Battle of Balanjar (723) explained

Conflict:Sack of Balanjar (723)
Partof:the Arab–Khazar Wars
Date:723 CE
Place:Balanjar
Result:Umayyad victory
Combatant1:Khazar Khaganate
Combatant2:Umayyad Caliphate
Commander1:Tarkhan
Commander2:Jarrah

The Battle of Balanjar took place during the Khazar–Arab Wars.[1] In 722 or 723, according to Muhammad ibn Jarir al-Tabari, Umayyad soldiers under al-Jarrah ibn Abdallah crossed the Caucasus Mountains and attacked Balanjar. The inhabitants of Balanjar tried to defend their town by fastening 300 wagons together and circling them around the key fortress on high terrain, but were defeated in the attack.[2] The Arabs massacred much of the town's population; survivors fled to other towns, including Samandar. The victorious Arab army stole much booty and the soldiers received large sums of money. After this battle, the Arabs went on to capture Samandar and the Muslims once again became a dominant force in Transcaucasia.

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Notes and References

  1. Book: Minorsky, Vladimir . A History of Sharvān and Darband in the 10th-11th Centuries . 1958 . Heffer . 106 . en.
  2. Book: Medieval Wars 500–1500 . 2012-09-17 . Amber Books Ltd . 978-1-78274-119-0 . 31 . en.