Battle of Buzakha
The Battle of Buzakha took place between Khalid ibn al-Walid and Tulayha, in September 632.
| Battle of Buzakha | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part of Ridda wars and Campaigns of Khalid ibn al-Walid | |||||||
| |||||||
| Belligerents | |||||||
| Rashidun Caliphate | Pagan Arab tribes | ||||||
| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
|
Khalid ibn al-Walid Adi ibn Hatim |
Tulayha Hibal Uaina | ||||||
| Strength | |||||||
| 6,000 | 15,000 | ||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||
| low | heavy | ||||||
Strength
Khalid had 6,000 men under his disposal while Tulayha had 15,000 men.
General Engagement
Khalid at the beginning of the battle challenged Tulayha for a duel. After a brief encounter with Khalid he ran for shelter towards his own army. The battle was a slogging contest in which victory was decided by individual skill rather than by brilliance of maneuver. Khalid emerged victorious.
Aftermath
Khalid from here went on to his next objective and almost a month later engaged Sajah at the battle of Zafar. Tulayha on the other hand had killed a veteran Companions of the Prophet of the Prophet by the name of Akasha Bin Mihsan faced a ban from joining in any war. He later asked for forgiveness from Caliph Abu Bakr, who forgave him but he was, along with his tribe, banned from joining in any external campaigns as they had indulged in apostasy and so couldn't be trusted. It would be in Caliph Umar's reign that they would be finally allowed to participate in battles. Tulayha served with great distinction in the Persian campaign, especially in the Battle of Qadisiya. It was in the Battle of Nihawand that he fell and was killed in Islamic army led by Saʿd ibn Abī Waqqās.
On-line Resources
A.I. Akram, The Sword of Allah: Khalid bin al-Waleed, His Life and Campaigns Lahore, 1969
References
- A.I. Akram, The Sword of Allah: Khalid bin al-Waleed, His Life and Campaigns, Nat. Publishing. House, Rawalpindi (1970) ISBN 0-7101-0104-X.