Siege of Baghdad in the war of al-Amin and al-Ma'mun

The siege of Baghdad lasted fifteen months in the war between al-Amin and al-Ma'mun. Most of the Abbasids and the pillars of the state had joined al-Ma'mun's army. Only the rabble of Baghdad and the Harafisha remained with al-Amin, according to al-Suyuti. ¹

Al-Suyuti says that the affair went badly for al-Amin, his treasuries ran out, and the condition of the people grew wretched. Ruin spread through the fighting, the throwing of catapults and naphtha, until lamentations were composed in Baghdad. ¹

Tahir ibn al-Husayn entered Baghdad by the sword in the first year of 198 AH. Al-Amin went out with his mother and family from the palace to the City of al-Mansur. ¹

Al-Mas'udi says that al-Amin sent to Ibrahim ibn al-Mahdi while he was besieged, and wrote to Tahir asking for safety for himself, his son and his mother. Tahir replied that there was no safety until he came down under his judgement. ^{2 3}

He mentions the mutiny of the commanders against him in Dhu al-Hijja 196 AH, and that brother fought brother and son fought father, until they became Muhammadiyya and Ma'mūniyya. ³