Battle of Rawdat Muhanna
The Battle of Rawdat Muhanna was fought by the Founding King Abdulaziz Bin Abdulrahman Al Saud against Prince Abdulaziz Bin Rashid in 1906, following divisions among the leaders and people of the towns of Qassim. The battle ended with the victory of King Abdulaziz and the defeat of Ibn Rashid's forces in Rawdat Muhanna, west of Nufud Ath-Thuwayrat in Qassim Province.
Events of the Battle of Rawdat Muhanna
During the disputes among the leaders of towns in Qassim Province, Abdulaziz Bin Rashid decided to resume his military activity in the region. He sent a detachment to Ar-Rass, led by its former Emir Husain Bin Assaf, which took control of the town. Ibn Rashid then launched repeated raids on towns in Qassim, seeking to restore them to his rule. The governor of Buraydah was unable to confront Ibn Rashid's forces and sent a delegation to King Abdulaziz in Riyadh to seek pardon, mediated by the governor of Unayzah at the time. The delegation arrived in Riyadh, where King Abdulaziz welcomed them. They requested his return to Qassim, and he accepted their request, departing from Riyadh toward Qassim.
Arrival of King Abdulaziz in Qassim
On October 9, 1905, King Abdulaziz arrived in Unayzah. Three days later, Ibn Rashid raided the outskirts of Buraydah. The forces of King Abdulaziz, led by his brother Mohammed, set out to confront him, but Ibn Rashid withdrew and moved northward. King Abdulaziz then entered Buraydah with his men and called upon his followers in central and southern Najd to join him. He left Buraydah to meet them, and when they joined him, he attacked tribes loyal to Ibn Rashid. Ibn Rashid intended to attack King Abdulaziz, but the King was already aware of his plan after his brother Mohammed warned him of Ibn Rashid's approach. Ibn Rashid retreated, while King Abdulaziz returned to Buraydah and later departed for Riyadh.
On February 18, 1906, King Abdulaziz marched again toward Qassim and camped in Al-Asyah, north of Qassim, where he remained for about twenty days until his supporters from Qassim joined him. At that time, Ibn Rashid had moved to Sudair, and King Abdulaziz followed him to prevent him from harming the people of the region. When he reached Al-Zulfi, he received news that his rival was near Al-Majma'ah, so he turned north and advanced to Majma' Al-Batnan, where he attacked some of Bin Rashid's supporters, while others attacked the tribes loyal to the King.
End of the Battle of Rawdat Muhanna
On April 10, 1906, King Abdulaziz received news that Ibn Rashid had camped only two hours away in Rawdat Muhanna, west of Nufud Ath-Thuwayrat. He ordered his followers, numbering about 1,600 fighters, including four hundred horsemen, to march toward their rival, whose army exceeded theirs by two hundred men. The attack began in the last third of the night. While Ibn Rashid was urging his men to fight with determination, he suddenly found himself among the soldiers of King Abdulaziz without realizing it. He was struck and killed instantly. His men were defeated and fled the battlefield, pursued by King Abdulaziz's soldiers until midmorning. They returned with Ibn Rashid's sword and ring and presented them to King Abdulaziz.
Sources
History of Kings of Al Saud, Saud Bin Hathloul, 1961.
History of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Abdullah Al-Uthaymeen, 2005.