Abbasid Decline and the Spread of Islamic Civilization to South and Southeast Asia

Chapter SevenMs. TullyAP World History

Islamic Heartlands in the Middle and Late Abbasid ErasAbbasid rule 750-

1258 CEDecline and distress

apparent by mid 9th century

Sumptuous living, civil war drain treasury

Shi’a revolts, assassination attempts against Abbasid officials

Islamic Heartlands in the Middle and Late Abbasid ErasPeasant revolts about

increasing taxes Rise of mercenary

armiesFreedom and

influence of women declined

Abbasid wealth generated large demand for concubines and male slaves

Divisions Within the Empire Provinces

became independent kingdoms by mid 10th C

945 – Buyids of Persia capture Baghdad

Seljuk Turks defeat Buyids in 1055 CE

The Impact of the Christian Crusades

1096 CE – Christian Crusaders invade Muslim territory

Eight Crusades over two centuries

Under Saladin Muslim recaptured crusader kingdoms in 12th century

Intense European borrowing from Muslim world

The Islamic Golden Age Political decline and

social turmoil were offset for many by the urban affluence, inventiveness, and artistic creativity of the Abbasid Age

Flourishing of tradeRise of Persian

literature – Rubaiyat by Oman Khayyam, Shah-Nama by Firdawsi

The Islamic Golden Age Major

developments in math and science

Al-Razi and Chemistry

Developments in medicine

Influx of Chinese technology

Religious Trends and New Invasions Ulama – Orthodox Muslim scholars

increasingly hostile to non-islamic ideas and scientific thinking

Sufism (Sufis) – reaction against impersonal/abstract Islam

13th C – Rise of the MongolsHulegu led Mongol assault on

Baghdad – 1258 sackedMongols expansion stopped by

Mamluks

The Coming of Islam to South Asia

Hinduism – adaptable, tolerant, flexibleIslam – very different from Hinduism8th C – Muslim traders bring Islam to India 711 – Sind (NW province) conquered962 – Mahmud of Ghanzi led expeditions

into N. IndiaMuhammad of Ghur – Conquered lots of

Indian territory 1206 – Creation of Delhi Sultanate by

Qutb-ub-din Aibak

Islam in IndiaIslamic civilization

was enriched by Indian culture, while Indian achievements were passed to Arabs

Colonies of Arabs along coastline

Conversions usually won peacefully – Sufi missionaries, merchants

Islam in IndiaConverts usually

Buddhist or low-caste groups

Hinduism not strongly impacted by Islam

Islam succumbs to caste system; could not eradicate it

Unfortunate consequences for women

The Spread of Islam to Southeast Asia Islam introduced by Arab

merchant sailors in 7th & 8th Centuries

Collapse of Shrivijaya empire in 13th C opened door for Islam

Islam grew through peaceful contact and voluntary conversion

Sufi allowed fusion of pre-Islamic beliefs with Islam

Global ConnectionsDespite the political instability of the

Abbasids, Islam’s central position in global history was solidified.

Social strife and political divisions VS. expanding trade and intellectual creativity.

Islam brought a global culture to nomadic peoples in South and Southeast Asia.

The spread of Islam helps to create trade connections between various regions.

Islamic cultural contributions range from intellectual discoveries to universities.