The Turks of Samarra
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Transcript of The Turks of Samarra
Slavery outside the Americas
• Some form of slavery has been attested for practically every human civilization around the globe.
• American slavery is unique in its scale and its treatment of slaves.
Forms of Slavery• Domestic slavery• State slavery– Soldiers– Bureaucrats– Janissaries
• Temple slavery• Economic slavery– Plantation slavery– Debt slaves
• Concubines
Slavery and Status
• Pre-modern societies built on institutionalized inequalities
• Very few people (if anyone) “free”– Conscription– Corvée labor– Serfdom
• Enslavement may offer upward mobility• Attachment to elite households or state institutions
offer protections• Code of Hammurapi
Slave Soldiers
• (Not entirely) unique institution in Muslim World• Origins in mercenary militias, elite bodyguards• Practice continues into 19th century– Janissaries – Ottoman Empire– `Abid al-Bukhari - Morocco
• Why use slaves as soldiers?
Ottoman Janissaries
Aftermath of the `Abbasid Civil War
• Changing face of `Abbasid elites• Khurasani Persians over Abna al-Dawla• Realization that elites are fickle and expect
certain concessions• Abu Ishaq `Abbas b. Harun al-Mu`tasim (r. 833-
842) – al-Ma’mun’s younger brother and successor
• 815 – al-Mu`tasim begins purchasing Turkish slaves from Central Asia
The Turks before al-Mu`tasim
• Pastoralist nomads• Inner Asian steppe• Raid and trade relationship• Iran and Turan• Mercenaries• Occasional conquest of cities and towns
Early 20th century photos of Central AsianTurkic pastoralists
Why Turks?
• Outsiders – no independent networks within empire• Noted warriors – horseback archery• Khurasan and the steppe – proximity and existing slave trade
Turkish Slave Soldiers
• 833 – al-Mu`tasim makes his Turkish guard the royal body guard and field army
• Negative reaction from `Abbasid elites• Nomads in the city• Removing established elites from military
positions• 836 – al-Mu`tasim founds Samarra
Surra man raa (all who see it are pleased)
• Not meant to attract non-government residents• Essentially a large scale military encampment• Baghdad : Samarra as New York : Washington• Turkish commanders given land• Turkish soldiers are given wives• Non-Turkish branches of military also allotted space
The Mosque of al-Mutawakkil, Samarra
Turkish Commanders
• Ashinas, Khaqan, `Urtuj, Wasif, and Itakh• Administrative positions– Governorships– Positions that required close proximity to the caliph (chamberlain, cup bearer, etc.)
• Iqta` – Land grants
Ashinas parlaying with rebels
Are They Really Slaves?
• Mamluk – “property” or “owned”• Ghulam – can mean young servant or
entourage, primarily slave soldiers• Ashinas – Turkish prince• Khagan – same root as khan• Itakh – former cook?• 847 – 2 of 5 people involved in choosing new
caliph are Turkish slave generals
High Noon in Samarra
• Caliphal Fiction• Is Samarra a prison?• An `Abbasid fifth generation?• al-Mutawakkil Ja`far b. al-Mu`tasim (r. 847-861)• Attempts to limit power of Turks• 849 – Itakh imprisoned and killed… little reaction
High Noon in Samarra• 861 – Confiscation of Wasif’s estates• Give them to al-Fath b. Khaqan• Second generation Turks• Dec. 11, 861 – al-Mutawakkil and al-Fath killed by bodyguard
after night of drinking• Turkish slave soldiers dictating succession and policies of caliphs• Rising conflict between Turkish and non-Turkish elites
Abu Dulaf Mosque, Samarra