Battle of Nehavende

After the defeat of the Persian troops under Qadisia in 636 , the Arabs seized Mesopotamia and in subsequent years were occupied with the conquest of Jazeera and military operations in Armenia and northern Syria. To establish themselves in Iraq, the Arabs created two main military bases - in Kufa and Basra . The Sasanian Shah Yazdigerd III , who fled after the battle of Qadisii to the eastern regions of the country, gradually managed to consolidate his power in them. To fight the Arabs, the Persians began to gather an army, which consisted of detachments of almost all the unconquered areas of the Sassanid kingdom. This army began to concentrate near the town of Nehavend . Arab governor Kufa Saad ibn Abu Wakkas was told about the gathering of Persian troops, and Saad announced the gathering of Arab troops warning about the danger of Caliph Omar . The Caliph sent troops from Basra and other areas to the aid of the Kuthians; commander of the Arab army was appointed one of the Companions of the Prophet an-Numan ibn Mukarrin .

The Muslim army moved from Iraq through Khuzestan along a mountain road to Media . Part of the Arab detachments, having passed through Fars , entered Nehavend from the south and southeast, blocking aid to the Persian army from these areas. The army of al-Numan stopped 12 km from Nehevend, setting up camp in Tazar. The Persian command adhered to defensive tactics, expecting the enemy and concentrating all forces in a single “fist” for the decisive battle. They built fortifications in Weikhurd, near Nehevend. To counteract the Arab cavalry, iron thorns were placed around the Persian camp. After conducting reconnaissance, the Arabs moved to Nehavend, camped 15-20 km from the city. Attempts to negotiate between the opposing parties ended in nothing.

According to sources, the battle lasted 3-4 days. After a period of confrontation, the Arab army launched an attack on the Persian fortifications. Several assaults were repulsed by the Persian troops, the Arabs could not overcome their fortifications. The ranks of the Persian troops were chained. In fierce battles, the sides suffered great losses, but the advantage did not pass to any of the armies. Then the Arabs made a false retreat, luring the Persians from their fortified positions. In the ensuing field battle, victory was inclined in favor of the Muslim army. At some time during the battle, an-Numan ibn Mukarrin died, his deputies replaced him, who also died in the thick of battle. But the death of the commander did not reduce the fighting spirit of the Arab troops, who continued their attacks on the Persians and turned the tide of battle. Persian troops broke into pieces, trying to retreat to the fortifications. Persian infantry was overtaken by Arabs and destroyed. After the defeat of the Persian army, the fortress of Nehavend surrendered to the Arabs.

Soon after the battle, Arab troops captured most of Western Iran. Shah Yezdigerd III no longer controlled the situation over most of the country and was forced to retreat further east.

The battle of Nehavende was the last major battle of the Sassanian state. After her organized resistance, the Arab troops no longer met.

• Tabari , "History of the Prophets and Kings"
• Al-Kufi, The Book of Conquest
• ad-Dinavarih, The Book of the Long News
• Balazuri , "Conquest of the countries"