# Zutt Rebellion

Zutt Rebellion was a rebellion by the Zutt (Jats) Who were inhabitants of lower Indus Valley (Pakistan), between 810 and 835 in Iraq during the reign of al-Ma'mun and continued to the era of al-Mu'tasim.

## Background

The Rebellion began from the Zutt tribe of Jats, who had migrated into Mesopotamia several centuries ago. They supplied mercenary soldiers for the Ummayyad and Abbasid Caliphate. These soldiers would settle in nowadays Iraq and marry amongst local Arab women. Thus forming the Az-Zutt tribe also known as Banu Zutt.

## Rebellion

During circa. 810, Yusuf ibn Zutt began a rebellion against the Abbasid Caliphate which created semi-independent state in the Marshlands of Southern Iraq (Mesopotamian Marshes). Isa ibn Yazid al-Juludi would be sent by caliph Al Ma'mun to crush the rebellion, but would fail to do so. Isa ibn Yazid al-Juludi and Ahmad bin Qutayba would be sent by caliph Al Ma'mun to crush the rebellion, but would fail to do so.
Under the tribal leader, Muhammad Ibn Uthman, rebellion continued when Kufa, Basra, Wasit, Al-Jazira and surrounding places of Baghdad came under his control. This caused a major disruption of resources and food to Baghdad, putting the Abbasids in danger.

## Naval raids

Mu'tasim's army employed similarly meticulous tactics to suppress a Zutt rebellion in southern Iraq. However, the new Turkish troops were not involved, as their strategies were ill-suited for the marshes and densely cultivated palm groves. Instead, other forces blocked off hundreds of reedy canals used by the Zutt for raids in small boats, and then methodically advanced into rebel-held territory.

## Capture of Basra

The Capture of Basra was a significant event in the Zutt Rebellion. After a series of successful military engagements and leveraging their control over the region's vital waterways and marshlands, the Zutts launched a assault on the city of Basra. Their guerrilla tactics and their strategic advantage in navigating the waterways allowed them to isolate the city and launch surprise raids. The Abbasid Caliphate forces, struggling against the challenging terrain and the Zutt tactics, failed to mount an effective defense.

## Capture of Wasit

The Capture of Wasit was an important moment in the Zutt Rebellion. The Zutts, using their dominance over the marshlands and waterways between Wasit and Basra, launched a coordinated attack on Wasit. Their intimate knowledge of the terrain and reliance on guerrilla tactics enabled them to overwhelm Abbasid defenses and seize control of the city.
The Abbasid forces, commanded by Al-Mu'tasim, suffered heavy casualties as they struggled to counter the Zutt's ambushes in the marshes. The fall of Wasit allowed the Zutts to establish temporary rule over the city and destabilized Abbasid authority in the region.

## End of Rebellion

After the passing of al-Ma'mun, al-Mu'tasim becomes Caliph of the Abbasids. With a reformed military, he took charge of the dire situation of the rebellion, sending Ujayf ibn Anbasa to successfully crush the rebellion in 835. He then dispersed the Zutt population to different parts of the Caliphate to prevent another rebellion. Muhammad Ibn Uthman still retained the position of tribal leader after rebellion, however with a weaker force.