Early conquests · 634
Battle of the Bridge
The Muslims crossed a bridge of boats to face war elephants and were routed, and Abu Ubayd was killed. It was one of the worst defeats of the early conquests.
Key facts
- When
- 634
- Where
- On the Euphrates near Kufa, Iraq
- Sides
- Rashidun Caliphate vs Sasanian Empire
- Commanders
- Abu Ubayd al-Thaqafi vs Bahman Jadhuyih
- Result
- Sasanian victory
- Type
- Early conquests
- Chapter
- 1. The Rightly Guided Caliphs
The wider picture: Abu Bakr and Umar: the great conquests
Within twelve years the Muslims defeated both superpowers of the age. Byzantium lost Syria at Yarmouk and Egypt soon after. Persia lost Iraq at Qadisiyyah and its heartland at Nahavand. Jerusalem surrendered in 637 and Umar came in person to accept it.
More early conquests battles
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