Battle of Maraj-al-Debaj

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Battle of Marj-ud-Deebaj was fought between the Byzantine army, survivors from the Conquest of Damascus and the Rashidun Caliphate army in September 634. It was a successful raid after three days deadline of peace, on the Byzantine survivors of the conquest of Damascus.

[edit] Background

Damascus was conquered by the Rashidun army after a siege lasting about one month, from 21st August to 19th September 634 A.D. It was the first stronghold of the Byzantine empire conquered by Muslims during the Muslim conquest of Syria. The conquest, though it self was by a night attack launched by Muslim general Khalid ibn Walid from Eastern Gate of Damascus, but the Byzantine commander in chief and governor of Damascus Thomas, son in Law of Emperor Heraclius wisely tricked the Muslim corps commanders on the other gates and surged for peace that was accepted by them. After the trick was unveiled the Muslim commanders suggesting that Let there be peace, because if the Romans in Syria heard that the Muslims had given a guarantee of safety and then slaughtered those whose safety had been guaranteed, no other city would ever surrender to the Muslims, and that would make the task of conquering Syria immeasurably more difficult. Khalid though not happy, but he agreed.^[2]A Greek Muslim Jonah by name, suggested Khalid to chase the Byzantines after the three days deadline of peace finished, he gave his services to guide Khalid through a short cut route to reach them as soon as possible. According to Muslim chronicles this Greek man Jonah was in love with a girl who was his fiance and was to be married with him but meanwhile the Muslim army launched the siege of city, the marriage was postponed until peace recovers. Frustrated with the long siege and delayed marriage Johan came to Khalid and informed him about a weak post on the Wall of Damascus where that night security was to be weak, Khalid with other Muslim warriors climbed up the wall and opened the gates and Muslims army positioned at Eastern gate entered the city. Jonah's fiance on listening to his conversion to Islam broke the engagement and decided to move with the Byzantines to Antioch, this make Jonah to once again to go to Khalid. The proposal of Jonah was accepted by Khalid, the plan was formulated, that they would launch a pursuit after three days, Khalid orders for preparations. When the three days grace period was over, the Mobile Guard would dash out in pursuit and go at breakneck speed. On Jonah's suggestion it was decided that all would be dressed like local Arabs, so that any Roman units encountered on the way would mistake them for such and not intercept their movement.

[edit] The Battle

The route taken by the Mobile guard is not recorded. It is stated by Waqidi that the Muslims caught up with the convoy a short distance from Antioch, not far from the Mediterranean Sea, on a plateau beyond a range of hills called Jabal Ansariya, in Northern Syria.

Maneuver of Muslim army (in red) against the Byzantine convoy (in blue).

Due to a heavy downpour, and the Byzantine convoy had dispersed on the plateau, seeking shelter from the inclement weather, while the goods lay all over the place. So many bundles of brocade lay scattered on the ground that this plain became known as Marj-ud-Deebaj, i.e. the Meadow of Brocade, and for this reason the action described has been named the Battle of Marj-ud-Deebaj, or the Battle of Meadow of Brocade. After the Jonah and other scouts established the location of the convoy without being spotted, and brought sufficient intelligence for Khalid to plan his attack, Khalid arranged a skillful plan of attacking the Byzanitnes from four different sides first a cavalry regiment from there rear at south and then another cavalry regiment of 1000 warriors at there flank from east and then a cavalry regiment of 1000 warriors from north thus blocking the way to retreat to Antioch, and finally from west to encircle them completely. After position the Mobile Guard for its task, Khalid thus showed his superb skill in the application of these military principles. The Byzantines received their first indication of the presence of the Muslim army when about a regiment of 1000 cavalry came charging at them from the south, along the road from Damascus, led by the Zirrar ibn Azwar. Half an hour later another cavalry regiment of 1000 warriors led by Raafe bin Umair, appeared from the east and stuck the Byzanitnes at there right flank, with in the span of half an hour another cavalry regiment of 1000 warriors led by ‘Abd ar-Rahman ibn Abi Bakr (Son of Caliph Abu Bakr) from north, stuck the Byzantines at the rear thus blocking there way to retreat north towards Antioch. After about another half an hour the final Muslim cavalry of 1000 warriors led by Khalid ibn Walid appeared from west and attacked the Byzantines at there left flank, now the Byzantines were totally encircled by the Muslim's cavalry. Khalid personally killed Thomas (Son in Law of Emperor Heraclius) and Harbees in a duel. After some more fighting, Roman resistance collapsed. Since the Muslims were too few to completely surround the Byzantine army and the fighting had become confused as it increased in violence, thousands of Byzantines were able to escape and make their way to safety. But all the booty and a large number of captives, both male and female, fell to the Muslims. According to a chronicle Jonah found his beloved. He moved towards her to take her by force; but she draw a dagger from the folds of her dress and killed herself. As she lay dying, Jonah sat beside her he swore that he would remain true to the memory of the bride he was not destined to possess, and would not look at another girl, When Khalid come to know about this he offered Jonah the daughter of Emperor Heraclius, who was wife of Thomas who died in the battle that day in duel with Khalid, Jonah rejected the proposal, Jonah died few years later in the Battle of Yarmouk.

[edit] Aftermaths

Waqidi noted that on their way back to Damascus, Emperor Heraclius sent an ambassador to ask Khalid to return his daughter, the ambassador gave Khalid the letter from the Emperor which read as follows:^[3]

Khalid said to the ambassador:

The ambassador took the daughter of Heraclius, and returned to Antioch. The return of the Mobile Guard loaded with spoils was greeted with joy by the Muslims at Damascus. The whole operation from pursuit to the return of Mobile guard took 10 days.^[3] They returned on October 1, 634. With his return Khalid was informed about the death of Caliph Abu Bakr and succession of Umar as a caliph and deposition of Khalid from the commander in chief by him, Umar appointed Abu Ubaidah ibn al-Jarrah as a new commander in chief.

[edit] Notes

[edit] References

Akram, A.I. (1970). The Sword of Allah: Khalid bin al-Waleed, His Life and Campaigns. Rawalpindi: National Publishing House. ISBN 0-71010-104-X. Retrieved on 2008-01-01.