NUR AL DIN ZANGI & CRUSADERS: 1147-1174 A.D.

After the first Crusade, the Muslims were subdued. Gradually Muslim world began to realise that stranger was in its midst, though it must not be forgotten that the Muslim world was no longer one continuous belt from Kashghar to Cordova as before. Imad Al-Din Zangi moved to west and had gradually made himself master of the area between Mosul and Aleppo. He was a strong man and a fearless fighter and was soon at grips with Christians. He conquered al-Ruha town which lay on the caravan route from Syria to Baghdad and was under the rule of Christians.

The news of al-Ruha'sfall was received with concern by Pope Eugenius III and preparations were madeforthe Second Crusade. The German Emperor, Conrad III, and the King of France, Louis VII, answered the call. The Crusaders besieged Damascus, but they did not succeed in their venture. At the same time King of Sicily attacked the Muslim Islands in the Aegean Sea and drove the Muslim out of them all. This was a great blow to the prestige of Islam and it was widely resented. Nur al-Din, a very capable son of Imdad al-Din Zangi, had succeeded his father in 1146. He immediately set about fighting Crusaders systematically. He captured the entire district of al-Ruha and imprisoned its governor, Count Jocelin II. He later attacked the ruler Antioch, Bohemund II, defeated them and captured them too. Nur al-Din became a terror to the Christians. He died in 1174.


"For the first time the Crusaders confronted a united and powerful Muslim state in Syria and Mesopotamia—increasingly affected by the new mood of Holy War against the Christian invaders".