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The Turks of Samarra

The Turks of Samarra. HIST 1007 10/14/13. What is Slavery?. 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.

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The Turks of Samarra

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  1. The Turks of Samarra HIST 1007 10/14/13

  2. What is Slavery?

  3. 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.

  4. Society with Slaves vs. Slave Society

  5. Forms of Slavery • Domestic slavery • State slavery • Soldiers • Bureaucrats • Janissaries • Temple slavery • Economic slavery • Plantation slavery • Debt slaves • Concubines

  6. 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

  7. 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

  8. 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. Harunal-Mu`tasim(r. 833-842) – al-Ma’mun’s younger brother and successor • 815 – al-Mu`tasim begins purchasing Turkish slaves from Central Asia

  9. 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 Asian Turkic pastoralists

  10. Inner Asian Steppe

  11. Why Turks? • Outsiders – no independent networks within empire • Noted warriors – horseback archery • Khurasan and the steppe – proximity and existing slave trade

  12. 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

  13. 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

  14. 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

  15. 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

  16. High Noon in Samarra • Caliphal Fiction • Is Samarra a prison? • An `Abbasid fifth generation? • al-MutawakkilJa`far b. al-Mu`tasim (r. 847-861) • Attempts to limit power of Turks • 849 – Itakh imprisoned and killed… little reaction

  17. 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

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