Ziyad ibn Salih
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Ziyad ibn Salih | |
|---|---|
| Native name | زياد بن صالح |
| Born | Unknown |
| Died | Unknown |
| Allegiance | Abbasid Caliphate |
| Rank | General |
| Battles / wars | Battle of Talas |
Ziyad ibn Salih (زياد بن صالح) was an Arab general of the Abbasid Caliphate in the 8th century. He is best known for commanding Abbasid forces at the Battle of Talas in 751 CE against the Tang dynasty of China. The battle was a pivotal moment in the struggle for control over Transoxiana and marked the end of Chinese westward expansion in Central Asia.
Background
[edit]Little is known about Ziyad ibn Salih’s early life, lineage, or tribal affiliation. He emerged as a prominent military figure during the early Abbasid period, shortly after the Abbasid Revolution that overthrew the Umayyad Caliphate in 750 CE. His military competence earned him a position of command in the Abbasid campaign to assert authority in Central Asia.
Abbasid Expansion in Central Asia
[edit]During the early Abbasid period, the Caliphate aimed to consolidate its control over Transoxiana, a region that included parts of modern-day Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Kazakhstan. This region had seen growing influence from the Tang dynasty, which had established protectorates and alliances with local Central Asian states. Conflicts over the control of the Ferghana Valley led to a confrontation between the Abbasid forces and the Chinese army.
Battle of Talas
[edit]In 751 CE, a confrontation took place near the Talas River between an Abbasid army led by Ziyad ibn Salih and a Tang Chinese force under Gao Xianzhi. The battle was instigated by a succession crisis in the Principality of Ferghana, with both powers supporting rival claimants.
Ziyad ibn Salih commanded a composite force of Abbasid troops and allied Karluks. During the battle, the Karluks defected from the Tang side and attacked the Chinese army, contributing decisively to the Abbasid victory. The Tang forces were routed, and thousands of Chinese soldiers were captured.
Aftermath
[edit]The victory at Talas ended Tang military influence in Central Asia. Though the Tang maintained nominal claims over some territories, their effective control declined sharply, especially following the An Lushan Rebellion (755–763). For the Abbasids, the battle secured dominance over Transoxiana and strengthened their influence in the eastern Islamic frontier.
A notable consequence of the battle was the transfer of papermaking technology to the Islamic world. According to some historical accounts, Chinese prisoners captured during the battle included skilled artisans who introduced paper production techniques to the region, particularly in Samarkand.
Legacy
[edit]Ziyad ibn Salih’s legacy is closely associated with the Abbasid consolidation of power in Central Asia. Although little is recorded about his later life or career, his leadership at Talas marked a turning point in the geopolitical landscape of the region. The battle also had long-term cultural consequences, including the spread of Chinese technologies and the decline of Tang influence west of the Pamir Mountains.
See also
[edit]References
[edit]Bibliography
[edit]- Blankinship, Khalid Yahya. The End of the Jihâd State: The Reign of Hishâm ibn 'Abd al-Malik and the Collapse of the Umayyads. SUNY Press, 1994.
- Beckwith, Christopher I. Empires of the Silk Road: A History of Central Eurasia from the Bronze Age to the Present. Princeton University Press, 2009.
- Kennedy, Hugh. The Early Abbasid Caliphate: A Political History. Routledge, 1981.
- Haug, Robert. The Eastern Frontier: Limits of Empire in Late Antique and Early Medieval Central Asia. I.B. Tauris, 2019.
- Al-Tabari. The History of al-Tabari, Volumes 28–30. Translated by various scholars. SUNY Press.