Q. & A. 711 to 1707 with solved Papers css 1971 to date

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CHAPTER
YAZID II
(720-724 A.D./101-105 A.H.)
Conditions of the Empire
Yazid II, the third son of Abdul Malik, succeeded Umar II as had been pre-arranged by his brother Sulayman. His reign was the period of risings all over the empire. Yamanite and Modharite became involved in a deadly struggle in Spain, in Africa, and in the East; and the enemies of Islam triumphed on all sides, whilst the incapacity of the sovereign and his advisers, and the nomination of incompetent governors encouraged internal disorders. An expedition into the country of Azerbaijan was disastrously repulsed by the Khazars and Kipchacks who inhabited the Caucasian regions. In Transoxiana there were revolts and risings almost always brought about by the exactions of the new governors, which were suppressed with great difficulty and loss of life. In Asia Minor alone we read of successes against the Greeks.
In Africa, the nomination of a former official of Hajjaj, who attempted to treat the Berbers with the harshness and cruelty his master had used towards the Iraqians, led to a rising which assumed within a short time formidable dimensions, and required for its suppression under Yazid’s successor all the resources of the empire. In Spain, where the balance had been held so equally under the rule of Umar, that neither faction had cause for complaint, the old story of tribal dissensions and jealousies had recommenced: and every city was distracted with its own intestine quarrels. The grinding imposts introduced into Yaman by the brother of Hajjaj in the reign of Walid I., but which had been abolished b> Umar II., were re-introduced
with the result that the people of the province were thoroughly alienated. All the just ordinances issued by Umar were revoked. The Kharijis, who, during the last reign, had refrained from acts of aggression, now issued against the man whom they considered an unjust and ungodly tyrant. Whilst the empire was thus distracted on all sides, Yazid spent his time with two ladies of his harem to whom he was greatly attached.1