X-Periences
ARABS OVERWHELM IRAN
Nu’aim’s victory at Rayy was followed by a general movement of Muslim armies towards the north. This was because of the Caliphal command as a result of which the Arab advance into the outer regions of Iran had become both inevitable and unavoidable. The Arab forces in Isfahan left for Khurasan and those of Bahrain and Basrah marched towards Persia (proper) and Kirman. The Muslim auxiliaries else-where proceeded to remain at the back of prospective conquerors. The Caliph was sure that the Muslims were to be the inheritors of the whole of the Iranean State. He would not let the fugitives reunite till they accepted peace or were wiped out from the surface. As for their emperor, Yezdgard, he did not have rest or permanent refuge to depend upon.
Instead of accepting terms of peace of fighting the Muslims steadfastly, he had ultimately to seek the help from the Khaqan of Turkistan or the emperor of China. But neither helped him in the true sense of the word. Khaqan just made an attempt to thwart Muslims but he was forced to withdraw.
According to a considered plan, Uthman bin Abi al-'Aas Thaqfi, sailed via Gulf, captured the island of Aizkawan and advanced on the province of Persia and besieged the city of Tawwaj. It was here that Mujashe' bin Mas'ud from Basrah met him. Many Persians were killed and the city invested. It will be remembered that these very people had once humbled 'Ala bin Handhrami and it was then that the Caliphal command was issued for his assistance.
Mushaje' captured Shapur and Urdshir when Uthman took the route of Istakhar, it being the provincial capital which enjoyed esteem as a centre of culture well-known for its past history. The Chosroes and their courtiers had first settled in this province. Istakhar commanded sanctity and there existed many tombs of the kings and nobles. Hence all the people of the region assembled under a Commander Hirbaz to fight a decisive battle against Muslim armies. Istakhar had been founded as a parallel city to Persopolis which had been destroyed by the Greek invaders under Alexander the Great. The material used was brought from the demolished city. The new city was eventually known for its beautiful gardens and natural resources.
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