Battle between the forces of the Umayyad Caliphate and the Turkic Turgesh tribes
The battle ended Arab control in the Upper Oxus valley and left Khurasan exposed to Türgesh invasion.
Key Facts
- Date
- 30 September 737
- Location
- Transoxiana, near the Oxus River
- Umayyad commander
- Asad ibn Abdallah al-Qasri, governor of Khurasan
- Cause of Türgesh involvement
- Khuttal ruler requested Türgesh aid against Umayyad invasion
- Outcome
- Türgesh captured Umayyad baggage train; Umayyad campaign failed
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
The Umayyad governor of Khurasan, Asad ibn Abdallah al-Qasri, launched an invasion of the Principality of Khuttal in Transoxiana. The local ruler, unable to repel the invasion alone, called upon the Turkic Türgesh tribes for military assistance, prompting the Türgesh to mobilize and advance toward the region.
The Umayyad army retreated hastily upon the approach of the Türgesh, barely crossing the Oxus River in time. The Türgesh crossed immediately after and attacked the exposed Umayyad baggage train, which had been sent ahead. The main Umayyad force came to the rescue but the escort suffered heavy casualties, and the baggage was captured by the Türgesh.
The failed Umayyad campaign resulted in the complete collapse of Arab control over the Upper Oxus valley. Khurasan itself was left open to Türgesh incursion, significantly weakening Umayyad authority in the eastern frontier of Transoxiana.
Belligerents & Mobilization Analysis
Side A
1 belligerent
Asad ibn Abdallah al-Qasri.
Side B
1 belligerent