Greatest Historical Military General in the Middle-East?

[BordoEnes]

I took the liberty of making a list of possible candidates for the tittle.

*Rank = their social status beside being a military commander or general.

Nūr ad-Dīn
Rank: Atabeg of Aleppo
Affiliation: The Seljuk Empire

In 1149 he defeated Raymond of Poitiers, Prince of Antioch(another prince later aswell), at the battle of Inab, and the next year conquered the remnants of the state of Edessa west of the Euphrates.In 1154 he captured Damascus from the Burid Dynasty that ruled it. His decision to send his general Shirkuh to Egypt would prove desicive as Shirkuhs nephew Salahdin would one day retake most of the holy land and complete Nuruddins mission.

Battle of Inab - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Siege of Edessa - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Umar
Rank: Caliph.
Affiliation: Rashidun Caliphate

Military tactician and strategist in nature. Under Umar, the caliphate expanded at an unprecedented rate, ruling the Sassanian Empire and more than two-thirds of the Byzantine Empire. His campaignes against the Sassanian Empire resulted in the conquest of Persia in fewer than two years (that’s pretty brutal).

Muslim conquest of Persia - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Tariq Ibn Ziyad
Rank: Governor of Tangiers
Affiliation: Umayyad Caliphate

Led an army against the Visigoths within Spain. He conquered and defeated his enemies against overwhelming odds. Relying on strategy and tactics rather then numbers on alot of his battles. Resulted into the conquest of present day Spain many years later.

Umayyad conquest of Hispania - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Battle of Guadalete - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Alp Arslan
Rank: Sultan
Affiliation: The Seljuk Empire

A born military leader. For his military prowess, personal valour, and fighting skills he obtained the name Alp Arslan, which means "Heroic Lion" in Turkish. His victory over the Byzantines at Manzikert ushered in the Turkish settlement of Anatolia. By crushing the Byzantine emperor at the battle and humiliating him, he was overthrown and the empire started to decline from that point on.

Battle of Manzikert - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Saladin
Rank: Sultan
Affiliation: Abbasid Caliphate

Saladin led the Muslim opposition to the European Crusaders in the Levant, crushing them at the battle of Hattin. This resulted in the re-capture of Palestine after 88 years of occupation. At the height of his power, his sultanate included Egypt, Syria, Mesopotamia, Hejaz, Yemen and other parts of North Africa.

Battle of Hattin - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Mustafa Kamal Ataturk
Rank: Bey, Pasha, President
Affiliation: The Ottoman Empire, Republic of Turkey

Commanded Turkish forces in the battle of Gallipoli and won against overwhelming odds. Prior to this he fought in the Balkans and Libya. After the treaty of Sevres he leaded a war thorn and broken people into a revolution and war of independence against multiple enemies and established the republic of Turkey against many odds.

Gallipoli Campaign - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Turkish War of Independence - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Timur
Rank: Emir
Affiliation: Timurid Empire

Timur is considered the last of the great nomadic conquerors of the Eurasian steppes, and his empire set the stage for the rise of the more structured and lasting Gunpowder Empires in the 1500s and 1600s. He conquered Persia, won against the Ottoman at the battle of Ankara and envisioned the restoration of the Mongol Empire. It is said had he not died, he would probably have conquered the eastern empires aswell(he was planning to do this, but he died before he could do this).

Battle of Ankara - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Nader Shah
Rank: Shah
Affiliation: Afsharid Dynasty, Safavid Dynasty

Restored a fragmented Persia. Often described by Historians as "Napoleon of Persia". Gaining his notorious military reputation after the Naderian wars, he became so powerfull that after serving them for many years, he disposed of the Safavids and created his own dynasty with relative ease. His empire briefly became so powerfull that it could match the Ottoman empire in terms of military might. Like Timur he envisioned an empire equal to that of the Mongol Empire.

Naderian Wars - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Cyrus the Great
Rank: King
Affiliation: The Achaemenid Empire

Cyrus built his empire by conquering first the Median Empire, then the Lydian Empire and eventually the Neo-Babylonian Empire. Either before or after Babylon, he led an expedition into central Asia subjugating powerfull warlords and noble men. Arguably one of the best military commanders in ancient times.

Battle of Pteria - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Battle of Opis - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Darius I
Rank: King
Affiliation: The Achaemenid Empire

Darius embarked on a campaign to Egypte where he defeated the armies of the Pharaoh and incorporating a large portion of Egypte into the Achaemenid Empire. After this he attacked and annexed the Indus valley, he led the first Persian invasion against the Greek city states. All the whilst re-subjugating several revolts.

First Persian invasion of Greece - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Achaemenid invasion of the Indus Valley - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Mahmud Ghaznavi
Rank: Sultan
Affiliation: The Ghaznavid Empire

Started off with Khorasan and ended up ruling over most of Iran, Pakistan, Afghanistan and NW India by crushing and giving the final blown to the declining Samanid Dynasty. Also won numerous victories over the Hindu Shahi dynasty.

Suleiman the Magnificent
Rank: Sultan
Affiliation: The Ottoman Empire

Under his reign the Ottoman empire reached its apex in terms of military, political and economical power. He personally led the Ottoman armies, sieged and conquered Belgrade, Rhodes and annexed a lot of former Safavid territory. He also annexed and conquered Libya and made the Ottoman naval fleet the dominant force in the Mediterranean to the Red Sea and throughout the Persian Gulf.

Siege of Belgrade (1521) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Battle of Mohács - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Selim the Grim
Rank: Sultan
Affiliation: The Ottoman Empire

Arguably the most battle hardened Ottoman military tactician and strategist. Under his reign the Ottoman gained swift victories and gained immense amount of land. He defeated the Savafids at the battle of Chaldiran and nearly killed Shah Ismail. The Ottoman Empire expanded the most under his reign conquering modern day Algeria, Mamluk Sultanate of Egypte, the Levant, the holy cities of Mekka and Medina and south-east Turkey. And he did this all in his short 8 year reign.

Battle of Chaldiran - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Ottoman–Mamluk War (1516–17) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Mehmed the Conquerer
Rank: Sultan
Affiliation: The Ottoman Empire

The person of the Islamic prophecy about the conquest of Constantinople. He conquered Constantinople and ended the millennium old Roman empire for good. Beside this great achievement He conquered Serbia, Morea, Trebizond, the Black Sea coast, Wallachia, Bosnia, Albania, Moldavia, Karamanids(their rivals) and won countless other battles.

Fall of Constantinople - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
List of campaigns of Mehmed the Conqueror - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Khalid Ibn Al-Wali
Rank: Governor of Iraq and Chalcis
Affiliation: Rashidan Caliphate

The companion of the Islamic prophet Mohammed. He conquered all of Arabia and won decisive victory against the overwhelming odds he defeated the Sassanians and the Byzantines(a remarkable feat considering the might of the two empires). Under his command his armies defeated and annexed the Persian territories of Mesopotamia. After which he attacked and successfully sieged several Byzantines cities such as Damascus. He destroyed the balance of power within the known world at the time. That’s pretty goddamn impressive.

Muslim conquest of Persia - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Arab–Byzantine wars - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Baibars
Rank: Sultan
Affiliation: Bahri Dynasty

Under his command his army defeated the Mongols at the battle of Ain Jalut, which is the first time someone ever permanently halted the advances of the Mongol led horde and also defeated them at the battle of Elbistan. He conquered the Crusader Krak des Chevaliers fortress and the Kingdom of Makuria. Arguably the most underrated and unknown military leader on the list.

Battle of Ain Jalut - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Battle of Elbistan - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia


@AUSTERLITZ @Joe Shearer

Fyi i am conflicted between Khalid ibn Al-Wali, Nader Shah and Selim the Grim.

 

[Talwar e Pakistan]

I took the liberty of making a list of possible candidates for the tittle.

*Rank = their social status beside being a military commander or general.

Nūr ad-Dīn
Rank: Atabeg of Aleppo
Affiliation: The Seljuk Empire

In 1149 he defeatedRaymond of Poitiers,Prince of Antioch(another prince later aswell), at thebattle of Inab, and the next year conquered the remnants of theCounty of Edessawest of theEuphrates.In 1154 he capturedDamascusfrom theBurid dynastythat ruled it. He was even ready to attack Saladin but his death made that dream short.

Battle of Inab - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Siege of Edessa - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Umar
Rank: Caliph.
Affiliation: Rashidun Caliphate

Military tactician and strategist in nature. Under Umar, the caliphate expanded at an unprecedented rate, ruling theSasanian Empireand more than two-thirds of theByzantine Empire.]His attacks against the Sasanian Empire resulted in theconquest of Persiain fewer than two years (that’s pretty brutal)(642–644).Muslim conquest of Persia - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Tariq Ibn Ziyad
Rank: Governor of Tangiers
Affiliation: Umayyad Caliphate

Led an army against the Visigoths within Spain. He conquered and defeated his enemies against overwhelming odds. Relying on strategy and tactics rather then numbers on alot of his battles. Resulted into the conquest of present day Spain many years later.

Umayyad conquest of Hispania - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Battle of Guadalete - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Alp Arslan
Rank: Sultan
Affiliation: The Seljuk Empire

A born military leader. For his military prowess, personal valour, and fighting skills he obtained the name Alp Arslan, which means "Heroic Lion" in Turkish. His victory over the Byzantines at Manzikert ushered in the Turkish settlement of Anatolia. By crushing the Byzantine emperor at the battle and humiliating him, he was overthrown and the empire started to decline from that point on.

Battle of Manzikert - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Saladin
Rank: Sultan
Affiliation: Abbasid Caliphate

Saladin led the Muslim opposition to the European Crusaders in the Levant, crushing them at the battle of Hattin. This resulted in the re-capture of Palestine after 88 years of occupation. At the height of his power, his sultanate included Egypt, Syria, Mesopotamia, Hejaz, Yemen and other parts of North Africa.

Battle of Hattin - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Mustafa Kamal Ataturk
Rank: Bey, Pasha, President
Affiliation: The Ottoman Empire, Republic of Turkey

Commanded Turkish forces in the battle of Gallipoli and won against overwhelming odds. Prior to this he fought in the Balkans and Libya. After the treaty of Sevres he leaded a war thorn and broken people into a revolution and war of independence against multiple enemies and established the republic of Turkey against many odds.

Gallipoli Campaign - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Turkish War of Independence - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Timur
Rank: Emir
Affiliation: Timurid Empire

Timur is considered the last of the great nomadic conquerors of the Eurasian steppes, and his empire set the stage for the rise of the more structured and lasting Gunpowder Empires in the 1500s and 1600s. He conquered Persia, won against the Ottoman at the battle of Ankara and envisioned the restoration of the Mongol Empire.

Battle of Ankara - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Nader Shah
Rank: Shah
Affiliation: Afsharid Dynasty, Safavid Dynasty

Restored a fragmented Persia. Often described by Historians as "Napoleon of Persia". Gaining his notorious military reputation after the Naderian wars, he became so powerfull that he disposed of the Safavids and created his own dynasty. His empire briefly became so powerfull that it could match the Ottoman empire in terms of military might.

Naderian Wars - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Cyrus the Great
Rank: King
Affiliation: The Achaemenid Empire

Cyrus built his empire by conquering first theMedian Empire, then theLydian Empireand eventually theNeo-Babylonian Empire. Either before or after Babylon, he led an expedition into central Asia subjugating warlords and noble men.

Battle of Pteria - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Battle of Opis - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Darius I
Rank: King
Affiliation: The Achaemenid Empire

Darius embarked on a campaign toEgyptwhere he defeated the armies of the Pharaoh and incorporating a large portion ofEgypt into the Achaemenid Empire. After this he attacked and annexed the Indus valley, he led the first Persian invasion against the Greek city states. All the whilst re-subjugating several revolts.

First Persian invasion of Greece - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Achaemenid invasion of the Indus Valley - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Mahmud Ghaznavi
Rank: Sultan
Affiliation: The Ghaznavid Empire

Started off with Khorasan and ended up ruling over most of Iran, Pakistan, Afghanistan and NW India by crushing and giving the final blown to the declining Samanid Dynasty. Also won numerous victories over the Hindu Shahi dynasty.

Suleiman the Magnificent
Rank: Sultan
Affiliation: The Ottoman Empire

Under his reign the Ottoman empire reached its apex in terms of military, political and economical power. He personally led the Ottoman armies, sieged and conquered Belgrade, Rhodes and annexed a lot of former Safavid territory. He also annexed and conquered Libya and made the Ottoman naval fleet the dominant force in the Mediterranean to the Red Sea and throughout the Persian Gulf.

Siege of Belgrade (1521) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Battle of Mohács - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Selim the Grim
Rank: Sultan
Affiliation: The Ottoman Empire

Arguably the most battle hardened Ottoman military tactician and strategist. Under his reign the Ottoman gained swift victories and gained immense amount of land. He defeated the Savafids at the battle of Chaldiran and nearly killed Shah Ismail. The Ottoman Empire expanded the most under his reign conquering modern day Algeria, Mamluk Sultanate of Egypte, the Levant, the holy cities of Mekka and Medina and south-east Turkey. And he did this all in his short 8 year reign.

Battle of Chaldiran - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Ottoman–Mamluk War (1516–17) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Mehmed the Conquerer
Rank: Sultan
Affiliation: The Ottoman Empire

The person of the Islamic prophecy about the conquest of Constantinople. He conquered Constantinople and ended the millennium old Roman empire for good. Beside this great achievement He conquered Serbia, Morea, Trebizond, the Black Sea coast, Wallachia, Bosnia, Albania, Moldavia, Karamanids(their rivals) and won countless other battles.

Fall of Constantinople - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
List of campaigns of Mehmed the Conqueror - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Khalid Ibn Al-Wali
Rank: Governor of Iraq and Chalcis
Affiliation: Abbasid Caliphate

The companion of the Islamic prophet Mohammed. He conquered all of Arabia and won decisive victory against the overwhelming odds he defeated the Sassanians and the Byzantines(a remarkable feat considering the might of the two empires). Under his command his armies defeated and annexed the Persian territories of Mesopotamia. After which he attacked and successfully sieged several Byzantines cities such as Damascus. He destroyed the balance of power within the known world at the time. That’s pretty goddamn impressive.

Muslim conquest of Persia - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Arab–Byzantine wars - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Baibars
Rank: Sultan
Affiliation: Bahri Dynasty

Under his command his army defeated the Mongols at the battle of Ain Jalut, which is the first time someone ever permanently halted the advances of the Mongol led horde and also defeated them at the battle of Elbistan. He conquered the Crusader Krak des Chevaliers fortress and the Kingdom of Makuria. Arguably the most underrated and unknown military leader on the list.

Battle of Ain Jalut - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Battle of Elbistan - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia


@AUSTERLITZ @Joe Shearer

Fyi i am conflicted between Khalid ibn Al-Wali, Nader Shah and Selim the Grim.

The top is no doubt Khalid.

 

[BordoEnes]

The top is no doubt Khalid.

Cant argue with that. But i feel like Selim would have been better had he lived and ruled longer. He did so much in only 8 years time. But then again Umar conquered all of the Sassanian empire in 2 years time. Goddamn this is hard to chose from..

 

[damm1t]

Oh man this list looks like All-Star of legendary commanders... You didn't make it any easy to choose.

 

[BordoEnes]

Oh man this list looks like All-Star of legendary commanders... You didn't make it any easy to choose.

Hehehe it took me a couple days to put it together

 

[Khafee]

Khalid bin Al Walid R.A., was no doubt the greatest, but that is my opinion.

Nur ud din Zengi R.A. was a great General as well. AND he shares something else with Khalid bin Al Walid, he also saw the Prophet PBUH, but in his dream. And was chosen for a very noble cause. I won't go into details, people can google the rest.

 

[BordoEnes]

Would like to have the Opinions of:

Iranians: @Serpentine @haman10 @The Last of us @rahi2357 @JEskandari @Daneshmand

Arabs: @Amir_Pharaoh @BLACKEAGLE @Frogman @Saif al-Arab @Khafee

Azeri's: @Azeri440 @Kamil_baku @ASQ-1918

Turks: @LegionnairE @cabatli_53 @xenon54 @Combat-Master @Oublious

Just random names of the top of my head, dont be offended if you are not in it. Would like to know all of your opinion.

 

[Oublious]

In this case Khalid bin Walid. A warior his whole live, excellent strategic and tactics. I do not now which war he did lost, mayb i don't now.

I write this because i read almost every campagne he took and fighted. Ther is no one who can outmacth him in the list, that is mine opinion.

 

[LegionnairE]

My heart says Ataturk because he wasn't just an outstanding tactician and a strategist but because he was a good human being probably the most civilized person in that list

but the reality is, all of them combined wouldn't be as dangerous as Timur... the man was the biggest killing machine since Genghis Khan. And that's saying a lot.

 

[Joe Shearer]

I took the liberty of making a list of possible candidates for the tittle.

*Rank = their social status beside being a military commander or general.

Nūr ad-Dīn
Rank: Atabeg of Aleppo
Affiliation: The Seljuk Empire

In 1149 he defeated Raymond of Poitiers, Prince of Antioch(another prince later aswell), at the battle of Inab, and the next year conquered the remnants of the state of Edessa west of the Euphrates.In 1154 he captured Damascus from the Burid Dynasty that ruled it. His decision to send his general Shirkuh to Egypt would prove desicive as Shirkuhs nephew Salahdin would one day retake most of the holy land and complete Nuruddins mission.

Battle of Inab - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Siege of Edessa - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Umar
Rank: Caliph.
Affiliation: Rashidun Caliphate

Military tactician and strategist in nature. Under Umar, the caliphate expanded at an unprecedented rate, ruling the Sassanian Empire and more than two-thirds of the Byzantine Empire. His campaignes against the Sassanian Empire resulted in the conquest of Persia in fewer than two years (that’s pretty brutal).

Muslim conquest of Persia - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Tariq Ibn Ziyad
Rank: Governor of Tangiers
Affiliation: Umayyad Caliphate

Led an army against the Visigoths within Spain. He conquered and defeated his enemies against overwhelming odds. Relying on strategy and tactics rather then numbers on alot of his battles. Resulted into the conquest of present day Spain many years later.

Umayyad conquest of Hispania - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Battle of Guadalete - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Alp Arslan
Rank: Sultan
Affiliation: The Seljuk Empire

A born military leader. For his military prowess, personal valour, and fighting skills he obtained the name Alp Arslan, which means "Heroic Lion" in Turkish. His victory over the Byzantines at Manzikert ushered in the Turkish settlement of Anatolia. By crushing the Byzantine emperor at the battle and humiliating him, he was overthrown and the empire started to decline from that point on.

Battle of Manzikert - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Saladin
Rank: Sultan
Affiliation: Abbasid Caliphate

Saladin led the Muslim opposition to the European Crusaders in the Levant, crushing them at the battle of Hattin. This resulted in the re-capture of Palestine after 88 years of occupation. At the height of his power, his sultanate included Egypt, Syria, Mesopotamia, Hejaz, Yemen and other parts of North Africa.

Battle of Hattin - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Mustafa Kamal Ataturk
Rank: Bey, Pasha, President
Affiliation: The Ottoman Empire, Republic of Turkey

Commanded Turkish forces in the battle of Gallipoli and won against overwhelming odds. Prior to this he fought in the Balkans and Libya. After the treaty of Sevres he leaded a war thorn and broken people into a revolution and war of independence against multiple enemies and established the republic of Turkey against many odds.

Gallipoli Campaign - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Turkish War of Independence - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Timur
Rank: Emir
Affiliation: Timurid Empire

Timur is considered the last of the great nomadic conquerors of the Eurasian steppes, and his empire set the stage for the rise of the more structured and lasting Gunpowder Empires in the 1500s and 1600s. He conquered Persia, won against the Ottoman at the battle of Ankara and envisioned the restoration of the Mongol Empire. It is said had he not died, he would probably have conquered the eastern empires aswell(he was planning to do this, but he died before he could do this).

Battle of Ankara - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Nader Shah
Rank: Shah
Affiliation: Afsharid Dynasty, Safavid Dynasty

Restored a fragmented Persia. Often described by Historians as "Napoleon of Persia". Gaining his notorious military reputation after the Naderian wars, he became so powerfull that after serving them for many years, he disposed of the Safavids and created his own dynasty with relative ease. His empire briefly became so powerfull that it could match the Ottoman empire in terms of military might. Like Timur he envisioned an empire equal to that of the Mongol Empire.

Naderian Wars - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Cyrus the Great
Rank: King
Affiliation: The Achaemenid Empire

Cyrus built his empire by conquering first the Median Empire, then the Lydian Empire and eventually the Neo-Babylonian Empire. Either before or after Babylon, he led an expedition into central Asia subjugating powerfull warlords and noble men. Arguably one of the best military commanders in ancient times.

Battle of Pteria - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Battle of Opis - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Darius I
Rank: King
Affiliation: The Achaemenid Empire

Darius embarked on a campaign to Egypte where he defeated the armies of the Pharaoh and incorporating a large portion of Egypte into the Achaemenid Empire. After this he attacked and annexed the Indus valley, he led the first Persian invasion against the Greek city states. All the whilst re-subjugating several revolts.

First Persian invasion of Greece - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Achaemenid invasion of the Indus Valley - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Mahmud Ghaznavi
Rank: Sultan
Affiliation: The Ghaznavid Empire

Started off with Khorasan and ended up ruling over most of Iran, Pakistan, Afghanistan and NW India by crushing and giving the final blown to the declining Samanid Dynasty. Also won numerous victories over the Hindu Shahi dynasty.

Suleiman the Magnificent
Rank: Sultan
Affiliation: The Ottoman Empire

Under his reign the Ottoman empire reached its apex in terms of military, political and economical power. He personally led the Ottoman armies, sieged and conquered Belgrade, Rhodes and annexed a lot of former Safavid territory. He also annexed and conquered Libya and made the Ottoman naval fleet the dominant force in the Mediterranean to the Red Sea and throughout the Persian Gulf.

Siege of Belgrade (1521) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Battle of Mohács - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Selim the Grim
Rank: Sultan
Affiliation: The Ottoman Empire

Arguably the most battle hardened Ottoman military tactician and strategist. Under his reign the Ottoman gained swift victories and gained immense amount of land. He defeated the Savafids at the battle of Chaldiran and nearly killed Shah Ismail. The Ottoman Empire expanded the most under his reign conquering modern day Algeria, Mamluk Sultanate of Egypte, the Levant, the holy cities of Mekka and Medina and south-east Turkey. And he did this all in his short 8 year reign.

Battle of Chaldiran - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Ottoman–Mamluk War (1516–17) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Mehmed the Conquerer
Rank: Sultan
Affiliation: The Ottoman Empire

The person of the Islamic prophecy about the conquest of Constantinople. He conquered Constantinople and ended the millennium old Roman empire for good. Beside this great achievement He conquered Serbia, Morea, Trebizond, the Black Sea coast, Wallachia, Bosnia, Albania, Moldavia, Karamanids(their rivals) and won countless other battles.

Fall of Constantinople - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
List of campaigns of Mehmed the Conqueror - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Khalid Ibn Al-Wali
Rank: Governor of Iraq and Chalcis
Affiliation: Abbasid Caliphate

The companion of the Islamic prophet Mohammed. He conquered all of Arabia and won decisive victory against the overwhelming odds he defeated the Sassanians and the Byzantines(a remarkable feat considering the might of the two empires). Under his command his armies defeated and annexed the Persian territories of Mesopotamia. After which he attacked and successfully sieged several Byzantines cities such as Damascus. He destroyed the balance of power within the known world at the time. That’s pretty goddamn impressive.

Muslim conquest of Persia - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Arab–Byzantine wars - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Baibars
Rank: Sultan
Affiliation: Bahri Dynasty

Under his command his army defeated the Mongols at the battle of Ain Jalut, which is the first time someone ever permanently halted the advances of the Mongol led horde and also defeated them at the battle of Elbistan. He conquered the Crusader Krak des Chevaliers fortress and the Kingdom of Makuria. Arguably the most underrated and unknown military leader on the list.

Battle of Ain Jalut - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Battle of Elbistan - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia


@AUSTERLITZ @Joe Shearer

Fyi i am conflicted between Khalid ibn Al-Wali, Nader Shah and Selim the Grim.

It is a good list, as it goes. However, I have a jaundiced view of it. It seems to be exclusively Muslim (I did see Cyrus and Darius there). If you dig around a little, or twist the arm of @AUSTERLITZ , you might get a more broad-based list.

Still remains a good list.

To deviate from the Middle East for just a moment - AFAIK, Khalid bin Walid, NOT my favourite general, or favourite person, is one of the four or five unbeaten generals from throughout history. Suvorov, except for an Alpine episode which was dicey, was another; Alexander III of Macedonia a third, and offhand I forget the other two. Or three.It is interesting but neither Wellington nor Napoleon was unbeaten. I forget about Marlborough. Gustavus Adolphus? Zhukov? Don't remember. I don't recall any from Indian history; perhaps Sher Shah came close.We don't know enough precise detail about either Samudragupta or the Rashtrakutas, or they might have had a place in the lists.

 

[BordoEnes]

It is a good list, as it goes. However, I have a jaundiced view of it. It seems to be exclusively Muslim (I did see Cyrus and Darius there). If you dig around a little, or twist the arm of @AUSTERLITZ , you might get a more broad-based list.

Still remains a good list.

To deviate from the Middle East for just a moment - AFAIK, Khalid bin Walid, NOT my favourite general, or favourite person, is one of the four or five unbeaten generals from throughout history. Suvorov, except for an Alpine episode which was dicey, was another; Alexander III of Macedonia a third, and offhand I forget the other two. Or three.It is interesting but neither Wellington nor Napoleon was unbeaten. I forget about Marlborough. Gustavus Adolphus? Zhukov? Don't remember. I don't recall any from Indian history; perhaps Sher Shah came close.We don't know enough precise detail about either Samudragupta or the Rashtrakutas, or they might have had a place in the lists.

Well if we are going to talk about the best military generals in human history we would have a list atleast 20x longer hehehe. But yeah it was never my intention to post solely muslim generals or conquerers, its pure coincedence and i didnt even notice is until you mentioned it. These are just famous known people of the top of my head. But if you know a couple more people ill be happy to add it to my list.

Fyi i recall reading about an ancient Chinese general that was considered among the greatest generals in Chinese history. He never lost a battle and was ruthless. Let me try to find it up.

EDIT: His name was Bai Qi. I actually came to know know him by reading this manga that is about the periode of the warring states, its named Kingdom. Its extremely detailed and focused on tactics and strategies of that time. If you are a history warfare nut i highly recommend you to read it.

 

[Joe Shearer]

Well if we are going to talk about the best military generals in human history we would have a list atleast 20x longer hehehe. But yeah it was never my intention to post solely muslim generals or conquerers, its pure coincedence and i didnt even notice is until you mentioned it. These are just famous known people of the top of my head. But if you know a couple more people ill be happy to add it to my list.

Fyi i recall reading about an ancient Chinese general that was considered among the greatest generals in Chinese history. He never lost a battle and was ruthless. Let me try to find it up.

EDIT: His name was Bai Qi. I actually came to know know him by reading this manga that is about the periode of the warring states, its named Kingdom. Its extremely detailed and focused on tactics and strategies of that time. If you are a history warfare nut i highly recommend you to read it.

I love reading about Chinese history, and am slowly getting into it. Thanks for the tip.

The man you need to get hold of is @AUSTERLITZ (who is Austerlitz 2.0?). He will tell you about Surena of Carrhae, and Khair-ed-din Barbarossa (also a Muslim - I have no problem with a list full of Muslims, if it is a full and well-thought through list), and about others who might have made the list, like at least one or two of the Diadochi. Are you counting the Byzantines as part of the Middle East? Then, only if so, you should include my personal favourite - the noble Belisarius, who always fought with one arm tied behind his back, for an Emperor who depended on him and simultaneously envied him. That brings up Narses, but most of the victories of Narses were in Italy.

All in all, a good list. Maybe one or two need to be inserted - Surena for sure.

Well if we are going to talk about the best military generals in human history we would have a list atleast 20x longer hehehe. But yeah it was never my intention to post solely muslim generals or conquerers, its pure coincedence and i didnt even notice is until you mentioned it. These are just famous known people of the top of my head. But if you know a couple more people ill be happy to add it to my list.

Fyi i recall reading about an ancient Chinese general that was considered among the greatest generals in Chinese history. He never lost a battle and was ruthless. Let me try to find it up.

EDIT: His name was Bai Qi. I actually came to know know him by reading this manga that is about the periode of the warring states, its named Kingdom. Its extremely detailed and focused on tactics and strategies of that time. If you are a history warfare nut i highly recommend you to read it.

I note that this is specific to the Middle East, and that should be the constraint. No Indians, no Russians, no Greeks (well, perhaps Asiatic Greeks, perhaps the Diadochi). Tight boundaries.

 

[AUSTERLITZ]

1.Khalid or Timur
2.Baybars or Cyrus

Ataturk is the best middle eastern commander since Nader.He is actually the only modern one of note and shouldn't be compared to pre-modern generals.All the above generals except khalid fought with the advantages of horse and archery in which the west asian/steppe descendant people traditionally excelled and in which their enemies could not always match them.Ataturk fought with a normal army,a weaker army and no such advantages.
Surena of the parthians is a choice,but we know of only one battle.

Cyrus is a must because he is the first empire builder,the original.The one alexader modelled himself on.
Timur was probably the most unstoppable on the list.

I didn't put Belisarius on the list,who would near the very top with the others because unsure whether he is middle eastern- due to bi-continental nature of byzantine empire.Another great byzantine general is Narses.Others are Basil the bulgar slayer and Heraclius.

It is a good list, as it goes. However, I have a jaundiced view of it. It seems to be exclusively Muslim (I did see Cyrus and Darius there). If you dig around a little, or twist the arm of @AUSTERLITZ , you might get a more broad-based list.

Still remains a good list.

To deviate from the Middle East for just a moment - AFAIK, Khalid bin Walid, NOT my favourite general, or favourite person, is one of the four or five unbeaten generals from throughout history. Suvorov, except for an Alpine episode which was dicey, was another; Alexander III of Macedonia a third, and offhand I forget the other two. Or three.It is interesting but neither Wellington nor Napoleon was unbeaten. I forget about Marlborough. Gustavus Adolphus? Zhukov? Don't remember. I don't recall any from Indian history; perhaps Sher Shah came close.We don't know enough precise detail about either Samudragupta or the Rashtrakutas, or they might have had a place in the lists.

Unbeaten generals -
Subotai(Both genghis and timur lost battles early in their career)
Suvorov
Alexander
Marlborough
Scipio africanus
Khalid
Davout
Moltke
Bajirao
Yue Fei
Shaka Zulu
Jan Zizka.



Zhukov lost at Rzhev.Gustavas adolphus -lost.Turenne lost .Conde lost.Suleiman lost at vienna.Nobunaga lost.Frderick the great lost.Attilla lost.Nader lost.Cyrus lost.Belisarius too.

 

[Joe Shearer]

1.Khalid or Timur
2.Baybars or Cyrus

Ataturk is the best middle eastern commander since Nader.He is actually the only modern one of note and shouldn't be compared to pre-modern generals.All the above generals except khalid fought with the advantages of horse and archery in which the west asian/steppe descendant people traditionally excelled and in which their enemies could not always match them.Ataturk fought with a normal army,a weaker army and no such advantages.
Surena of the parthians is a choice,but we know of only one battle.

Cyrus is a must because he is the first empire builder,the original.The one alexader modelled himself on.
Timur was probably the most unstoppable on the list.

I didn't put Belisarius on the list,who would near the very top with the others because unsure whether he is middle eastern- due to bi-continental nature of byzantine empire.Another great byzantine general is Narses.Others are Basil the bulgar slayer and Heraclius.



Unbeaten generals -
Subotai(Both genghis and timur lost battles early in their career)
Suvorov
Alexander
Marlborough
Scipio africanus
Khalid
Davout
Moltke
Bajirao
Yue Fei
Shaka Zulu
Jan Zizka.



Zhukov lost at Rzhev.
Gustavas adolphus -no.
Turenne lost .
Conde lost.
Suleiman lost at vienna.
Nobunaga lost.
Frderick the great lost.
Attilla lost.Nader lost.
Cyrus lost.
Belisarius too.

@BordoEnes

Worth the wait, isn't it?

 

[Sharpshooter12]

As this thread is about generals, so I don't think Umar (r.a) can be part of this, as he never personally lead an army. Of course during the conquest of Persia most of the strategic decisions, for example choosing the Qadsiya as the decisive battlefield was decided by Umar(r.a) but still it was the generals on ground who made the tactical decisions.

Khalid (r.a) tops the list for me, if you look at each of his battles right from Ohud when he single-handedly turned the tide of the battle against Muslims, he always found a way to exploit the adversary's weakness. He always surprised his enemies with the speed of his campaigns, for example his blitzkrieg against Dawma tul Jandal. And his strategy of using mobile reserves proved decisive in Battles like Yarmouk, where his numerically inferior force was able to crush the large Byzantine army.

Also what makes him unique is that unlike other top generals mentioned above, he was not commanding a professionally trained regular force. It was the first time Arabs were invading foreign countries and most of his soldiers were tribesmen, who at best had experience of small tribal clashes but had no experience of pitched battles of that era where discipline and cohesion was more important than personal valor.

Their adversaries both the Sassanids and Romans had hundreds of years of experience of such campaigns, and although were a little exhausted because of their long war against each other, still nearly always outnumbered the Arab forces.

Khalid Ibn Al-Wali
Rank: Governor of Iraq and Chalcis
Affiliation: Abbasid Caliphate

BTW, it was Rashidun or the Righteous Caliphate, Abbasid caliphate came way late and had Ummayads in between them.