The State and the Nomads
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• General feeling of disdain even during conquests to nomads: Umar “By God, I will not supply you until I have supplied the settled people” “imbecile Bedouin”.
• Nomads seen as dangerous as traditional power force in the region – outcome of dispute, Medina and Mecca, depended on who could mobilize a coalition of nomadic allies.  Survival Islamic state depended directly on domination of nomadic elements in Arabian society.
• Concern over nomad possible power and disdain for the way they lived led to positions of command being given to settled people
• Policy of settlement of nomads profound effects for the whole region.  Muhammad himself placed emphasis on Hirja – tax system nomads pay sadaqa whilst settled people alms
• Solve nomadic problems recruiting their finest and most dangerous warriors into the Arabian armies – thus increasing military power, whilst reducing real power of nomads in the desert.  Ata or stipend more of a reward for settling down. – Umar “The sooner one settles, the sooner one receives a stipend”
• Conscious policy of Islamic state to settle nomads during period of conquest.  Through recruitment and settlement in garrison cities nomads gradually integrated into state organization – cutting them off from former desert life and opportunities for opposition to Islamic State.
• Placement of garrison towns important -  yes defence against Byzantine and Sasanians and springboard for further campaign – but also keep an eye on nomadic Syrian an Arabian populace.  Ringing remaining nomads in desert with forts – garrison in alKufa central Iraq

Other Notes in this Category

1. A tribal society
2. Abu Bakr and Ridda wars
3. Causes of Islamic Conquest
4. Conclusions
5. Economics and Social Relations
6. Foundations of the islamic conquest
7. Introductory Points
8. muhammad’s consolidation
9. Muhammad’s Teachings
10. Political life in northern and central arabia
11. Religious Aristocracies
12. State and society in pre-islamic arabia
13. The early islamic world – patricia crone
14. The New Ruling Elite
15. The State and the Nomads
16. Tribe and state in arabia

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