Buluggin ibn Muhammad explained

Buluggin ibn Muhammad
Succession:Sultan of the Hammadid Sultanate
Reign:1055–1062
Predecessor:Muhsin ibn Qaid
Successor:Nasir ibn Alnas
Birth Date:unknown date
Death Date:1062
Dynasty:Hammadid dynasty
Religion:Islam

Buluggin ibn Muhammad (died 1062) was the ruler of the Hammadids from 1055 to 1062. He led an army into Morocco against the Almoravids and briefly captured Fes.[1]

Reign

Buluggin succeeded his cousin Muhsin ibn Qaid, whom he assassinated in 1055. After killing Muhsin, Buluggin killed his vizier and the governor of Biskra, Ja'far ibn Abi Rumman, because he doubted his loyalty.[2] This assassination provoked a revolt of the population of Biskra. The Sanhajian Army, commanded by Khalaf ibn Abi Haydara, took the city by storm. The main Biskrians, probably all Banu Rumman, were sent to Qal'a where Buluggin had them all killed.[3]

Expedition against the Almoravids

In 14 Feb or 14 Mar 1062, Buluggin took the road to Morocco, where the Almoravid leader Yusuf ibn Tashufin was shaking the Zanatian Empire. Buluggin took advantage of the fact that the Zanatian emir al-Fatuh had moved away from his capital, Fez, to enter. Buluggin does not seem to have met the Almoravids. Yusuf ibn Tashfin, no doubt aware of the possibility of lightning incursions from the east and anxious to reserve his forces—still insufficient to subjugate the Masmuda—retreated to the Sahara.[4]

On his withdrawal, Buluggin was assassinated by an agent of his successor Nasir ibn Alnas.

Notes and References

  1. International Dictionary of Historic Places: Middle East and Africa, Trudy Ring, Robert M. Salkin, Sharon La Boda, Routledge, 1996, p. 38
  2. Book: Khaldun, Ibn. Histoire des Berbères et des dynasties musulmanes de l'Afrique Septentrionale. Imprimerie du Gouvernement. 1854. 47. fr. de Slane. Baron.
  3. Book: Idris, Hady Roger. La berbérie orientale sous les Zirides: Xe-XIIe siècles... Librairie d'Amérique et d'Orient, Adrien-Maisonneuve. 1962. 1. 244. fr.
  4. Book: Idris, Hady Roger. La berbérie orientale sous les Zirides: Xe-XIIe siècles... Librairie d'Amérique et d'Orient, Adrien-Maisonneuve. 1962. 1. 245–246. fr.