Eslamu Sagad (Amharic: ልብነ ድንግል) was a general and nobleman in the Ethiopian Empire under Lebna Dengel who served as governor of Fatagar during the Ethiopian-Adal War.
Eslamu Sagad | |
|---|---|
ልብነ ድንግል | |
| Governor of Fatagar | |
| In office Unknown–1531 | |
| Preceded by | Unknown |
| Succeeded by | Ura’i Uthman |
| Personal details | |
| Born | c. 15th century |
| Died | April 13, 1531 Zari, Fatagar, Ethiopian Empire |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | Ethiopian Empire |
| Rank | Azmach |
| Battles/wars | Ethiopian–Adal War |
Biography
editAccording to Ethiopian sources he received the name Eslamu Sagad due to his many battle with Muslim Adalites. Eslamu served as governor of Fatagar from at least 1527 to his death in 1531.[1] Eslamu was in Damot during the beginning of the War specifically during Shimbra Kure however after General Degalhan, Lebna Dengel’s Brother-in-Law, requested to return to King's side in order to avoid fighting Ahmed Gurey’s army. Lebna Dengel placed Eslamu as Commander-in-chief of the Ethiopian Army.[2] Eslamu's arrival greatly increased Ethiopian morale due to his reputation and highly esteemed position in the Lebna Dengel's court. However, during The Battle of Antukyah Eslamu's forces were completely routed with a large portion of his army killed. Eslamu fled to Zari where he received orders from Lebna Dengel, who was angered by the loss at Antukyah, berating him for losing to a much smaller force and demoting him and placed him under the command of Takla Iyasus, the governor of Angot.[2]: 146 At Zari the Muslims were able to catch the Christian force off guard due to intelligence gathered from native Crypto Muslims. Eslamu was killed by an Adalite cavalryman by the name of Abū Bakr bin Garād Yumaj Ahmad during the battle.[3]
References
edit- ^ The Tragedy of Emperor Libne-Dingil of Ethiopia (1508-1540) pg.43
- ^ a b Shihāb al-Dīn, Aḥmad ibn ʻAbd al-Qādir (2003). Futūḥ Al-Ḥabaša: The Conquest of Abyssinia [16th Century]. Translated by Stenhouse, Paul Lester. Hollywood, California, USA: Tsehai Publishers & Distributors. p. 133. ISBN 9780972317269.
- ^ Frederick A. Edwards (1905). The Conquest of Abyssinia pp.336.
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