WI: Zanj Rebellion succeeds

John7755 يوحنا

To be extremely frank, yes the Zanj polity can last. Ali ibn Muhammad al-Dibaj Sahib al-Zanj was one of the greatest political actors of the Middle Abbasid period and of peerless skill in organizational planning.

The Zanj state operated for a decade or so as an independent country in effect and minted coins, created borders, warred independently against many actors, created trade lines, collected taxes and many others. Going forward, the main issue at hand will be religious disputes.

Regardless, I have written much in the Zanj state apparatus and the disputes within it on this site. Though, due to brevity and to allow a discussion to begin, I will reserve some of my points until later.
 

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John7755 يوحنا said:
To be extremely frank, yes the Zanj polity can last. Ali ibn Muhammad al-Dibaj Sahib al-Zanj was one of the greatest political actors of the Middle Abbasid period and of peerless skill in organizational planning.

The Zanj state operated for a decade or so as an independent country in effect and minted coins, created borders, warred independently against many actors, created trade lines, collected taxes and many others. Going forward, the main issue at hand will be religious disputes.

Regardless, I have written much in the Zanj state apparatus and the disputes within it on this site. Though, due to brevity and to allow a discussion to begin, I will reserve some of my points until later.
Click to expand...

What kind of political system did the Zanj operate? Was it somewhat anarchist?
 

John7755 يوحنا

Hassan-i-Sabbah said:
What kind of political system did the Zanj operate? Was it somewhat anarchist?
Click to expand...

https://www.alternatehistory.com/fo...nj-state-and-internal-factors-871-883.432831/

Here is a brief thread on the topic. It was a top-down system with Ali ibn Muhammad al-Dibaj as exclusive ruler in a sense, sort of an Imam type figure with divine powers. However, warlords under the executive, had extensive autonomy and rule over what they captured. So, no, it was not anarchist in the traditional sense of the word, there was certainly a state apparatus that was hierarchical in nature. Made up of the vanguard if you will of al-Dibaj's supporters and cadre. Additionally, powerful merchants had major support and influence as did Bedouin tribal elders.
 
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