Capture of Mascara (1831)

The Capture of Mascara in 1831 was a conflict that happened during the establishment of the Abdelkader state following the collapse of the Regency of Algiers.

Capture of Mascara
Part of French conquest of Algeria
Date1831
Location
Result Kaderian victory
Belligerents
Regency of Algiers Mascara Garrison Emirate of Abdelkader
Support:
Tribes of Makhzen Saharaouia
Bordjia tribe
Commanders and leaders
Unknown Emir Abdelkader
Mahieddine Abu Abdelkader
Strength
Unknown Unknown
Casualties and losses
Heavy Unknown

Battle

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Mahieddine, Abdelkader's father, led the uprising. He was determined to fight the remaining Algerian garrisons. Abdelkader and Mahieddine attacked Mascara. Abdelkader distinguished himself in battle, appearing to be "safe from bullets and cannonballs, with horses killed beneath him".[1] He received assistance from the Sahrawi Makhzen tribes, who besieged the city, along with the Bordjia from the Mascara region. The plundered the city, and the entire garrison was massacred,[2] possibly after its surrender. The garrison fought to the end.[3]

Aftermath

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Encouraged by this expedition, Abdelkader then headed towards Oran to dislodge the French forces.[1] The following year, Abdelkader was recognized as a sultan and received the allegiance or "moubayaa" of the allied tribes in the Grand Mosque of Mascara.[4]

References

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  1. ^ a b L'Emir face à la soldatesque coloniale (in French). Editions Publibook. ISBN 978-2-7483-4997-9.
  2. ^ Benabdellah, Saïd (2007). Une époque et ses paradoxes: de l'aurore au crépuscule (in French). Ed. Dar el Gharb. ISBN 978-9961-54-724-3.
  3. ^ Emerit, Marcel (2002-02-09). L'Algérie à l'époque d'Abd-el-Kader (in French). Editions Bouchène. ISBN 978-2-35676-087-6.
  4. ^ Toperich, Sasha; Boukaila, Samy; Roberts, Jonathan (2019-01-29). Algeria and Transatlantic Relations. Brookings Institution Press. ISBN 978-0-9600127-0-1.