FATH-AL-ANDALUS EPISODE 2
FATIH AL-ANDALUS EPISODE 2 WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES
It is Tariq bin Ziyad whose words and courage come before us about the conquest of Spain by the Muslims. He was not of Arab origin. He was of Amazigh (Berber) descent from North Africa. The Amazigh were white in contrast to the physical characteristics of the Africans.
Because of this, some people consider them to be European by descent. The tall Tariq bin Ziyad possessed extraordinary leadership qualities. He was a non-Arab but could speak Arabic fluently. As a result, he was an able commander of a mixed army of Amazighs and Arabs. Musa Ibn Nusayr showed foresight by appointing him as commander.
Andalus expedition of Tariq bin Ziyad:
About a year after the campaign of Tarif, in June 711 AD, a Muslim force consisting of only seven thousand soldiers under the command of Tariq bin Ziyad was left for Andalus. Most of the soldiers in this force were of Berber origin, with about 300 Arab soldiers in it. The famous general Mughis Rumi was in this army as Tariq’s assistant. The place where Tariq landed in Andalus with his army was called Linezrak. Later, its name was changed to Jabalut Tarikh or Gibraltar.
Tariq bin Ziyad in the land of Andalus:
The Muslim army first encountered resistance when it reached nearby Algeciras from Jabalut Date. The resistance force was a regional patrol force of the main force, led by Commander Tudmir. The Muslims trounced this army. Sensing the impending danger, the commander of the defeated Andalusian forces, Tudmir, immediately sent an urgent message to Roderick, the ruler of Andalusia. But Roderick was not too shocked at the news of this newcomer to his empire.
He thought that they might go to the border region with loot. But Roderick was awakened when he heard that the Muslim army was advancing towards Cordova. He quickly assembled an army and sent a solid military force under the command of Benicio, his nephew and one of Spain’s greatest generals, to resist the Muslims.
FATIH AL-ANDALUS WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES
Tariq also defeated this army. It can be said that the losses of Muslims in these two consecutive wars were not much. The news of defeat struck Roderick like a thunderbolt. He prepared another large army to counter this force. The strength of this new army was about one lakh.
Tariq was disturbed by the news of this enormous force.
He sent a message to Musa bin Nusayr for help. On receiving the message, Musa bin Nusayr sent a relief force of five thousand soldiers under the command of Tarif bin Malik. This increased the number of Muslim troops to about twelve thousand.
Historical Battle of Barbat Desert:
Roderick himself came forward with his vast army to confront the Muslims. On the other hand, Tariq found the valley of Barabat (de Guadalete) suitable for confronting Roderick and stationed there with Muslim forces. Geographically, the Barbat Valley is divided by two sides of mountains and one side by lakes.
Tariq placed the mountains behind the Muslim army and put the Muslim army in front of him. The Muslim military also had mountains on the right and the natural lake on the left. Moreover, he deployed a group of troops under the leadership of Tarif bin Malik at the valley’s only entrance to the south (behind the main army). As a result, the way for the Muslims to attack the army from the rear was also blocked.
Tariq bin Ziyad in the land of Andalus
On the other hand, King Roderick himself was leading a hundred thousand soldiers seated on a golden throne. Both armies faced each other on Sunday, the 28th of Ramadan, 92 Hijri, according to June 19, 711 AD. After eight days of fighting, the Goth forces led by Roderick were defeated by the Muslims. Roderick was killed in battle. you can also visit
Defeated Goth forces converge on Ecija, a city in southern Andalusia, to avenge their defeat. On receiving this news, Tariq bin Ziyad advanced towards Isijah. Along the way, he conquered the cities of Sidonia and Moron de la Frontera. The Goths were again defeated in a fierce battle between the Goths and the Muslims in Esija. After the conquest of Isija, Tariq bin Ziyad divided his forces into small groups and sent them to different cities, and the main force headed for Toledo, the then capital of Andalusia.
In this way, in this campaign of only three and a half years (711-714 AD), all of Andalusia except the town called Sakhratu Bulaiya (Covadonga) in the northwestern region came under Muslim rights. Through this, not only a new regime in Andalusia but also the beginning of a new era. Read more