Almoravid Dynasty (Moroccan History)

Yahya Ibn Ibrahim goes to Hajj

1036

Yahya Ibn Ibrahim was the leader of the Sandhaja Confederation and the Gdala tribe. When he went on his Hajj he stopped in Qayrawan and heard a speech by Abu Imran Al-Fassi who had been previously expelled from Fes by the Bani Maghrawa. Abu Imran requested a student accompany Yahya Ibn Ibrahim into the desert but none accepted except Abdallah Ibn Yassine. He agreed to teach Yahya's tribe - Ibn Yassine was a Maliki jurist. Ibn Yassine spends the next decade in the desert spreading moral reform.

Founding of the Almoravids

1039

Death of Yahya Ibn Ibrahim

1050

Before his death, the Gdala tribe treated Abdellah Ibn Yassine as a religious leader but because he was so severe with punishments he had many enemies and was ousted by the tribe.

Return of the Almoravids and conquering of Sijilmasa

1054

After Yahya Ibn Ibrahim was ousted he met Yahya Ibn Omar who was from the Lamtuna tribe but his mother was from the Gdala tribe. Together they travelled to modern-day Mauritania and started with 7 men which became 1000 by the time they arrived in Aribat. There he named them Murabitun which means those joined in piety. They returned once they were powerful enough and took over much of southern Morocco. They conquered Sijilmasa and destroyed the Bani Maghrawa.

Death of Yahya Ibn Umar

1056

Died in the battle of Sijilmasa

Aghmat is conquered

1058

Death of Ibn Yusuf in battle against the Barghwatta

1059

He lost his life in battle against the Barghwata of the Atlantic Plains. Afterward, power went to Abu Bakr Ibn Umar the brother of Yahya Ibn Umar. He started the conquest of the kingdom of Ghana

Building of Marrakech Starts

1062

Abu Bakr orders the building of Marrakech.

Yusuf Ibn Tashfin comes into power

1070

By this point, Abu Bakr Ibn Umar had established Marrakesh as his new capital and Yusuf Ibn Tashfin was his lieutenant. Abu Bakr had taken an army into the Sahara to deal with some uprisings and left Ibn Tashfin in charge. When he returned Ibn Tashfin refused to return power and Abu Bakr was forced out. Ibn Tashfin proclaimed himself Emir of the Muslims. He also managed to maintain an at least not negative relationship with the Abbassids. During his reign, he brought Fes, Tangier, and Sale in.

Castilian Armies Take Toledo

1083

Castillian armies took Toledo which led to Maliki jurists, who held a privileged position and were even responsible for some political decisions, to recommend intervention in Al Andalus with the objective of halting the Castilian advance. Seville was under threat from Alfonso VI. (At this point Almoravids control from Algiers to Tangier)

Battle of Zallaqa/Sagrajas

1086

Victory for Ibn Tashfin. Alfonso VI had 2500 Ibn Tashfin has 7500. Al Fonso lose 50-75% of his men Ibn Tashfin lost 30-50%. His soldiers wanted to pursue the retreating Christians but he was reluctant. However, this victory allowed him to bring the Taifas/Emirates under his control and annex their territory.

Siege of Toledo

1088

Unsuccessful siege by Ibn Tashfin

Ibn Tashfin forces surrender of Malaga and and Grenada

1090

He arrived in Iberia forced Malaga and Grenada to surrender to him and left his nephew Sir Ibn Abu Bakr to continue his work. Ibn Tashfin declared the Taifa rulers unlawful which drove Seville to attempt to ally with Alfonso.

Sir Ibn Abu Bakr defeats Cordoba and Seville

1091

Ibn Abu Bakr conquered Cordoba and the valley. He forced Seville, which had been attempting to ally with Alfonso, to surrender

Sir Ibn Abu Bakr conquers half of Iberia

1094

He was making a deal with Badajos but they were making another deal with Alfonso. He found out and took over the whole kingdom.

El Cid takes over Valencia (not exact date)

1095

Failed siege on Valencia

1097

Ibn Tashfin showed up personally but it was still a fail.

Death of El Cid conquering Valencia

1099

After the death of El Cid, the Almoravids took over Valencia

Death of Ibn Tashfin

1106

He had by this point already declared his son, Ali Ibn Yusuf, his heir. He was 22 when he took power

Almoravids take Zaragoza

1110

The leader died and they took it. They reached all the way to the Pyrenees.

Minbar of the Koutoubia

1125

This was ordered by the Almoravids between 1125 and 1130

Marrakech Falls to Almohads

1147