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

War with Byzantines
The Syrian frontiers were threatened on two sides, Asia Minor by the Byzantines and Armenia by the Khazars whose
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eruption was repelled. At Tarsus in the west a separate government was created under the charge of a Turkish general to maintain peace and fortify the frontiers. War against Byzantium dragged on throughout his reign and battles ensued with the Greeks almost every year and these were often joined by the Caliph himself with varying results. Naval expeditions were also undertaken in 175/May 791-2 and Crete and Cyprus were attacked and the Greek admiral was taken prisoner according to the Greeks versions. Numerous prisoners and huge booty fell into Muslim hands. In 181/March 797-8 the Muslims under the command of Harun himself marched as far as Ephesus and Ancyra. Harun encamped at Scutari (Chtysopolis) within the sight of Constantinople and forced the Greeks Empress Irene (797-802) to conclude a four years truce and to agree to pay tribute, an exchange of prisoners took place and 4,000 Muslims were recovered. This was the first and last attempt of the Abbasids to conquer Constantinople.
In 187/803 her successor Nicephorus wrote an insulting letter to Harun demanding the return of the tribute released from a women or be prepared for war to which Harun also replied in abusive language. From Harun, commander of the Faithful, to Nicephorus dog of a Greek and marched with an army against him. The Greek territory was ravaged as far as Herculea (Hiraqlah) and Nicephorus repented his foolish deed, concluded peace and renewed payments of tribute. But he did not always abide by the terms of the treaty and raided the Abbasid territory if and when Harun was busy else where. For this he and his dependents had to pay heavily this also created religious hatred.
Churches on rhe borders were destroyed and a distinct dress was prescribed for the Christian population by Harun. In 190/806 the caliph himself at the head of 13,500 soldiers marched against the Byzantines, occupied Herculea and Tyana (al-Tuwanah), and reduced Nicephorus to submission and to pay tribute they paid also

2,000 gold coins as a ransom for the Bishop of Cyprus, which had been also captured and 10,000 persons taken captives. This was the peak of the height ever reached by the ’Abbasids. In the following year when Harun was busy other wise Mar’ash and Tarsus were raided by the Greeks. Harun did not live long to retrieve. In 187/796 hostilities between north and south Arabs flared up again in Syria. The rising was put down by Ja’far al-Barmaki and the rival parties were consoled by the caliph by declaring them equal to one an other.

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Political and Cultural History of Islam
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