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This page is about a battle during the Arab invasion of Persia. For the Palestinian village south of Jerusalem, see al-Walaja.
Battle of Walaja
Part of Islamic conquest of Persia
Campaigns of Khalid ibn al-Walid

Map showing the region in Iraq where Battle of Walaja was fought.
DateMay 633 A.D
Location
Mesopotamia (Iraq)
Result Decisive Rashidun Caliphate victory
Belligerents
Rashidun Caliphate
Christian Arab
allies
Commanders and leaders
Khalid ibn al-Walid Andarzaghar†
Strength
15,000[1] 25,000-30,000[1]
Casualties and losses
~2000+ [1] 20,000 [1][2]

The Battle of Walaja was a battle fought in

Persian army is said to be at least three times the size of the Muslim army.[2]

Khalid decisively defeated the numerically superior Persian forces using a variation of the double envelopment tactical manoeuvre, similar to the manoeuvre Hannibal used to defeat the Roman forces at the Battle of Cannae; however, Khalid is said to have developed his version independently.[1]

Prelude

Sassanid Empire and the Eastern Roman Empire (Byzantine Empire) and thus set in motion a historical trajectory that in just a few short decades would lead to one of the largest empires in history
. After Ridda Wars a tribal chief raided the Persian towns in Iraq, with the success of these raids Abu Bakr planed to expand his empire. He started with Iraq, a rich Persian province.
Arab's deep, unreasoning fear which ran in the tribal consciousness as a racial complex and which was the result of centuries of Persian power and glory. It was important not to suffer a defeat, for that would confirm and strengthen this instinctive fear. To overcome these concern he decided that the army that would invade Persia would consist entirely of volunteers; and he put in command of the army his best general Khalid ibn al-Walid
. Muslims invaded the
Rashidun Caliphate army under Khalid ibn Walid once again set out for Hira; meanwhile the news of the defeat at the Battle of River reached Ctesiphon. The commanders of the defeated Persian armies were not only the most experienced but also said to be the most highly regarded figures at the Persian court, so Ardashir III
decided not to take any chances.

Concentration of Persian army

The

Sassanian Emperor, Ardashir III ordered the concentration of another two armies;[3] he gave this order on the very day on which the Battle of River
was fought. Following the orders of
Persian armies raised at Ctesiphon was placed under the command of Andarzaghar, governor of Khurasan. Andarzaghar was ordered to move his army to Walaja, where he would soon be joined by the second army. He set off from Ctesiphon, moved along the east bank of the Tigris, crossed the Tigris at Kaskar, moved south-west to the Euphrates, near Walaja, crossed the Euphrates
and established his camp at Walaja.

On his way to Walaja, the Persian general picked up thousands of

Rashidun Caliphate army in one great battle. Bahman moved on a separate route to Andarzaghar's. [5]
From Ctesiphon, he marched south between the two rivers, heading directly for Walaja, but he left Ctesiphon several days after the first army started marching, causing delays.

Preparation of the Muslim army

The

Arab traitors who were hostile to the Persians. The agents informed Khalid about the concentration of new Persian armies in the area of Walaja and their much greater numbers. Khalid had to get to Hira
, and Walaja was directly on his route. With an army of about 15,000 men, Khalid set off in the direction of Hira, moving at a fast pace along the south edge of the great marsh. A few days before Bahman was expected, the Muslim army appeared over the eastern horizon and camped a short distance from Walaja.

Maneuver of Khalid

Great numbers of

Sassanian Persians who had fled from earlier battles took up arms again. The survivors of the Battle of Chains joined Qarin and fought at the Battle of River. The survivors of the Battle of River
joined Andarzaghar and were now moving towards Walaja. The Muslims faced two concerns, one strategic and one tactical:

  1. The strategic: Two Persian armies were about to combine to oppose them.
    Khalid ibn Walid
    determined to advance rapidly, fight, and eliminate one army (Andarzaghar's) before the other army (Bahman's) arrived on the scene.
  2. The tactical: Prevent enemy warriors from escaping battle to regroup and continue fighting. To accomplish this, Khalid decided to surround the
    Sassanid army, attack them from the rear, and annihilate their army in the field. Khalid's strategy was a variation of the double envelopment
    tactic.

Khalid gave instructions to Suwaid bin Muqarrin to see to the administration of the conquered districts with his team of officials, and posted detachments to guard the lower Tigris against possible enemy crossings from the north and east and to give warning of any fresh enemy forces coming from those directions. [7]

Battlefield

The battlefield consisted of an even plain stretching between two low, flat ridges, which were about 2 miles apart and 20 to 30 feet in height. The north-eastern part of the plain ran into a barren desert. A short distance beyond the north-eastern ridge flowed a branch of the Euphrates now known as the River Khaseef.

The Battle

Andarzaghar, presumably was confident of victory, and didn't even bother to withdraw to the river bank, a mile away, so that he could use the river to guard his rear.[1] On May 633, the armies deployed for battle, each with a center and wings. The

Persian army. The center of the battlefield, i.e. the mid-point between the two armies, was about 2 miles south-east of the present Ain-ul-Muhari, and 35 miles south-east of present Najaf
and 6 miles south-east to the present Ash Sinafiyah.

Most of the Muslim forces were infantry, with few cavalry. The Persians had expected Khalid's army to be much larger.

The night before the Battle of Walaja, Khalid had sent for two of his officers - Busr bin Abi Rahm and Saeed bin Marra - making them each the commander of a mobile striking force of about 2,000 cavalry and instructing them as follows:

  1. They would take their cavalry out during the night and move wide around the south of the Persian camp.
  2. On arrival on the far side of the ridge which stretched behind the Persian camp, they would conceal their men but keep them ready to move at short notice.
  3. When battle was joined in the morning, they would keep their men mounted behind the crest of the ridge and position observers to watch for Khalid's signal.
  4. When Khalid gave the signal, the two striking forces would charge the Persian army in the rear, each group echeloned a bit to one flank.[8]

Necessary orders were issued by Khalid to those who had to know of the plan, so that the organisation and preparation of the striking forces could be carried out without a hitch; but the utmost secrecy was maintained and the Muslim rank and file knew nothing of the planned double envelopment manoeuvre. }}

  
Sassanid Persian army


Khalid ibn Walid's variation of the double envelopment
tactical manoeuvre at Battle of Walaja. The Muslims surrounded and destroyed the Persians.]]

Khalid formed up the rest of his army, about 10,000 strong, in front of the

Sassanid army had reserves which they employed to replace their men in the front line, giving them the upper hand over the Muslim army and helping them to carry out their scheme to wear out the Muslim army. During this time, Khalid is said to have dueled with a Persian champion of gigantic proportions known as Hazar Mard and killed him, which was a psychological victory for the Muslims.[9][10]
The first phase was over. The second phase of the battle began with the
Sassanid Persian army. Perhaps seeing signs of fatigue from the Muslim soldiers, Andarzaghar judged that this was the right moment for his counter-attack. At his command the Sassanians supported by Persian heavy cavalry
surged forward and struck at the Muslims. The Muslims were able to hold them for some time, but the Persians pressed on. The vaguely retreating Muslim army had to hold back the attack until further instructions from
Khalid ibn Walid
.

Khalid eventually gave the signal to press forward. The next moment, over the crest of the ridge which stretched behind the Sassanian army appeared two divisions of mounted warriors-one behind the Persian left, the other behind the Persian right. Muslims light cavalry, that could charge at incredible speed, and could successfully attack retreat maneuver and attack again, was no match for Persian heavy cavalry. Routing the Persian cavalry, the two mounted columns started encircling the Persian army. The main body of Muslim army under Khalid ibn al-Walid resumed the attack against the Persian front, at the same time extending its flanks to join hands with the cavalry and completely surround the Persians. The army of Andarzaghar was caught in a trap and could not escape. Recoiling from the assaults that came from all directions, the

Arabian desert instead of the Euphrates
region and died of thirst.

Aftermath

After the battle Khalid brought his exhausted men together. He realized that the battle had imposed a terrible strain upon his troops, despite their sound victory over the

Muslim
morale remained high.

Khalid is said to have addressed his men in thefollowing words. He started by praising Allah and calling his blessings upon Muhammad.

After annihilating another army of

Persian Empire.[14]

References

  1. ^
    ISBN 0-7101-0104-X
    .
  2. ^ a b Campaigns in Eastern Iraq, "Khalifa Abu Bakr", Companion of the Prophet. Virtual library of Witness-Pioneer.
  3. ^ The Challenge to the Empires By Khalid Yahya Blankinship, Ṭabarī, pg. 19
  4. ^ Iraq After the Muslim Conquest By Michael G. Morony, pg. 224
  5. ^ The Challenge to the Empires By Khalid Yahya Blankinship, Ṭabarī, pg. 19
  6. ^ Annals of the Early Caliphate By William Muir, pg. 75
  7. ^ Annals of the Early Caliphate By William Muir, pg. 75
  8. ^ Tabari: Vol: 2, page: 559.
  9. ^ Tabari: Vol: 2, page no: 560.
  10. ^ Abu Yusuf: page no: 142.
  11. ^ Annals of the Early Caliphate By William Muir, pg. 75
  12. ^ Annals of the Early Caliphate By William Muir, pg. 75
  13. Islamic conquest of Persia
    .
  14. Islamic conquest of Persia
    .

Online resources

External links


Category:History of Islam Category:Battles of Khalid ibn Walid Category:Battles involving the Sassanid Empire Category:Battles involving the Rashidun Caliphate

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