battle baggage battle baggage fought forces tribes september october governor ibn invaded local ruler called aid army retreated arrived managing cross river time rearguard engaged pursuing crossed immediately attacked exposed muslim baggage train sent ahead captured main army came rescue baggage train escort suffered heavy casualties failure campaign meant complete collapse arab control valley opened background region arabic conquered arab muslims ibn muslim following muslim conquest persia century loyalty native iranian populations remained questionable princes sent petition chinese court military aid governors response launched series attacks muslims coupled uprisings native governors initially managed suppress unrest control lost arabs suffered major disaster day trying recapture half hearted efforts government local population win support soon reversed heavy handed arab actions alienated local consequently large scale uprising broke aid led losing region muslims suffered major defeat battle lost men native arab army necessitating transfer new troops iraq years lost regained independence muslim military activity north severely curtailed little campaigning mentioned contemporary sources concerns operations maintain allegiance upper valley addition authorities preoccupied rebellion broke early spread quickly gathered support large portion indigenous iranian population point rebel army threatened provincial capital arrival experienced ibn served governor brought thousand veteran loyal syrian troops managed reverse tide suppress revolt rebel leader managed escape year devoted administrative matters province important rebuilding transferred seat meantime sent remnants followers succeeded strongholds battle launched campaign rulers supported rebellion initially successful regent called aid muslim army scattered brought army allegedly strong capital days tried play sides informed expedition shortly arrival time send ahead heavy baggage train laden captives south command ibn accompanied contingent allied main muslim army remained arrival host troops broke flight managed reach ahead crossing river confused affair ordered soldiers carry sheep army brought provisions end sheep abandoned pursuing attacked arab rearguard composed tribal contingents north bank rear guard thrown army cross river panic south river believing safe pursuit ordered men set camp sent orders halt baggage train likewise set camp consulting local rulers followed advice ruler led army cross river faced scale charge allies cavalry arabs withdrew camp attacked camp turned fight according arabs servants pack saddle armour tent poles strike riders faces night departed rode south overtake arab baggage train dug trench troops managed beat attacks allies climbing hill baggage escort dispatched portion men attack camp focusing allied iranian troops rest army attacked muslims attack annihilated defenders greater troops king fell seized baggage train timely arrival main arab army saved remnant baggage train escort destruction according account launched unsuccessful attack camp following day october departed aftermath arab army returned base joined campaign disaster mainly syrian army muslim control north collapsed entirely arab governor able escape complete destruction suffered considerable casualties losses suffered command campaign particularly grave importance long term syrian army main pillar regime numerical decline meant born arabs longer completely controlled force opened way appointment native arab governor ibn succeed eventually outbreak revolution toppled regime arabs campaign winter men urging hand decided launch winter attack south hoping raise local population revolt arabs joined followers great majority native princes quickly mobilized forces managed catch small army defeat escaped capture battle struck blow prestige murder rivals short saved muslims worse successor ibn muslim armies recovered turmoil terminated chinese influence muslim dominance region secured
Battle of the Baggage