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Thread: The Arab General

  1. #1

    Default The Arab General

    Hi,

    I was always fascinated by this general, who's military skills and tactics are no less than those of Alexander, yet he is by far, the most underestimated, least known general in history.

    This general's name is Khalid, Khalid ibn Al-Walid ibn Al-Mughera Al-Makhzumi Al-Qurashi. I have read the wiki entries on him, and that book, sword of allah, but still, none of those give extensive research on his strategies and tactics, which enabled him to proceed undefeated in the huge battles he waged against the persians and byzantines.

    Anyone here know of a book or website where I could learn more?

  2. #2
    Imperialist Brit Member Orb's Avatar
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    Default Re: The Arab General

    Completely OT - but wasn't Ibn Munqidh an Aegyptophile historian? Or have I confused my results?

    In answer, I hadn't heard of Khalid beforehand.


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  3. #3

    Default Re: The Arab General

    Ibn Munqidh was an arab prince/knight/chronicler, from Shaizar, during the crusades period.

    As I said, most people have not heard of this general before.

  4. #4
    Assistant Mod Mod Member GiantMonkeyMan's Avatar
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    Default Re: The Arab General

    i found this website for you: http://www.swordofallah.com/

    it seems he was a pretty awesome general, but he did commit murder on more that one occassion... still, he was on Civ4 Warlords i think, that's where i recognise him from

  5. #5

    Default Re: The Arab General

    Ive read that book, seems like alot of religious fantasies and heroism, I would like to find something factual about him.

    Thanks for the link BTW.

  6. #6
    His higness, the Sultan Member Randarkmaan's Avatar
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    Default Re: The Arab General

    His victories are very impressive indeed, and I think especially so since at the time the Arabs had very few warhorses, most warriors were camel-mounted infantry(who proved to be very effective) and there were pretty few warriors altogether (compared with the Byzantines and the Persians).
    "One of the nice things about looking at a bear is that you know it spends 100 per cent of every minute of every day being a bear. It doesn't strive to become a better bear. It doesn't go to sleep thinking, "I wasn't really a very good bear today". They are just 100 per cent bear, whereas human beings feel we're not 100 per cent human, that we're always letting ourselves down. We're constantly striving towards something, to some fulfilment"
    -Stephen Fry

  7. #7
    Member Member tsyed's Avatar
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    Default Re: The Arab General

    The Battle of Uhud (Mountain) is where Khalid had his famous victory against the Muslims. The layout of the battle was something this (North South orientation may not be right):

    AAA MMMMM UU
    UU (this UU should be vertically alogned with the others UUs)
    QQQQQQQQ UU

    where M=Muslims, A=Muslim archers, Q=Quraysh, U=Uhud Mountain. The Prophet posted a company of archers on a mound which would prevent the Quraysh from sending their cavalry (under Khalid's command) in a flanking manouver against the Muslims.

    But, in the heat of battle, when the tides were turning against the Quraysh, most of the archers abandoned their post to partake in the loot. Khalid saw this opening, slew the reamining archers, and flanked the Muslim force, which led to their defeat, and the near death of the Prophet(S).

    If you search Google Earth, and zoom in to Medinah, you can still see the site of the battle and what is left of that mount.
    Last edited by tsyed; 09-28-2006 at 01:49.

  8. #8
    Sovereign Oppressor Member TIE Fighter Shooter Champion, Turkey Shoot Champion, Juggler Champion Kralizec's Avatar
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    Default Re: The Arab General

    Quote Originally Posted by Randarkmaan
    His victories are very impressive indeed, and I think especially so since at the time the Arabs had very few warhorses, most warriors were camel-mounted infantry(who proved to be very effective) and there were pretty few warriors altogether (compared with the Byzantines and the Persians).
    Not when the Byzantines almost completely disbanded their military...

  9. #9

    Default Re: The Arab General

    As Randaarkman said, most arab troops were haganah, camel mounted infantry, either swordsmen, spearmen, or archers, and very few cavalry. The arab armies of that time were way outnumbered by the Byzantine and Persian armies, and very lightly armed and armoured, yet they were victorious, due to this general's command.

  10. #10

    Default Re: The Arab General

    Quote Originally Posted by Kralizec
    Not when the Byzantines almost completely disbanded their military...
    Ever heard of the battle of Yarmuk/Hieromax (sp?)?

  11. #11
    Senior Member Senior Member Reenk Roink's Avatar
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    Default Re: The Arab General

    He was an excellent general (in terms of tactics, I put him at number 2 after Hannibal in another thread), but he was also more sanguine as compared to his contemporaries (meaning Arab generals, as the Sassinid and Byzantine armies were much more fond of atrocities then Arabs at the time). He was removed from his position by a Caliph, perhaps because of this.

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