Representing the Nasrid Emirate of Granada in tabletop wargaming.

by Cian-Rowan

Hi there, I’m interested in building a portrayal of the military forces of the Nasrid Emirate during the Granada war which was concluded in 1492. I’ve managed to dig up one or two depictions, but they’re all very western, and I can’t help but wonder if they are biased. For those of you who are in the know, how should I depict them? I know they had access to firearms, but also that they relied heavily on light infantry and light cavalry.

EgyptianNational

The Nasrid Emirate relied primarily on feudal subjects through the Jund system (Arabic for group or followers, sometimes armed but not necessarily.) by which they would call up through conscription.

These subjects were usually the families of and descendants of the conquers of who were granted land in newly acquired territories in exchange for martial obligations in the future.

In that respect one wouldn’t be wrong to think of these individuals as akin to European style Feudal lords. Even residing in castles and often riding into battle in heavy armor much like as we think of European knights.

Visually speaking the Jund troops wouldn’t look that much different then other European men-at-arms. Equipped with weapons acquired by the families through similar trade routes and means as their European counterparts. Generally these troops would be led by a heavy knight comparable to and influenced by Christian knights. This means widespread usage of European style swords and shields and pole arms, bows and crossbows. The Nasrids also saw Wide spread usage of mail and limited usage of plate armor.

The Jund was Distinguished primarily by banners, flags and house hold crests. Usage of Arabic text on blank flags and banners was also common but I would be mindful of using these due to use by contemporary political groups.

For the game Mechanically the Jund system troops would need to be a heavy hitting slower group of mixed heavy and light infantry and heavy and light Calvary versions.

Unlike Christian kingdoms however the armed forces of Muslim kingdoms were often more ethnically diverse and focused more heavily on mobility. The Nasrid emirate was further unique amongst Muslim kingdoms for its focus on defensive measures and its reliance on foreign volunteers to come serve as Ghazis (Muslim raiders of non Muslim lands) who came from North Africa and would make up a religious order (not unlike the templars in that respect) called volunteers of faith.

This group of warriors would eventually surpass the indigenous forces of the Emirate and become kingmakers before being politically curtailed.

Visually Ghazis would be a mixed bag of everything from professional warriors and fanatics wielding improvised weapons to Berber nomads looking for fame and fortune. However do be mindful that historically the Ghazis have been portrayed as a mob of suicidal savages likely due to their roll as light raiding and harassment infantry. They would be equipped with everything from farm tools (like pitch forks) to European style equipment mentioned above to more middle eastern style weapons and tactics. (the more stereotypical looking muslim infantry, light skirmish infantry or light skirmish Calvary)

These troops would be better mechanically depicted as a mixed bag of light infantry and light Calvary capable of moving fast and hitting hard but not holding up much in a close quarters fight.

(You could also depict the Ghazis as separate units recruited through a pool.)

All in all the armed forces of the Nasrid Emirate was comparable to European powers it interacted with. Fielding similar weapons and armaments with variety more noticeable in composition of troops. Even so the Emirate utilized mercenaries of both Christian and Muslim origin, including a limited number of Mamluks mercenaries.

It’s also important to remember that at the time of the Nasrid Emirate the Nasrids were fractured and divided. It wouldn’t be incorrect to say this factionalism played a roll in the cohesion of the Emirates armed forces and thus in their defense. This is despite the fact the Emirate was vastly out numbered by the Christian kingdoms.

If you are asking if cannons or other gunpowder weapons were used by both sides the answer is yes. However the Spanish utilized much more cannon much more effectively against the vastly outnumbered and on the defensive Nasrid Emirate.

Sources:

Prescott, William Hickling (1904). Munro, Wilford Harold (ed.). History of the reign of Ferdinand and Isabella, the Catholic

O'Callaghan, Joseph F. (2011). The Gibraltar Crusade: Castile and the Battle for the Strait