Rusana: Difference between revisions

Starting in 809 CE, the expanding [[Oduniyyad Caliphate]] began its conquest of the southwestern states of [[Alshar]]. The wali of the Bulkawan wilayat, a certain Malik Ibn Harun landed in [[Pukhgundi]] with thirty thousand troops and secured the submission and conversion of its rulers to Islam. He reorganized the kingdom into the Alsar Wilayah with himself as governor. Founding the fort of Haras at the eastern edge of Pukhgundi's territory and leaving a small garrison, Malik Ibn Harun continued his eastern march along the coast into the territory of the Kingdom of Lakdu. Ibn Harun then gained the allegiance of the Lakdu vassal king of Sikam, impressing him with the size of his army and the tenets of Islam. Proceeding east and with his army led by Sikam guides, he outmaneuvered the Lakdu army and defeated it at the battles of Lodran and Porus, ending the kingdom. Ibn Harun spent the next year conquering the now disunited urban centers of Lakdu. He reorganized the territory into the wilayat of Rusana, tried to supress local paganism and endowed new mosques. Ibn Harun next sent spies north and east to ascertain the most advantageous route of expansion for the Caliphate. To the east his spies reported a large empire named ''Korun'', with well appointed border forts and large armies. To them he sent diplomats promising peaceful intent and offered to continue the yearly tribute that Lakdu had provided, an offer that was accepted. To the north his spies reported a peaceful, pastoral society who lived in small cities with palisades or in temples in the mountains. Malik Ibn Harun determined to attack the 'Rengsera tribes' to his north first and dispatched letters back to Bulkawan asking for reinforcement, to attack Korun later.