Adalite Civil War
 | This article lacks ISBNs for the books listed. (February 2025) |
| Adalite Civil War | |||||||
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| Part of Ahmed Gurey’s rise to power | |||||||
 Ruins of Hubat near Dire Dawa, the stronghold of the rebels | |||||||
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| Belligerents | |||||||
| Hubat rebels | Walashma Dynasty | ||||||
| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
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Imam Mahfuz † Garad Abun Adashe † Imam Ahmed bin Ibrahim Al-Ghazi | Sultan Abu Bakr ibn Muhammad † | ||||||
The Adalite Civil War (1520–1526) was a seven-year-long conflict within the Adal Sultanate between the ruling Walashma dynasty and the forces of Garad Abun Adashe. The war ultimately led to the rise of Ahmad ibn Ibrahim al-Ghazi, who later launched the Conquest of Abyssinia (Futuh Al-Habash).
Background
[edit]After the death of Imam Mahfuz, Garad Abun Adashe emerged as the most powerful figure in Adal, leading to tensions with the ruling Walashma dynasty.[1] Among his supporters was Ahmad ibn Ibrahim al-Ghazi, a military commander from Hubat who quickly gained recognition for his leadership skills.[2] Garad Abun, impressed by Ahmad's valor, arranged for him to marry Bati del Wambara, the daughter of the late Imam Mahfuz.[3]
Conflict
[edit]Sultan Abu Bakr ibn Muhammad of the Walashma dynasty, fearing Adashe's influence, established his capital at Harar and mobilized a large army, primarily composed of Somalis.[4] In 1525, Abu Bakr's forces confronted and killed Adashe near Zeila.[5]
Following Adashe's death, Ahmad ibn Ibrahim al-Ghazi took control of his forces, retreating to Hubat with over a hundred men. As Abu Bakr attempted to pursue, Ahmad ambushed and defeated him in open battle, forcing the Sultan to seek refuge in Ogaden.[6] Despite raising another large force, Abu Bakr suffered further setbacks in a second indecisive engagement.
Hearing of the conflict, Dawit II of Ethiopia sent General Degelhan to confront Ahmad. The Abyssinians initially succeeded in capturing large numbers of women and children from Adal, including the mother of Ahmad's commander, Abu Bakr Qatin. However, Ahmad lured the Ethiopian forces into Hubat, where he ambushed and decisively defeated them at the Battle of Hubat.[7] This victory significantly increased his reputation and military strength.
Sultan Abu Bakr, recognizing Ahmad as a growing threat, launched the Siege of Hubat, forcing Ahmad to take refuge in the mountains of Gara Muleta. After ten days of siege, the sheikhs of Harar intervened, brokering a temporary peace that recognized Ahmad's authority within Adal for the first time.[8]
The peace did not last long, as Sultan Abu Bakr attempted to assassinate Ahmad in Harar, forcing him to flee back to Hubat.[9] At this time, a swarm of bees reportedly landed on Ahmad's head, a miraculous event that led his followers to proclaim him as the new Imam of Adal.[10] After a series of battles, Ahmad finally defeated and killed Abu Bakr, who fled to the Ogaden. With Abu Bakr eliminated, Ahmad returned to Harar and installed Umar Din as a puppet Sultan.[11]
Aftermath
[edit]Ahmad then turned his attention to unifying the various Somali clans through both diplomacy and warfare. This consolidation of power would lay the foundation for his later conquests, culminating in the Ethiopian–Adal War.[12]
References
[edit]- ^ Whiteway, Richard Stephen, ed. (1902). The Portuguese Expedition to Abyssinia in 1541–1543, as Narrated by Castanhoso. Hakluyt Society. p. xxxiii.
- ^ Hassen, Mohammed Hinika (2017-12-13). "The Genealogy and Ethnic Identity of Ahmed Ibn Ibrahim Al-Gazi (Gragn) of Ethiopia: A Historiographical Reappraisal". East African Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities. 2(2): 21–40.
- ^ Trimingham, J. Spencer (1952). Islam in Ethiopia. Oxford University Press. p. 85.
- ^ Budge, E. A. Wallis (1928). A History of Ethiopia Nubia & Abyssinia. Methuen & Co. Ltd.
- ^ Edwards, Frederick A. (January–April 1905). "The Conquest of Abyssinia". The Imperial and Asiatic Quarterly Review and Oriental and Colonial Record. 3rd series. 19 (37 & 38). The Oriental Institute: 320–360.
- ^ Molvaer, Reidulf (1998). "The Tragedy of Emperor Libne-Dingil of Ethiopia (1508-1540)". Northeast African Studies. 5 (2). Michigan State University Press: 32.
- ^ Hinika, Mohammed Hassen (2017-12-13). "The Genealogy and Ethnic Identity of Ahmed Ibn Ibrahim Al-Gazi (Gragn) of Ethiopia: A Historiographical Reappraisal". East African Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities. 2(2): 21–40.
- ^ Whiteway, Richard Stephen (1902). The Portuguese Expedition to Abyssinia in 1541–1543 as Narrated by Castanhoso. Hakluyt Society. p. xxxiii.
- ^ Trimingham, J. Spencer (1952). Islam in Ethiopia. Oxford University Press. p. 85.
- ^ Feener, R. Michael (2004). Islam in World Cultures: Comparative Perspectives. ABC-CLIO. p. 219.
- ^ Budge, E. A. Wallis (1928). A History of Ethiopia Nubia & Abyssinia. Methuen & Co. Ltd.
- ^ Demichelis, Marco (2017). Islamisation; Comparative Perspectives from History. Edinburgh University Press. p. 231.
Further reading
[edit]- Whiteway, Richard Stephen, ed. (1902). The Portuguese Expedition to Abyssinia in 1541–1543 as Narrated by Castanhoso. Hakluyt Society.
- Feener, R. Michael (2004). Islam in World Cultures: Comparative Perspectives. ABC-CLIO.
- Adejumobi, Saheed A. (2008). The History of Ethiopia. Greenwood Publishing Group.
- Edwards, Frederick A. (1905). "The Conquest of Abyssinia". The Imperial and Asiatic Quarterly Review and Oriental and Colonial Record.
- Trimingham, J. Spencer (1952). Islam in Ethiopia. Oxford University Press.