Khalifa Uthman bin Affan - First conquest of Azarbaijan

Azarbaijan lay to the west of the Caspian Sea. 1ne region was so called because of the large number of its fire temples.

During the caliphate of Umar when the Muslims overpowered Persia, as column of the Muslim force under Hudhaifa b Alyaman invaded Azarbaijan. The Muslim force marched to Jurjan, where the local garrison surrendered after some resistance.

From Jurjan the Muslim force advanced to Ardbeei the capital of the province. The citizens did not choose to fight. They surrendered and agreed to pay the usual "Jizya".

Thereafter the Muslim force marched northward along the western coast of the Caspian Sea. In a confrontation at Bab, a port on the Caspian Sea, the Persians were defeated and the town was captured by the Muslims.

After some time on the transfer of Hudhaifa, the people of Azarbaijan revolted, and they met some initial success As a consequence, the Muslims had to abandon the advanced posts in Azarbaijan.

Thereafter Umar sent two columns to Azarbaijan to recapture the lost territories. One column was led by Bukair b Abdullah while the other column was led by Utba b Farqad. The column under Bukair b Abdullah advanced to Jurmizan. Here a battle was fought against the Persians led by their chief Isfandiyar. The town was captured by assault, and Isfandiyar was taken captive. Thereupon the Persians took to the hills; and shut themselves in the hill forts. The Muslim column under Utba b Farqad clashed with the Persian force led by Bahram, a brother of Isfandiyar. The Persians were defeated. The Muslims once again became the masters of Azarbaijan.

Utba b Farqad was appointed as the Governor of Azarbaijan. He suppressed all revolts and restored law and order.