Muslim conquest of Majorca

The Conquest of Majorca by Muslim troops happened in 902 or 903. It was led by the Emirate of Córdoba and involved forces from the Byzantine Empire. These groups were besieged by Muslim armies in the Castle of Alaró for eight years and five months.

The leader of the Emirate of Córdoba, Abdullah of Córdoba, accepted the conquest and made Issam al-Khawlani the ruler of the island. He governed from 904 to 912.

A famous fortress called Castell d'Alaró stands on a high, rocky hill with a strong spring nearby. According to stories, after the island was taken, some groups held out in this fortress for many years before they had to leave because they ran out of food. Historians discuss exactly which groups, called "rums", were defending the fortress. The word could mean either the Byzantine Empire or Christians in general. By 897, a special message from the pope had made the islands part of the area controlled by the bishopric of Girona, showing that the leaders there were already very weak from earlier attacks by Muslim forces.

Muslim rule

The Muslim rule in Majorca started in the year 902. A man named Issam al-Khawlani, who worked for the Emir of Córdoba, was traveling to Mecca when a big storm forced him to stop in Majorca. After his trip, he told the emir, Abdullah, about the island and its strong defenses.

The emir then sent many ships to Majorca to take it over. The people there fought hard for eight years and five months before the Muslims succeeded. After that, many more Muslims came to live on the island, and it became part of the Emirate of Córdoba.

Governors of Majorca

Lords of Majorca of the Emirate of Córdoba (902–1012)

• Issam al-Khawlani (902–913)
• Abdullah ibn Issam al-Khawlani (913–946)
• Al-Muwaffaq (946–969)
• Kautir (969–998)
• Muqatil (998–1012)

Lords of Majorca of the Taifa of Dénia (1009–76)

• Abu-l-Abbàs ibn Raixiq (1016-?)
• Al-Àghlab (< 1041)
• Sulayman ibn Maxiqan (<1076)
• Abd-Al·lah ibn al-Murtada ibn al-Àghlab (1076–1087) Valí.

Independent Emirs of Majorca (1076–1115)

• Abd-Al·lah ibn al-Murtada ibn al-Àghlab (1087–1093), Emir.
• Mubàixxir Nàssir-ad-Dawla (1093–1114)
• Abu-r-Rabí Sulayman (1114–1115)

Almoravid lords of Majorca (1116–1203)

• Wànur ibn Abi-Bakr (1116–1126)
• Muhàmmad ibn Ghàniya (1126–1155)
• Ishaq ibn Muhàmmad ibn Ghàniya (1155–1184)
• Muhàmmad ibn Ishaq ibn Ghàniya (1184)
• Alí ibn Ghàniya (1184–1187)
• 'Abdallah ibn Ghaniya (1187–1203)

Almohad lords of Majorca (1203–1229)

• Abd-Al·lah ibn Ta-Al·lah al-Kumí (1203)
• Abu Zayd ibn Tujan (1204–1208)
• Abu Abd-Allah ibn Abi Hafs ibn Abdelmumen (1208)
• Abu Yahya Muhammad ibn Ali ibn Abi Imran al-Tinmalali (1208–1229)