Battle of Jam

Battle of Jam
Part of Persian–Uzbek wars
DateSeptember 24, 1528
Location
Zurabad, Khorasan
36°44′09″N 57°20′33″E / 36.73583°N 57.34250°E / 36.73583; 57.34250
Result Safavid victory[1]
Belligerents
Safavid Iran Khanate of Bukhara
Commanders and leaders
Tahmasp I
Bahram Mirza
Alqas Mirza		 Ubaidullah Khan (WIA)
Kuchkunji Khan (AWOL)
Strength
40.000 180,000 men[2][3]
120,000 fighters
80.000-7,000 elite troops
Clergy of the Dervish
Casualties and losses
Unknown Heavy
Half of the army fled[4]

The Battle of Jam (Persian: نبرد جام) was one of the first battles in the reign of Shah Tahmasp I and one of the first conflicts against the Uzbeks after the Battle of Merv.[5]

Background

Following the death of Shah Ismail I, the crown passed to his son Tahmasp I, who was only 11 years old. During his early reign, a civil war broke out within the Safavid Empire among the Qizilbash, who formed the backbone of the army. Taking advantage of this internal chaos, the Shaybanids launched an invasion to overthrow Safavid rule, sending campaigns into Khorasan led by Ubaydullah Khan.[6][7] He mobilized 120,000 fighters, including 80,000 elite troops,[8] and reportedly brought 40 religious scholars with him. Upon hearing this, Shah Tahmasp I prepared a force of 40,000 men equipped in the Ottoman style,[9] utilizing wagons, cannons and muskets. As the Shaybanids began their campaign, they advanced.

Battle

In September 1528, the two sides met. Ubaydullah Khan's army numbered 180,000,[10] including dervishes and scholars who viewed the campaign as a ''Holy War''. Facing them, Shah Tahmasp led a much smaller force of 7,000 elite troops. Despite being outnumbered, he skillfully employed the 'wagon-laager' tactic and cannons, influenced by Ottoman military styles.

Initially, the Shaybanids gained the upper hand. Believing they had won, the Uzbek soldiers scattered to collect spoils of war and eventually fell asleep.[11] Seizing the moment, Shah Tahmasp launched a daring night raid on the heart of the sleeping camp. During the chaos, a Qurchi soldier struck Ubaydullah Khan with a sword, wounding him. However, amidst the turmoil, the soldier couldn't deliver a fatal blow, allowing the Uzbeks to carry their leader and flee.[12] Ultimately the Safavids emerged victorious.[13]

Aftermath

In 1528, the Uzbek threat reached its peak when Ubaydullah Khan recaptured Astarabad and Mashhad, eventually besieging Herat. Despite being only fourteen, Shah Tahmasp led a relief force and distinguished himself at the Battle of Jam (September 24, 1528). The Safavid victory was largely due to the innovative use of gunpowder technology on this frontier. However, this triumph was short-lived Tahmasp had to rush west to suppress a revolt in Baghdad led by Zulfiqar Mawsillu. This distraction allowed the Uzbeks to return to Khorasan, where Herat was eventually surrendered in exchange for safe passage. By late 1530, the Safavids managed to expel the Uzbeks again, but internal friction grew. The 'brinkmanship' policy of the Takalu tribe led to a violent clash within the royal tent, forcing the Shah to execute the Takalu leaders in a purge known as the Takalu Plague. This marked a turning point, as it paved the way for subsequent events that further res

haped the empire's internal power structure.[14][15]

See also

References

  1. ^ "The Memoirs of Shah Tahmasp I: Safavid Ruler of Iran". p. 61.
  2. ^ Tucker, Spencer C. "ZMiddle East Conflicts from Ancient Egypt to the 21st Century".
  3. ^ "Ўзбекистон миллий энциклопедияси" (PDF). p. 182.
  4. ^ "The Devil of History : Firepower at the Battle of Jam, 1528, Part Two".
  5. ^ Mikaberidze, Alexander. "Conflict and Conquest in the Islamic World: 2". p. 443.
  6. ^ tarixi, Azărbaycan. "Azărbaycan tarixi". p. 388.
  7. ^ Mass, Kelly. "Safavid Empire: The Giant Islamic Government in Iran and Surrounding Regions".
  8. ^ Tucker, Spencer C. "ZMiddle East Conflicts from Ancient Egypt to the 21st Century".
  9. ^ Haidar, Mansura. "Central Asia in the Sixteenth Century".
  10. ^ "Ўзбекистон миллий энциклопедияси" (PDF). p. 182.
  11. ^ "Central Asia in the Sixteenth Century". p. 167.
  12. ^ "The Devil of History : Firepower at the Battle of Jam, 1528, Part Two".
  13. ^ "The Memoirs of Shah Tahmasp I: Safavid Ruler of Iran". p. 61.
  14. ^ "OGM Iran At War 1500 1988". p. 43.
  15. ^ "Encyclopædia Iranica".
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