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In Rashidun and Umayyad Caliphates
Zutt formed a large population of the garrison town of Basra, where they became allies of the Arab tribe of Banu Hanzala in the inter-tribal warfare.[16][17] The treasury of Basra was guarded by 40 or 400 Zutt soldiers during the reign of Ali under their chief Abu Salama al-Zutti,[18][9][19] who were, according to the version narrated by Abu Mikhnaf, killed while protecting bayt al-mal when rebels under Talha and Zubayr occupied the city.[19] Zutt regiments had fought along with Ali at the battle of Camel in 656 under their chief, Ali bin DanΕ«r.[20]
In 670, a large number of Zutt, along with Aswaran, were moved into coastal cities of Syria, such as Antioch, Beirut and Tripoli, replacing earlier Greek population, and a quarter in Antioch came to be known after them.[17][21] This was an attempt by Umayyad caliph Mu'awiya I to ward off any possible naval invasion by Byzantine Empire.[22] During this period, the role of Zutt and the associated groups was to guard the governors of different provinces, as well as to suppress revolts.[23][24] They also acted as special troops to guard provincial treasuries.[19][24] Zutt had been in Mesopotamia for long enough that they were considered distinct from Sindhis or Indians.[17] In Iraq and elsewhere, they had their separate units under their own leaders, giving them a status of distinct sub-tribe in the Muslim society.[25][26]
ZUTTED