The Battle of al-Buhayra was a decisive Almoravid victory over the Almohads during their early attempt to capture Marrakesh. The defeat shattered the Almohad offensive, killed al-Bashir al-Wanharisi, and left 'Abd al-Mu'min seriously wounded as he withdrew the surviving contingents to Tinmallal. The battle created the immediate crisis of leadership that followed Ibn Tümart's death.
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The Story
The Almohads had won an initial victory at Kik in 1122 and then moved against Marrakesh, the Almoravid capital. Their siege lasted forty days, but the Almoravid cavalry eventually crushed the Almohad forces at al-Buhayra in 1128. The defeat ended the first major Almohad attempt to seize the city and exposed the vulnerability of an army fighting on terrain favorable to cavalry.
The battle had severe consequences for the Almohad leadership. Al-Bashir al-Wanharisi, one of Ibn Tümart's most prominent companions, was killed, while 'Abd al-Mu'min was seriously wounded. He had great difficulty bringing the remnants of the Almohad contingents back to Tinmallal.
Al-Buhayra also shaped the succession crisis of the movement. Ibn Tümart died soon afterward, in 524/1130, and the arrangement of his succession became contentious before 'Abd al-Mu'min's accession in 527/1133. The battle therefore marked both a military disaster and a turning point in Almohad political history.
The Battle of al-Buhayra was a decisive Almoravid victory over the Almohads during their early attempt to capture Marrakesh. The defeat shattered the Almohad offensive, killed al-Bashir al-Wanharisi, and left 'Abd al-Mu'min seriously wounded as he withdrew the surviving contingents to Tinmallal. The battle created the immediate crisis of leadership that followed Ibn Tümart's death.
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The Story
The Almohads had won an initial victory at Kik in 1122 and then moved against Marrakesh, the Almoravid capital. Their siege lasted forty days, but the Almoravid cavalry eventually crushed the Almohad forces at al-Buhayra in 1128. The defeat ended the first major Almohad attempt to seize the city and exposed the vulnerability of an army fighting on terrain favorable to cavalry.
The battle had severe consequences for the Almohad leadership. Al-Bashir al-Wanharisi, one of Ibn Tümart's most prominent companions, was killed, while 'Abd al-Mu'min was seriously wounded. He had great difficulty bringing the remnants of the Almohad contingents back to Tinmallal.
Al-Buhayra also shaped the succession crisis of the movement. Ibn Tümart died soon afterward, in 524/1130, and the arrangement of his succession became contentious before 'Abd al-Mu'min's accession in 527/1133. The battle therefore marked both a military disaster and a turning point in Almohad political history.
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