Ibn Marwan

Ibn Marwân ("‘Abd al Rahmân Ibn Marwân ibn Yūnus", also known as "Ibn al-Djillīqui" or "Son of a Galician") (d. c. 889), was a Iberian Sufi Muladi whose family had come from northern Portugal and settled near Merida.

In 868, leading a host of Muladin and Mozarabs, he rebelled against Emir Muhammad I of Córdoba and after a heroic resistance he got honourable surrendering terms from the Emir and was given Badajoz whom he started to fortify.

Knowing of an incoming attack by the Emirate forces, he fled northwards settling in the castle of "Karkar" (now Carquere, near Lamego, Portugal). Afterwards, at Ibn Marwân’s request, king Alfonso III of León sent him auxiliary troops and the combined army defeated the Emirate forces. Returning to Badajoz, now a well fortified city, he established his rule throughout the whole of the Al'Garb Al'Andalus.

Between 876 and 877 he also erected the Castle of Marvão, in Portugal, a place already known in the 10th century as "Amaia de Ibn Maruán" or "Fortaleza de Amaia".

His dynasty lasted until 930.

References

*VELOZO, Francisco José (1969), "Um Muçulmano Precursor da Independência Portuguesa: Bem Marvão, o Galego" in "O Islão", n.º 5, Agosto.
*CAMPOS, José A. Correia de, "Monumentos da antiguidade árabe em Portugal", pp. 111-112.