Sunpadh Rebellion

The Rebellion of Sunpadh was Zoroastrian uprising against the Abbasid Caliphate in retaliation for the Execution of Abu Muslim al-Khurasani. The rebellion seemed clearly driven by Sunpadh’s close connection to Abu Muslim, as he was one of his companions and supporters. He threatened in marching to Mecca and destroy the Kaaba. The rebellion ended up being suppressed with Sunpadh murdered.

Sunpadh Rebellion
Map of Sunpadh's Rebellion against the Abbasid Caliphate in 137 AH / 755 AD.
Date 137 AH / 755 AD Location Khorasan and some parts of the mountains and it's surroundings Result Abbasid victory[1]
Belligerents
Abbasid Caliphate	Sunpadh Movement Supported by : Daylamites Dabuyids of Tabaristan
Commanders and leaders
Jahwar ibn Marar [ar]	Sunpadh X
Strength
10,000 Troops	90,000–100,000 Rebels[2]
Casualties and losses
Unknown	60,000 killed[3]

Background and Rebellion

The news of Abu Muslim al-Khurasani’s Execution led to disturbances to the people of Khurasan and the broader Persian population, from northeastern to western Iran many mourned his death, believing they had lost their savior and the most significant figure to emerge from their ranks since the Islamic conquest of Persia. In early 755, with an aim to avenge the murder, Sunpadh, a Zoroastrian from the village of Ahan or Ahrawanah in the district of Nishapur of Khorasan. Sunpadh was the Chief of Nishapur, who rebelled against the Abbasid Caliphate.^[4][5] The rebellion erupted under Sunpadh's leadership, driven by his personal allegiance to Abu Muslim, whose assassination served as the catalyst that triggered the revolt. where Sunpadh propagated messianic beliefs concerning Abu Muslim's fate, asserting that his mentor's death was not final:

Abu Muslim would return from the dead, accompanied by the Mahdi of the Rafidites and Mazdak, to guide his followers to ultimate triumph.^[6]

Another motivation for Sunpadh's uprising was his pursuit of restoring of the ancient Persian religion (Zoroastrianism) while simultaneously pursuing the expulsion of Arab forces from Persian territories. His radical anti-Islamic agenda culminated in his bold declaration to destroy the Kaaba itself. This rebellious position gained strong support throughout Ray and Jibal, where many followers rallied to his cause. The movement gained vital assistance from the Ispahbadh of Tabaristan, known as the Dabuyid ruler, Khurshid (r. 740–760), supported the anti-Abbasid rebellion, whose the domain remained minimally affected by Islamic influence and whose assistance proved essential for the rebellion's early momentum.^[7][8] Sunpadh managed to capture the cities of Nishapur, Ray, and defeat the governor of Qumis and capture the city. He earned the title of "Firuz Ispahbadh" ("the victorious Ispahbadh").^[9] Sunpadh dispatched correspondence to the Daylamite ruler, proclaiming his success in overthrowing Arab dominance in the region. At Ray, he took over the treasures and resources of Abu Muslim that had been left there when Abu Muslim had set out for his intended audience with the Abbasid Caliph, al-Saffah.^[7][8][10]

Suppression of Rebellion and assassination of Sunpadh

The Abbasid Caliph al-Mansur responded to Sunpadh's rebellion by dispatching a substantial military force under the command of Jahwar ibn Marrar al-Ijli. The expedition comprised approximately 10,000 troops, including Khurasani forces from Iraq, Arab contingents from western Iran, and additional units from Fars, Khuzistan, Isfahan, and Qum. The Ijli tribe, being the dominant Arab clan in the Jibal region, provided significant support to Jahwar's campaign.^[3][7] Before the decisive engagement, Jahwar addressed his troops to motivate them for the impending battle, framing the conflict in religious and material terms:

You will be fighting people bent on eliminating your religion and expelling you from your world of wealth and power.^[7][11]

— Jahwar ibn Marrar al-Ijli

The decisive confrontation occurred between Hamadhan and Ray at the desert's edge. Despite initial resistance, Sunpadh's forces suffered a catastrophic defeat, with approximately 30,000 to 60,000 of his followers reportedly killed during the rout. The aftermath saw the capture of women and children among Sunpadh's supporters as prisoners of war.^[3][7][2] Following his military defeat, Sunpadh and his brother attempted to seek sanctuary in Tabaristan. However, their refuge proved fatal when a relative of the local Tabaristan ruler assassinated both brothers and delivered their severed heads to Jahwar. The entire rebellion, from its inception to Sunpadh's death, lasted merely seventy days.^[7][11] According to the historian Ibn Isfandiyar, countless of Abu Muslim's and Sunpadh's supporters were killed in the defeat that their bones were still noticeable in 912.^[2] It is possible, however, that the murder was instigated by the ruler of Tabaristan, Khurshid, in the hope of acquiring the remainder of Abu Muslim's treasure.^[12]

See also

• Khurramites
• Rawandiyya
• Abu Muslim
• Babak Khorramdin
• Babak Khorramdin Revolt
• Mazdakism