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

Ma’mun Arrives at Baghdad
The court moved towards Baghdad in Rajab 202/Feb 818. Before leaving Merv Ma’mun left behind secret instructions to kill Dhual-Riyasatain Fazal b. Sahl. Accordingly he was killed in the following months while he was in his bath and the caliph was at Sarakhs. Ma’mun sent a letter of condolence to Hasan appointing him wazir in place of his brother. The caliph further cemented his relations with him by contracting his own marriage with his ten years aged daughter Burn the nuptial was however to take place later. He also strengthened his relation with Ali Raza by giving one of his daughters in the marriage of his son. About the time the caliphs court reached Tus, Ali Raza died of eating poisonous grapes in Safar

203/August 818 and was buried near Harun’s tomb where soon grew a new city Mashad. Thus Fazal and Ali Raza being removed the task which Ma’mun ahead was facilitated. Meanwhile the usurper, Ibrahim due to his harsh treatment and unwise policy was not pulling on well at Baghdad.

On the approach of Ma’mun one after another all the important chiefs including Ibrahim’s chief supporters iike Muttalib Ibn Abdullah and Isa b. Muhammad went over to his side. Having been deserted Ibrahim had to escape after two years of ignoble reign and was caught after about’eight years clad in women’s dress but was forgiven at the intercession of Hasan’s daughter Buran on whose marriage with Muhammad Ibrahim composed an admirable poem in Dhiqad 210/January 826. His supporters including Ibn Aishah a member of the royal house however met with cruel treatments and were executed. Ma’mun delayed his entry into Baghdad still Safar

204/Aug 819 when peace was restored. Tahir also, meanwhile joined the caliph’s party. At his request Mamun issued another edict reverting green dress and flag into black one bestowed black dresses of honour on his courtiers. Isa, wazir of Ibrahim and Fazal ibn alRabi, wazir of Amin who were still in hiding were reconciled and admitted to favour by Ma’mun. The marriage ceremony of Buran was performed by Hasan ibn Sahl at his country residence near Wasit and spent lavishly in the feast and presents worth about a million dinar. To compensate this the caliph allowed Hasan to collect revenue from some provinces for a year.

Abdullah Al-Ma’mun
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