Abd al-Rahman Sanchuelo facts for kids

Abd al-Rahman al-Mahdi (born 983 – died 4 March 1009), also known as Sanchol (meaning 'little Sancho'), was an important leader in the Caliphate of Córdoba. He held the powerful position of hajib (chief minister) under Caliph Hisham II starting in October 1008. At this time, the hajib held most of the real power in the caliphate. Just a month later, the Caliph even named him as his future heir. However, Sanchol was removed from power by a sudden uprising in February 1009 and was killed a few weeks later while trying to get his position back. Even though he was not a popular leader and made many mistakes, his removal led to the Caliphate of Córdoba breaking apart.

Early Life and Family Connections

Sanchol was born in Córdoba. His father was the powerful hajib Almanzor, and his mother was Abda, a Christian who had converted to Islam. Abda was the daughter of Sancho II of Pamplona, a Christian king. Sanchol got his nickname, which means 'little Sancho', from his Christian grandfather.

His father, Almanzor, had made the hajib role much more powerful than it used to be. It was no longer just an advisory job; the hajib became the real ruler of the Córdoba caliphate. Almanzor created his own court, led the armies, and kept Caliph Hisham II almost like a prisoner, away from the public. Sanchol grew up in his father's grand home, az-Zahira, just outside Córdoba. When he was about nine years old, in September 992, he rode out to welcome his grandfather, King Sancho II, and guide him to his father's court.

Becoming a Warrior

Sanchol's father made sure he and his older brother learned to be strong warriors. Around 995, troops from the Kingdom of Pamplona attacked Calatayud. To get revenge, Almanzor ordered the execution of some Pamplonan captives. Sanchol, then a young boy, was made to take part in this, even though one of the captives was his uncle.

When Sanchol was 14, in 997, he joined his father's military campaign against Santiago de Compostela. A poet named Ibn Darraj even wrote poems celebrating Sanchol's bravery in battle. In the Battle of Cervera in 1000, when the fight was going badly, his father sent him to the front lines to fight, showing how much he trusted Sanchol's courage.

Taking Power as Hajib

In 1002, Almanzor died. On his deathbed, he told his favorite son, Abd al-Malik al-Muzaffar, to quickly go to Caliph Hisham II in Córdoba. Almanzor wanted Al-Muzaffar to take over as hajib before anyone could object. The Caliph agreed, even though many people protested and wanted Hisham to rule directly. The new hajib had to use force to stop these protests.

Al-Muzaffar spent his time as hajib fighting many battles against the Christian kingdoms in the north. During one campaign in 1007, Sanchol was put in charge of prisoners from a captured fortress. He was ordered to execute the men and enslave the women and children.

Al-Muzaffar became ill in 1008 and had to stop a campaign. He died in October 1008.

Sanchol Becomes Hajib

After Al-Muzaffar's death, Sanchol quickly gained the loyalty of his brother's followers. He then received the Caliph's approval to become the next hajib. Just like when Almanzor died, the people of Córdoba were angry that the ʿĀmirid family continued to control the Caliph. Many also believed that Abd al-Rahman had poisoned his brother.

Sanchol's rule was very unpopular. People criticized his leadership style and choices. He seemed to represent all the anger the citizens of Córdoba felt about his family keeping the Caliph isolated. He made things worse by trying to be named the official successor to the caliphate. He convinced the chief judge of Córdoba and the official secretary to persuade Hisham II to make this announcement. Despite some hesitation, Hisham agreed and formally named Abd al-Rahman as his heir in November 1008.

This decision made many people in Córdoba, especially the middle class, very upset. They disliked his leadership and the idea of the caliphate passing out of the Umayyad dynasty (a powerful Arab family) to someone who was also the grandson of a Christian king from Pamplona. However, Sanchol still had the support of his well-paid army, which was mostly made up of Berber and Slav soldiers.

Losing Power and Death

Even though his son warned him not to leave Córdoba because of a possible uprising by descendants of Abd al-Rahman III, Sanchol decided to launch a winter military campaign. He wanted to punish the Christian kingdoms in the north, especially León, led by the young King Alfonso V.

He left his cousin, Ibn Asqaleya, in charge of Córdoba and departed with his army in mid-January. However, his troops got stuck in snow, mud, and floods, and Alfonso refused to fight. The caliphate army had to retreat to Toledo.

In Toledo, Sanchol learned that on 15 February 1009, a group of 30 armed men, led by Muhammad ibn Hisham ibn 'Abd al-Jabbar (a great-grandson of Abd al-Rahman III), had taken over the palace and killed the governor, Ibn Asqaleya. This action led to a larger uprising of the people, which resulted in Hisham II giving up his throne to Muhammad. Muhammad then appointed his cousin as the new hajib and sent him with his supporters to Sanchol's home, az-Zahira. The home was immediately surrendered and then completely looted over several days until only ruins remained.

Instead of returning to Córdoba right away, Abd al-Rahman took his army to Calatrava. He hesitated there, trying to see if his troops were still loyal. He failed to get them to renew their promises of loyalty, and this delay gave Muhammad time to fully take control of Córdoba.

As his army began to leave him, Sanchol turned to his Christian ally, Count García Gómez. García suggested that Sanchol abandon Córdoba and seek safety in the Christian north. But Sanchol believed that if he stayed near the city, his supporters would rise up and bring him back to power.

Accompanied only by the count's soldiers, Sanchol headed toward Córdoba. However, his Berber army deserted him. On 3 March, he reached Armilat, the last stop before the city, with only his household and the Banu Gómez troops. The next day, they were surrounded by horsemen sent by Muhammad. Abd al-Rahman expressed his willingness to surrender. He was then marched toward Córdoba, where he met a larger force led by the new hajib. Sanchol was killed during this attempt to regain power. Count García Gómez was also killed.

Sanchol's removal from power, just four months after he became hajib, had a huge impact on the political stability of al-Andalus. Muhammad II's success encouraged other Umayyad family members and local lords to rebel. These rivals then sought support from neighboring Christian states. This completely changed the balance of power in the region. The Caliphate of Córdoba broke into many smaller, warring kingdoms called taifas. These taifas often paid tribute to their Christian allies, which allowed the Christian kingdoms to greatly expand their territories and strengthen their control by bringing in Christian settlers from the north and Mozarabs (Christians living under Muslim rule) who were fleeing the chaos of the former caliphate.

See also

In Spanish: Abderramán Sanchuelo para niños