Abu al-Khaṣīb Marzuq was an Abbasid general and administrator during the reign of Abu Ja'far al-Mansur. A mawla of Mansur in his early life, Abu al-Khasib rose to the position of Hajib (chamberlain) in 755.[1][2] In 760, he was sent by Mansur to conquer Tabaristan from its Dabuyid ruler, Khurshid.[1] After the conquest of Tabaristan, he was appointed as its first Abbasid governor, a position he retained till c. 763.[1][3]
Abu al-Khasib | |
---|---|
Abbasid Governor of Tabaristan | |
In office 760–763 | |
Monarch | al-Mansur |
Preceded by | Khurshid (as Dabuyid ruler) |
Succeeded by | Khazim b. Khuzaymah |
Military service | |
Allegiance | Abbasid Caliphate |
Biography
Abu al-Khasib was from Sind.[1] He had been earlier a client (mawali) of Muthanna b. al-Hajjaj b. Qutayba b. Muslim according to Ibn Isfandiyar.[1] He is first mentioned in 755, when he was sent by Mansur as his chamberlain to Abu Muslim Khurasani for calculating what he had acquired by defeating Abdullah ibn Ali, caliph's uncle.[2][1] When Abu Muslim refused to handover the wealth, Abu al-Khasib returned to Mansur and told him about Abu Muslim's intention.[4] This sowed seeds of distrust between caliph and Abu Muslim, which ultimately lead to Abu Muslim's execution a few months later.[5] Abu al-Khasib also helped Ma'n ibn Za'ida to go into hiding and sought protection for him, ultimately helping him in gaining indemnity.[6]
In 759, Dabuyid Ispahbadh of Tabaristan, Khurshid, rebelled and killed Muslims living in Tabaristan. Thus, Mansur sent Abu al-Khasib along with Khazim b. Khuzaymah and Rawh b. Hatim against him.[7] They besieged his fortress, however, when siege prolonged, Abu al-Khasib resorted to a stratagem, ultimately conquering the fortress. Khurshid later committed suicide by licking poison.[8] Abu al-Khasib was appointed as governor of Tabaristan, holding the position till 763.[3]
Although no coins are known from Abu al-Khasib's tenure as governor of Tabaristan, he is known to have built a great mosque in the city of Sari, probably in 761.[3] He may have been same as Abdul Hamid, father of al-Khasib who was governor of Egypt during the reign of Harun ar-Rashid, although this is uncertain.[9] Abu al-Khasib also ordered the excavation of Abu al-Khasib canal in Basra, named after him, which in turn gave its name to the present-day Abu Al-Khaseeb District.[10]
See also
References
Sources
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