Abstract:
M. A. Shaban realized the necessity of the existence of a disenfranchised but empowered demographic base to carry out a revolution of the magnitude of the 'Abbāsid revolution. The sources do not provide for the existence of such a base amongst the Arabs of Khurāsān. Driven by an a priori perception, Shaban tried to establish the existence of a revolutionary class of 'Arab settlers' in the province. To that end, he chose to reinterpret the source material on the (Arab vs. Tūrgesh)' Battle of the Pass' (c. 112-731, in Transoxania) and its aftermath. This was an unfortunate attempt. Close textual analysis of the standard Arabic of the sources and a detailed critical-historical consideration of the episode undermine Shaban's attempt. As far as the ethnic identity of the constituents of the 'Abbāsid revolution is concerned, the debate must go back to a pre-Shaban and post-Wellhausen plateau. © School of Oriental and African Studies.