Zanj Rebellion

Timeline

1. 869–870Marshlands south of Basra · IraqAli ibn Muhammad gathered Zanj slaves and poor peasants in the saline marshlands south of Basra, launching an uprising with apocalyptic prophecies and egalitarian appeals, and quickly seized control of marsh strongholds.
2. 870–878Basra · IraqThe rebels captured Basra in 870, then expanded toward Wasit, Ahwaz, and elsewhere, establishing a separatist regime and plundering salt works and trade routes; repeated Abbasid expeditions all ended in failure.
3. 879–883Mukhtara · IraqThe caliph's regent al-Muwaffaq and his son Abu al-Abbas led a large army in a prolonged siege, storming the rebels' last stronghold of Mukhtara in 883; Ali ibn Muhammad was killed and the rebellion utterly defeated.