Battle of Granada

Infobox Military Conflict
conflict=Battle of Granada


caption="The Capitulation of Granada", by Francisco Pradilla y Ortiz: Muhammad XII surrenders before Ferdinand and Isabella. Oil on canvas, 1882.
partof=the Reconquista
date=2 January 1492
place=Granada, Spain
result=Spanish victory
combatant1=Castile,
Aragon
combatant2=Granada
commander1=Catholic Monarchs (Isabel and Fernando)
commander2=Muhammad XII
strength1=100,000Fact|date=June 2007
strength2=30,000Fact|date=June 2007
casualties1=3,000 dead or woundedFact|date=June 2007
casualties2=1,000 dead, wounded, or capturedFact|date=June 2007The Battle of Granada was the siege of the city of Granada over a period of months leading up to its capitulation on the 2 January 1492. The city was defended by the armies of the Muslim Kingdom of Granada led by Sultan Muhammad XII, and then captured by the combined forces of Aragon and Castile (recently united through a dynastic marriage).

Since the spring of 1491, Granada was the last remnant of Al-Andalus as the Spanish forces of King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella laid siege to the walled city. After several failed attempts to disperse the besiegers, Muhammad XII attempted to raise support from the Islamic Marinid state in Morocco. He negotiated a 4 month truce,promising that he would surrender his city if no help arrived. With no forthcoming help arriving on the agreed date he capitulated and surrendered the city.

This relatively small campaign was the final act of the Reconquista. Granada was the last outpost of Moorish rule in the Iberian peninsula and its fall brought to an end 780 years of Muslim rule.

The 2nd of January is still celebrated in Granada.

Bibliography

*"Mind Alive Encyclopedia of World History", Marshall Cavendish, (London, 1974)