Khalifa Uthman bin Affan - Conquests of Ibn 'Aamir

Abdullah b 'Aamir in spite of his young age was a man of exceptional merits. He was a man of sterling qualities. He was a good administrator and a skilful general. Soon after assuming charge as Governor, Abdullah b 'Aamir embarked on a campaign of extensive conquests. He first undertook campaigns in the province of Fars. After suppressing revolts in Fars, Abdullah b 'Aamir undertook campaigns in Kirman. The command of the forces in Kirman was entrusted to Mujasshaa b Musa Salmi. Kirman was soon reconquered. Campaigns were next undertaken in Seestan. Rabeah b Ziyad Harithi was appointed to command the forces in Seestan. Seestan was reconquered. Thereafter Afghanistan was conquered, and the borders of India were reached. Theteafter Abdullah b 'Aamir led the Muslim forces in person in Khurasan the Muslim forces captured the forts which were the gates of Khurasan. Thereafter Abdullah b 'Aamir led the Muslim forces to Quhistan. Ouhistan was conquered after some fighting. Ibn 'Aamir sent numerous columns in various dlrections. One column conquered the territory of Rustaqzam in Nishapur. Another column conquered the area of Bakharz. Another column conquered the area of luban. Another column under Aswad b Kulthum Adwi was sent against Bahaq. Aswad was killed in action, but the city was conquered by the Muslims. Thereafter other cities in Nishapur were brought under control. Thereafter the city of Abushahr was reduced after a long siege. Thereafter Nishapur was conquered. It n 'Aarnir appointed Qais b Hatim Salmi as the ruler of Nishapur. Ibn 'Aamir sent another column under Abdullah b Khazam Salmi to Nasaa The city was conquered and the peace was negotiated on the usual terms. The next campaign was against Sarakhs which fell to the Muslims after some fighting. From Sarakhs one column advanced to Kaif and another to Bina. Both the cities were conquered after some fighting. Tus was next to fall. Columns were thereafter sent to Herat, Badghes, and Bushang which cities also fell to the Muslims. The cities of Taghun and Yaghun fell after some fighting. Thereafter the Muslim forces advanced to Merv. The ruler of Merv surrendered and agreed to pay tribute. Another column advanced to Taghiristan which country was conquered after some fighting. Next the territory of Mervroz was captured. A column under Aqraa b Habis Tamimi was sent to Juzjan. The territory of Juzjan was conquered by the Muslims after a good deal of fighting. The territories of Talqan and Faryab were next conquered. The Muslims thereafter advanced to Balkh which city was captured after a siege lasting for some time.

Thereafter Abdullah b 'Aamir crossed the Oxus, and subdued a greater part of Transoxiana. After these conquests Abdullah b 'Aamir returned to Nishapur. The achievements of Abdullah b 'Aamir were most astounding. Within a few years he had conquered Fars, Kirman, Seestan, Kabul, Khurasan and a greater part of Transoxiana. The conquests exceeded the conquests made by any other conqueror in history.

After the successful completion of his campaigns, Abdullah b Aamir donned the 17'ram in Nishapur, and proceeded to the Ka'aba to perform the Hajj and offer thanks to God. After performing the Hajj, Abdullah b 'Aamir proceeded to Madina to see Uthman. Before Abdullah b 'Aamir reached Madina, Uthman had been martyred. That was a great shock for Abdullah b 'Aamir. When Zubair, Talha, and Ayesha raised the call for the vengeance for the blood of Uthman, Abdullah b 'Aamir joined them. The confederates succeeded in capturing Basra because of the influence that Abdullah b 'Aamir commanded with the people of Basra. In the "Battle of the Camel" which was fought in December 656, the confederates were defeated and Basra was captured by Ali.