Gupta when Genghis Khan delivered a similar maneuver. This battle is also similar to Battle of HeliopolisBattle of Heliopolis
The Battle of Heliopolis, or "Ayn Shams," was a decisive battle between Arab Muslim armies and Byzantine forces for the control of Egypt. Though there were several major skirmishes after this battle, it effectively decided the fate of the Byzantine rule in Egypt, and opened the door for the Muslim...
in which Amr ibn al-Aas lure the Byzantines out of their fortifications showing a weaker front and using cavalry to outflank them. Battle of Nihawand
Battle of Nihawand
The Battle of Nahāvand Battle of Nahāwand was fought in 642 between Arab Muslims and Sassanid armies. The battle is known to Muslims as the "Victory of Victories." The History of Tabari mentions that Firuzan, the officer serving the Persian King Yazdgerd III had about 50,000 men, versus a Muslim...
was no exception as Nouman ibn Muqarrin
Nouman ibn Muqarrin
An-Numan ibn Muqarrin was a companion of Muhammad. He was the leader of the tribe of Banu Muzaynah. The tribe of Banu Muzaynah had their habitations some distance from Yathrib on the caravan route which linked the city to Makkah.-During the Caliphate of Abu Bakr and Umar:An-Numan had several...
did almost the same. Again the outflanking maneuver would be carried by Qaqa.
The tactics with which Arab fought is modernly known as Hammer and Anvil Tactics. In this an entity (most of the time Infantry in Muslim case) acting as an anvil would lure the enemy into certain area where another entity (Cavalry for Muslims) would act as a hammer and deliver the knock out punch. Almost all the Battles fought by Arab follow this general principle.