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History of Islam Vol 3 of 3 by Akbar Shah Najeebabadi

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Rulers <strong>of</strong> Spain 59<br />

eluded the Muslims in the passes <strong>of</strong> the Pyrenees . When he set up<br />

his camp in the Pyrenees, he attracted the Christians who had been<br />

scattered<br />

and the bishops who brought the valuables <strong>of</strong> the Spanish<br />

churches. Thus, Pelayo's group in the hills grew strong in a very<br />

short time. Even though Pelayo's seat <strong>of</strong> power was, on all sides,<br />

surrounded <strong>by</strong> Muslim territories all <strong>of</strong> them ignored this group<br />

and never made a campaign against them thinking that they<br />

would never pose any real danger to the Muslims. It was logical to<br />

some extent for neither Pelayo nor the Christians ever mustered<br />

enough courage to descend from the high hills to take on the<br />

Muslims in the lowlands.<br />

bishops who brought valuable gifts and relics to Pelayo made<br />

But the<br />

him a religious leader and a protector <strong>of</strong> the Christian relics. He<br />

remained confined to a small hilly area for about twelve or thirteen<br />

years. During this period he kept receiving supplies from the<br />

Christians. With the passage <strong>of</strong> time Pelayo rose in glory and the<br />

Christians would visit him from far <strong>of</strong>f places, and pay him regards<br />

and see the relics. The negligence <strong>of</strong> Muslims encouraged the<br />

Christians to Consider this an empire on its own and declared Pelayo<br />

their king and protector <strong>of</strong> their religion.<br />

Alfonso<br />

On Pelayo's death his son came to power but he too expired after<br />

two or three years. Then Alfonso, the son-in-law <strong>of</strong> Pelayo was<br />

elected king and commander. The Muslims, on the other hand, were<br />

so deeply engaged in civil wars that they did not turn their attention<br />

to<br />

the emerging hilly State. Alfonso invited the Christians <strong>of</strong> Galicia,<br />

Aragon, and Catalonia to settle in the hills. He went to the extent <strong>of</strong><br />

raiding and capturing those Christians who were reluctant to leave<br />

their fertile lands and brought them to populate the areas around<br />

his capital.<br />

The Capital <strong>of</strong> the Christian State<br />

Asturias was made the capital <strong>of</strong> this sovereign rule <strong>of</strong> the Christians.<br />

Constant sermons <strong>of</strong> the bishops made the unwilling Christians come<br />

live there in peace. Gradually, the Christian population rose to such an

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