Amsar

Amṣar (أمصار), refer to civilised cities and large areas in which houses, markets, schools and other public facilities are located. The plural form also sometimes referred to 'garrison towns' or structures that were established by Muslim warriors in conquered lands, in the first centuries of Islam. The first were created under Caliph Omar during his reign from 634 to 644 AD. Many of these garrisons attracted civilians and became towns. In the frontier area of the Arabic expansion, military forts (al-Amsar, Pl. أمصار, amṣār), or Ribat (رباط ribāṭ, fortress) were founded. Militarily speaking, the structure and function of amṣār are similar to Ancient Roman Colonia. Like a frontier colony, the fortress served as a base for further conquests. Arabian military forts of the misr type were frequently built in the vicinity of existing older towns. They frequently were of square format. Rather than maintaining their original purpose to serve as a military base, many amṣār developed into urbane and administrative centers. In particular, this happened in the case of the Iraqi cities of Kufa and Basra, which became known as "al-miṣrān" ("the [two] forts"), but also with Fustat and Kairouan in North Africa. Ibn al-Kalbi reported, Arfajah ibn Harthamah were the first who built Amsar, that accommodated the settlements of Muslim soldiers in the annexed territories permanently and also setting up the public facilities and mosques in the city. Due to instruction from caliph Umar, Arfaja Al-Bariqi set up a garrison (Amsar) in Mosul, and was appointed Wali (governor) there, particularly managing the revenue. The area of Mosul was very sparsely populated after conquered by the Muslims. After the area was settled and a mosque was erected, Umar ordered the resettlement of the 4000 settlers to Mosul. The new buildings were constructed from mud bricks, instead of reeds, a material that was popular in the region and other already populated areas were greatly expanded. At Mosul, Harthama, at the command of Umar, constructed a fort, few churches, a mosque and a locality for the Jewish population.