Introduction
“If you know the enemy and know yourself, your victory will not stand in doubt, if you know Heaven (it signifies night and day, cold and heat, times and seasons) and know your Earth (comprises of distances, great and small, danger and security, open ground and narrow passes, the chances of life and death) you may make your victory complete”. – SUN TZU.
In military history there are numerous examples of immediate counter attack launched during offensive and defensive battles. In every decisive battle of Muslim history, the commander had earmarked a part of his force for immediate counter attack. Even the Holy Prophet (PBUH) had also detailed a part of the force for immediate counter attack during battles the Holy Prophet (PBUH) fought against the infidels. There are examples that after suffering a setback, the commander of a force planned and launched counter offensive and ultimately successfully won the battle.
In this article some details of the brilliant counter offensive action of ASAD BIN ABDULLAH against a much stronger army of KHAKAN of TURKISTAN, during 737 AD (119 Hijra) is being mentioned. The KHAKAN had won the first phase of the battle and captured enormous booty and a great number of prisoners. The prevailing circumstances were unfavourable for the Muslims in the Northern provinces, the defeat had demoralizing effect.
Exploits of Qutiba Bin Muslim (Kotaiba Bin Muslim)
During 705-715 AD (86H – 96H) QUTIBA BIN MUSLIM had conquered Central Asia and established Muslim rule but soon after his death rebels became active because the new Muslim Governor and Residents had neglected the policies of QUTIBA. He was an able strategist, daring and relentless general. He had enlisted a great number of locals in the armed force and Jazia from the non-Muslims was sympathetically collected. At times his treatment was strict and rebels were promptly punished by imposing fines. At times, for political reasons, he would pardon local chiefs to win their loyalties.
New Governor Appointed
As the Northern provinces were in turmoil, in order to impose law and order for peace the Khalifa HISHAM BIN ABDUL MALIK as during106H appointed KHALID BIN ABDULLAH as the Governor of KHURASAN. He was very strict but honestly desired to impose justice, law and order. He was relentless but punished rebels and defaulters. The SOGDIANS who inhabited the areas to the north of the River OSUS (MAH-WARA-AAN-NAHR – the land on the other side of the river) lived in peace with the Muslims and agreed to the appointments of Residents or AAMIL in the cities to watch the Muslim interest. QUTIBA had achieved the subjugation of the whole of Central Asia to the confines of KASHGAR. But the Khalifa SULEMAN was jealous of the great victories of QUTIBA, considered him a potent threat and therefore secretly had him murdered during the civil war between the MODHRITE and the YEMENITE raging in KHORASAN. MOHAMMAD BIN QASIM, TARIQ BIN ZIAD and MUSA BIN NUSAIR were contemporaries of QUTIBA, who had won resounding victories for Islam in INDIA and SPAIN. But the same Khalifa removed them from their commands, disgraced and allowed to die as beggars, whereas MOHAMMAD BIN QASIM was made to wear coarse clothes, chained, sent to jail and tortured where he died at the age of 22 years. They had committed a crime far worse than cruelty or injustice – they had been too successful and had grown too powerful.
HISHAM had ascended the throne but according to historians, “the flower of the nation had perished either in the civil war or under the suspicious policy of a jealous court. The blind confidence reposed by the last sovereign in his ministers had thrown the government into the hands of incompetent and self seeking functionaries whose incapacity and misrule alienated the people. Here and there, a few men shone like stars on a darkening horizon for their devotion to duty, but generally amongst the official classes the old patriotism and enthusiasm for the Faith had almost died out in the pursuit of individual ambition.”
All of a sudden the SOGDIANS rose against the Arabs, expelled the Residents and massacred the Muslim settlers. In order to punish the rebels and restore law and order Khalifa HISHAM appointed KHALID BIN ABDULLAH AL-KASRI as the Governor. He was of enlightened views and himself a YEMENITE held the balance between the rival stocks with tact and judgment. He treated with kindness the Christians and Jews, repaired their churches and synagogues and threw open to them offices of emolument and won their trust. But the fanatics criticized his soft policies and law and order situation remained disturbed.
A violent conflict between MOHAR and HIMYAR broke out in KHORASAN. The SOGDIANS also rebelled because the remission of the test – tax to those people who would embrace Islam, but the deputy governor tried to re-impose the test-tax even on those who had adopted the religion. Some settlers and HARISS also joined the insurgents and serious efforts to quell the insurrection had failed. The insurgents also received support from the KHAKAN of the TURKMAN and occupied a vast area.
ASAD BIN ABDULLAH appointed Governor
KHALID, the Governor of IRAQ appointed his brother ASAD BIN ABDULLAH as the Governor of the disturbed area who with daring action defeated the rebels. For 3 years he remained the Governor and continued punitive action against the rebels and their allies forces of KHAKAN. He was harsh in dealing with the enemies and would not forgive even if they begged for mercy. The Khalifa heard the stories of his brutal actions and was forced to dismiss him during 109 H and appointed AASAM BIN ABDULLAH as the head of KHORASAN. But unfortunately rebellion broke out in many areas. During 114H KHAKAN defeated the Muslim forces and captured some areas. His armed parties would frequently raid the border areas and the Muslim rebel HARISS defeated the Governor of KHURASAN and occupied BALKH. He continued his victorious march, captured JOZJAN and attacked MERV, but AASIM concentrated a big force and defeated the rebel forces. The Khalifa was unhappy because a large rebel force had escaped. During 117H the Governor was replaced again by ASAD BIN ABDULLAH with the task of restoring law and order in KHORASAN, destroying the rebel forces and arresting the leaders of the rebels. In order to avenge his dismissal, AASSAM joined the rebels. ASAD BIN ABDULLAH immediately restored the old Residents and at the same time started collecting a large force to deal with the rebels and restore law and order in the disturbed areas.
Attack of KHAKAN on KHURASAN areas
In the meantime the KHAKAN established communication with the people residing in the north of the River Oxus and was successful in raising a formidable force. The Muslim rebel chiefs also joined the KHAKAN. They received support from the head of the TURCOMAN hordes who roamed the east of TRANSOXIANA. In 119H the KHAKAN was successful in raising a large army consisting of 40000 horsemen, each horseman had a spare horse, supplies and spare weapons were loaded on donkeys and horses. KHAKAN’s aim was to regain KHORASAN. The routes thoroughly hilly terrain passing over flowing nullahs and streams were arduous, it was winter, plain areas were rare but the troops of the KHAKAN were used to maneuvering in such terrain. For the Muslim troops it was difficult to operate swiftly in the hilly terrain during winter and had to frequently return to their winter resorts mostly fortified towns and forts.
ASAD’s Preparation for Offensive Action
“Military tactics are like unto water, for water in its natural course runs away from high places and hastens downwards. So in war, the way is to avoid what is strong and to strike at what is weak. Therefore just as water retains no constant shape so in warfare there are no constant conditions. He who can modify his tactics in relation to his opponent and thereby succeed in winning may be called a heaven-born captain.” SUN TZU
During 737 AD ASAD had been able to raise a fighting force of 20 to 30 thousand horsemen. In the military bases there was no arrangement for recruiting reinforcement and also there was no hope of getting help from the Capital. He was getting information about the preparation of KHAKAN. For clamping law and order ASAD was located about 200 miles beyond the river Oxus. It was in October 737 AD that in the area of the rebel HARISS he fought a battle and defeated the enemy force which he thought to be the main body of the KHAKAN’s army. He also captured a vast booty which had been collected by the enemy. Due to this sudden offensive action, fear prevailed over the area. Later on ASAD realized that it was a part of KHAKAN’s army. Then suddenly conflicting reports about the strength and direction of advance of the enemy started trickling in. But spies were unable to find out the enemy strength or the aim and direction of the movement.
ASAD studied the available information and relevant factors minutely and was convinced that the enemy had concentrated a large army for battle. He immediately dispatched the already captured booty, heavy baggage, supplies, cattle, treasure of gold and silver coins and old people with an escort under IBRAHIM towards MERV. He left the initiative for battle to the enemy.
In the meantime KHAKAN had dispatched a strong vanguard via KASHAN and burst into TRANSOXIANA, killing and plundering on every side. ASAD with his meager strength was unable to stop the avalanche of the KHAKAN’s advance who had driven the screen and fighting patrols which were guarding the main concentration area. He decided to cross the river BALKH (at that place the river Oxus was known by this name), a screen was sent to engage and impose delay on the enemy. With his tactical move ASAD wanted to force the enemy to cross the river and be exposed to a counter attack. Each soldier was given a sheep and supply bag to carry on his horse and cross the river speedily. But due to the fast currents and depth of the river (upto the saddles) a great number of sheep and supply bags were lost in the river. A part of the enemy force attacked the Muslim position across the river and captured a lot of booty and prisoners. At the same time an enemy force managed to encircle the heavy baggage, supply bags, the treasure and captured a great number of prisoners. It was a big set back and obviously the KHAKAN had won the first round of the battle. But the enemy showed hesitancy to continue offensive action for the complete destruction of ASAD’s forces and the enemy was immensely content to have captured a large booty consisting of supplies, cattle, horses, treasure, weapons and prisoners. Plundering by the enemy soldiers continued on every side.
Preparation for Counter Offensive
“Spies are a most important element in war, because on them depends an enemy’s ability to move. An army without spies is like a man without ears and eyes.” SUN TZU
ASAD, with the remnant returned to the fortified town of BALKH but the enemy made no effort to capture BALKH. ASAD secretly commenced preparation for counter offensive action for capturing the lost territories and destroying the enemy forces. He deputed reliable spies to collect complete information about the location of the enemy supply centers and location of reinforcements. A number of recce patrols were sent into the enemy held area who were instructed to send timely information about the movement, strength and mission of the enemy. Guides from enemy held areas were engaged to lead own patrols and subsequently during the move of forces, for action. The whole country was in the grip of violent winter; it often rained accompanied with snowfall. The enemy was certain that ASAD, as usual would not commence any offensive action during winter. JOZJAN was the main concentration centre of the enemy where the major part of KHAKAN’s army was stationed for rest.
“By discovering the enemy’s disposition and remaining invisible ourselves, we can keep our forces concentrated while the enemy’s must be divided”.
“The spot where we intent to fight must not be made known, for then the enemy will have to prepare against a possible attack at several places”. SUN TZU
ASAD wanted to surprise and deceive the enemy therefore he decided to cover the distance of 120 miles (from BALKH to JOZJAN) during dark winter nights in minimum time. He did not disclose the plan, the timings and the objective to his commanders. After offering prayers of EID-UZ-DUHA and ‘QURBANI’, ASAD most humbly prayed to ALLAH for mercy and success in the impending battle. He had about twenty thousand horsemen who were armed with light weapons and the horses were able to move fast. Heavy baggage and families were left behind. Light supply bags were carried and it was decided to live mostly on the captured land.
During December 737 (119 H) one dark night, advance to contact commenced. In front of the main body a strong vanguard advanced briskly and brushed aside opposition, speedily by passed enemy opposition enroute and continued advance towards JOZJAN. The major part of the army, during day light, kept hiding in valleys, defiles and under thick growth. Recce patrols were sent in front and on the flanks of the vanguard to obtain latest information about the enemy and the terrain. After a march of few days ASAD’s army reached the outskirts of JOZJAN undetected.
KHAKAN was certain that ASAD’s army was hiding in BALKH, his patrols, agents and outposts had failed to obtain information about ASAD’s departure from BALKH and his fast march during dark hours towards JOZJAN. KHAKAN was informed about the sudden arrival of ASAD’s army, he was completely flabbergasted, hurriedly deployed his army to oppose the onslaught. ASAD’s forces continued to attack with indomitable zeal, surrounded and inflicted heavy losses on the enemy. With a few hours KHAKAN’s army left numerous dead bodies, a great number of prisoners were taken, supplies, thousands of horses, 150000 sheep, donkeys and countless gold and silver coins were taken. The defeated army retired helter skelter over the HINDU KUSH Mountains and only a small remnant reached beyond the PAMIRS. KHAKAN was chased but managed to escape but he was killed shortly after by one of his chiefs. The news of the death of the redoubtable foe of ISLAM caused great rejoicing at DAMASCUS and all over the Muslim world.
Conclusion
ASAD BIN ABDULLAH had won a brilliant counter offensive battle against much stronger enemy and decidedly it is considered to be a decisive victory of ISLAM. The whole of KHURASAN and the lost territories were recovered. SOGDIANS and their allies including the rebels were subdued. A great number of non-Muslims embraced Islam.
For this counter offensive ASAD had applied the principles of secrecy, speed, surprise and had complete information about the enemy and the terrain. Although he had lost the first round of the battle, he remained unshakeable in the face of adversity. Above all, it was his fearless leadership and it is proved beyond doubt that fortune aids the BOLD.
Bibliography
A short history of the Saracens – Ameer Ali
Soldiers of Fortune – John Glubb
History of the Arab – Hitti
Tareekh-e-Islam – Akber Shah Najibabad
Tareekh-e-Islam – Shah Muinuddin Nidvi
Badr sey Panipat – M.A. Gilani
And many other books.
