abbasides - class lecture

7/29/2019 Abbasides - Class Lecture

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ABBASID DYNASTY

(750-1258 AD /133-656 AH)

SEQUENCE:

Introduction

Past CSS Questions

Discourse

Questions

1www.css.theazkp.com


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The orthodox caliphate is the beginning offeudalism

The Umayyad caliphate is the development offeudalism and medical Islam

The Abbaside caliphate is the fulfillment anddisintegration of the medieval Islam



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New features of Abbasides The caliphate no longer complied with Islam

Arab nation loses martial vigour

capital is transferred from Damascus to Baghadad

Golden era of civilization and culture science and learning

New posts of chamberlain, vizier, Executioner are created

Arab nation loses priority in decision making and Persian/Turkishinfluence surfaces

A monarchical despotism



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Abbasid Caliphs in Baghdad

Abu'l Abbas As-Saffah 750 754

Al-Mansur 754 775

Al-Mahdi 775 785

Al-Hadi 785 786 Harun al-Rashid 786 809

Al-Amin 809 813

Al-Ma'mun 813 833

Al-Mu'tasim 833 842 Al-Wathiq 842 847

Al-Mutawakkil 847 861

Al-Muntasir 861 862

Al-Musta'in 862 866

Al-Mu'tazz 866 869

Al-Muhtadi 869 870

Al-Mu'tamid 870 892

Al-Mu'tadid 892 902

Al-Muktafi 902 908

Al-Muqtadir 908 932

Al-Qahir 932 934

Ar-Radi 934 940

Al-Muttaqi 940 944

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/As-Saffahhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Mansurhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Mahdihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Hadihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harun_al-Rashidhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Aminhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Ma'munhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Mu'tasimhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Wathiqhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Mutawakkilhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Muntasirhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Musta'inhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Mu'tazzhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Muhtadihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Mu'tamidhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Mu'tadidhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Muktafihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Muqtadirhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Qahirhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ar-Radihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Muttaqihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Muttaqihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Muttaqihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Muttaqihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ar-Radihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ar-Radihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ar-Radihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Qahirhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Qahirhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Qahirhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Muqtadirhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Muqtadirhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Muqtadirhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Muktafihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Muktafihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Muktafihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Mu'tadidhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Mu'tadidhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Mu'tadidhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Mu'tamidhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Mu'tamidhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Mu'tamidhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Muhtadihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Muhtadihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Muhtadihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Mu'tazzhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Mu'tazzhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Mu'tazzhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Musta'inhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Musta'inhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Musta'inhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Muntasirhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Muntasirhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Muntasirhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Mutawakkilhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Mutawakkilhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Mutawakkilhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Wathiqhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Wathiqhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Wathiqhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Mu'tasimhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Mu'tasimhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Mu'tasimhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Ma'munhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Ma'munhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Ma'munhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Aminhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Aminhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Aminhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harun_al-Rashidhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harun_al-Rashidhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harun_al-Rashidhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harun_al-Rashidhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harun_al-Rashidhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Hadihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Hadihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Hadihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Mahdihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Mahdihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Mahdihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Mansurhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Mansurhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Mansurhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/As-Saffahhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/As-Saffahhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/As-Saffah


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Al-Mustakfi 944 946

Al-Muti 946 974 At-Ta'i 974 991

Al-Qadir 991 1031

Al-Qa'im 10311075

Al-Muqtadi 10751094

Al-Mustazhir 10941118

Al-Mustarshid 11181135

Ar-Rashid 11351136

Al-Muqtafi 11361160

Al-Mustanjid 11601170

Al-Mustadi 11701180

An-Nasir 11801225 Az-Zahir 12251226

Al-Mustansir 12261242

Al-Musta'sim 12421258

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Mustakfihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Mutihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/At-Ta'ihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Qadirhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Qa'im_(caliph)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Muqtadihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Mustazhirhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Mustarshidhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harun_al-Rashid_(1135)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Muqtafi_(Abbasid_Caliph)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Mustanjidhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Mustadihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/An-Nasirhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Az-Zahir_(caliph)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Mustansirhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Musta'simhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Musta'simhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Musta'simhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Musta'simhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Mustansirhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Mustansirhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Mustansirhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Az-Zahir_(caliph)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Az-Zahir_(caliph)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Az-Zahir_(caliph)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/An-Nasirhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/An-Nasirhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/An-Nasirhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Mustadihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Mustadihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Mustadihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Mustanjidhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Mustanjidhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Mustanjidhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Muqtafi_(Abbasid_Caliph)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Muqtafi_(Abbasid_Caliph)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Muqtafi_(Abbasid_Caliph)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harun_al-Rashid_(1135)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harun_al-Rashid_(1135)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harun_al-Rashid_(1135)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Mustarshidhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Mustarshidhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Mustarshidhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Mustazhirhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Mustazhirhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Mustazhirhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Muqtadihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Muqtadihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Muqtadihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Qa'im_(caliph)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Qa'im_(caliph)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Qa'im_(caliph)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Qadirhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Qadirhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Qadirhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/At-Ta'ihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/At-Ta'ihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/At-Ta'ihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Mutihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Mutihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Mutihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Mustakfihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Mustakfihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Mustakfi


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Abbasid Caliphate: Introduction

Overthrowing the Umayyad caliphs from all butthe Al Andalus region

The Abbasid caliphate was founded in Harran in750 CE and shifted its capital in 762 to Baghdad

It flourished for two centuries, but slowly wentinto decline with the rise to power of the Turkish

army it had created, the Mamluks

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Umayyadhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al_Andalushttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harranhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/750http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/762http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baghdadhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turkic_peopleshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mamlukhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mamlukhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turkic_peopleshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baghdadhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/762http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/750http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harranhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al_Andalushttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al_Andalushttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al_Andalushttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Umayyad


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Within 150 years of gaining control of Persia, the caliphswere forced to cede power to local dynastic emirs who onlynominally acknowledged their authority

The caliphate also lost the Western provinces ofAl Andalus,Maghreb and Ifriqiya to an Umayyad prince, the Aghlabidsand the Fatimids, respectively

The Abbasids' rule was briefly ended for three years in1258, when Hulagu Khan, the Mongol khan, sackedBaghdad, resuming in Mamluk Egypt in 1261, from wherethey continued to claim authority in religious matters until1519, when power was formally transferred to the

Ottomans and the capital relocated to Constantinople

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Persiahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emirhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emirhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emirhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maghrebhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ifriqiyahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Umayyadhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al_Andalushttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aghlabidshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aghlabidshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maghrebhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fatimidhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fatimidhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fatimidhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ifriqiyahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Umayyadhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aghlabidshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fatimidhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hulagu_Khanhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mongolshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Baghdad_(1258)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Baghdad_(1258)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hulagu_Khanhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mamlukhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mamlukhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Egypthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Egypthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mongolshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Baghdad_(1258)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Baghdad_(1258)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mamlukhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Egypthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ottomanshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Constantinoplehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Constantinoplehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ottomanshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Egypthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mamlukhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Baghdad_(1258)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Baghdad_(1258)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Baghdad_(1258)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mongolshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hulagu_Khanhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hulagu_Khanhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hulagu_Khanhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fatimidhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aghlabidshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Umayyadhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ifriqiyahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maghrebhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al_Andalushttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al_Andalushttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al_Andalushttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emirhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Persia


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Rise of Abbasid Caliphate

The Abbasid caliphs descended from Abbasibn Abd al-Muttalib

They won the backing of Shiites againstUmayyad rule

The Abbasids also distinguished themselvesfrom the Umayyads by attacking their moral

character and administration in general



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According to Ira Lapidus, "The Abbasid revolt was supported largelyby Arabs, mainly the aggrieved settlers of Marw with the additionof the Yemeni faction"

Mawali, who remained outside the kinship-based society of theArabs and were perceived as a lower class within the UmayyadEmpire supported Abbasides

Muhammad ibn 'Ali, a great-grandson ofAbbas, campaigned for thereturn of power to the Hashimites, in Persia during the reign ofUmar II

During the reign of Marwan II, this opposition culminated in the

rebellion of Ibrahim the Imam, the fourth in descent from Abbas.Supported by the province of Khorasan, Iran, he achievedconsiderable success, but was captured in the year 747 and died inprison; some hold that he was assassinated

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ira_Lapidushttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mohammad_ibn_Ali_Abbasihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iranhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Umar_IIhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iranhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Umar_IIhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marwan_IIhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greater_Khorasanhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iranhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greater_Khorasanhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iranhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iranhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greater_Khorasanhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marwan_IIhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marwan_IIhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marwan_IIhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Umar_IIhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Umar_IIhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Umar_IIhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iranhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mohammad_ibn_Ali_Abbasihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mohammad_ibn_Ali_Abbasihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mohammad_ibn_Ali_Abbasihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mohammad_ibn_Ali_Abbasihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mohammad_ibn_Ali_Abbasihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mohammad_ibn_Ali_Abbasihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ira_Lapidushttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ira_Lapidushttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ira_Lapidus


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Ibrahims brother Abdallah Abu al-'Abbas as-

Saffah, who defeated the Umayyads in 750 inthe Battle of the Zab near the Great Zab and

was subsequently proclaimed caliph

Barmakids, who were instrumental in building

Baghdad introduced the world's first recorded

paper mill in Baghdad, thus beginning a newera of intellectual rebirth in the Abbasid

domain

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/As-Saffahhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/As-Saffahhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_the_Zabhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Zabhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caliphhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paper_millhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baghdadhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baghdadhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paper_millhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paper_millhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paper_millhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caliphhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Zabhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Zabhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Zabhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_the_Zabhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_the_Zabhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_the_Zabhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_the_Zabhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_the_Zabhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_the_Zabhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_the_Zabhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/As-Saffahhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/As-Saffahhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/As-Saffah


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Abbasids in Power

The first change of capital from Damascus, in Syria, toBaghdad in Iraq. This was to both appease and to be closerto the Persian mawalisupport base

Baghdad was established on the Tigris River in 762

A new position, that of the vizier, was also established todelegate central authority, and even greater authority wasdelegated to local emirs. Eventually, this meant that manyAbbasid caliphs were relegated to a more ceremonial role

than under the Umayyads, as the viziers began to exertgreater influence, and the role of the old Arab aristocracywas slowly replaced by a Persian bureaucracy

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baghdadhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tigris_Riverhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vizierhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vizierhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vizierhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vizierhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vizierhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tigris_Riverhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tigris_Riverhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tigris_Riverhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baghdadhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baghdad


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Golden Age

"In virtually every field of endeavor -in astronomy, alchemy,

mathematics, medicine, optics and so forth- Arab scientistswere in the forefront of scientific advance."

The Islamic Golden Age was inaugurated by the middle ofthe 8th century by the ascension of the Abbasid Caliphateand the transfer of the capital from Damascus to Baghdad

The Abbassids were influenced by the Qur'anic injunctionsand hadith such as "the ink of a scholar is more holy than

the blood of a martyr" stressing the value of knowledge

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Islamic_Golden_Agehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caliphatehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Damascushttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baghdadhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baghdadhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caliphatehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Damascushttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baghdadhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hadithhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Qur'anhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hadithhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hadithhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Qur'anhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baghdadhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Damascushttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caliphatehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Islamic_Golden_Agehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Islamic_Golden_Agehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Islamic_Golden_Agehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Islamic_Golden_Agehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Islamic_Golden_Age


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During this period the Muslim world became anintellectual center for science, philosophy, medicineand education as the Abbasids championed the cause

of knowledge and established the House of Wisdom inBaghdad; where both Muslim and non-Muslim scholarssought to translate and gather all the world'sknowledge into Arabic

Many classic works of antiquity that would otherwisehave been lost were translated into Arabic and Persianand later in turn translated into Turkish, Hebrew andLatin

During this period the Muslim world was a cauldron ofcultures which collected, synthesized and significantlyadvanced the knowledge gained from the ancientRoman, Chinese, Indian, Persian, Egyptian, NorthAfrican, Greek and Byzantine civilizations 13www.css.theazkp.com
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/House_of_Wisdomhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/House_of_Wisdomhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arabic_languagehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arabic_languagehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ancient_Romehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Indiahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Persian_Empirehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ancient_Egypthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_Africahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_Africahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ancient_Greecehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Byzantinehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Byzantinehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Persian_Empirehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ancient_Egypthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_Africahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_Africahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ancient_Greecehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Byzantinehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Byzantinehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Byzantinehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ancient_Greecehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_Africahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_Africahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_Africahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ancient_Egypthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Persian_Empirehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Indiahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ancient_Romehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arabic_languagehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/House_of_Wisdomhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/House_of_Wisdomhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/House_of_Wisdomhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/House_of_Wisdomhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/House_of_Wisdom


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CSS Questions on ABBASID DYNASTY

2011- Give an analytical study of the Muslims contribution

in social science in the reign of Haroon and Mamun

2011- Briefly describe the scientific and literary progress ofthe Muslims during Abbasid period

2010 - Write essay on Any One of the following

i- Baghdad under early Abbasids

ii- Philosophical progress of the Muslims during the Abbasidperiod

2009- How did the Abbasid court patronize thephilosophical, scientific and literary progress?

2008-Describe in detail the Revenue System of the Abbasid14www.css.theazkp.com


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2007- Write an essay on the scientific and literary

progress of the Muslims during the Abbasidperiod.

2006- Highlight the contribution of the Abbasidstowards education, peoples welfare and culture.

2005- Abbasid period was the golden period forthe progress of different sciences and arts.Discuss

2004- Write a detailed note on the agricultural15www.css.theazkp.com


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1991- Write a detailed note on the

administration of Abbasids

1989- Development of Schools of Fiqh during

Abbasid period

1985- What were the sources of revenue

during Abbasid period?



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As-Saffah

Reign 750 754

Predecessor Marwan II of Umayyads

Successor Al-Mansur

As-Saffah literally means The Shedder of

Bloodwas the first Abbasidcaliph (750 - 754)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marwan_IIhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Mansurhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abbasidshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caliphhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caliphhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abbasidshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Mansurhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Mansurhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Mansurhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marwan_IIhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marwan_IIhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marwan_II


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After eliminating the Umayyad family after victory atthe Battle of the Zab, Abu al-'Abbas al-Saffah sent hisforces to Central Asia, Sindh, Arabia, Anatolia, Egyptand North Africa; his forces confronted many regionalpowers and consolidated the realm of the AbbasidCaliphate

Concerned that there would be a return of Umayyadpower, as-Saffah invited all of the remaining membersof the Umayyad family to a dinner party where he hadthem clubbed to death before the first course, which

was then served to the hosts.

For his ruthless efforts to eliminate the Umayyadfamily, Abu al-`Abbas `Abdullah gained the epithet al-

Saffah, which means 'the slaughterer' or 'shedder ofblood'18www.css.theazkp.com
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Abu al-Àbbas's short reign was marked with efforts to consolidate and

rebuild the Caliphate

as-Saffah is widely viewed by historians as having been a mild victor

Jews, Nestorian Christians, and Persians were well-represented in Abu al-Àbbas's government and in succeeding Abbasid administrations

Education was also encouraged, and the first paper mills, staffed by skilledChinese prisoners captured at the Battle of Talas, were set up inSamarkand

Equally revolutionary was Abu al-Àbbas's reform of the army, which cameto include non-Muslims and non-Arabs in sharp contrast to the Umayyadswho refused any soldiers of either type

As-Saffah selected the gifted Abu Muslim as his military commander, anofficer who would serve until 755 in the Abbasid army

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jewshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nestorian_Christianshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_peoplehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Talashttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Talashttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paper_millhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samarkandhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samarkandhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Talashttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samarkandhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abu_Muslimhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abu_Muslimhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samarkandhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Talashttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Talashttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_peoplehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paper_millhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nestorian_Christianshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jewshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jews


20/55

As-Saffah turned back on his promises to the

Shi'a community in claiming the Caliphate forhimself. The Shi'a had hoped that their imamwould be named head of the Caliphate,inaugurating the era of peace and prosperity themillennialists had believed would come. Thebetrayal alienated Abu al-Àbbas's Shi'asupporters, although the continued amity ofother groups made Abbasid rule markedly moresolvent than Umayyad

Abu al-Àbbas Àbdullah as-Saffah died ofsmallpox on June 10, 754, only four years afterdeposing the Umayyads. He appointed his

brother Abu Ja'far al-Mansur and then Isa ibn20www.css.theazkp.com
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Al-Mansur

The second Abbasid Caliph (136-158 AH/754

AD-775 AD)

Reign 754 - 775

Predecessor As-Saffah

Successor Al-Mahdi21www.css.theazkp.com
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abbasidhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caliphhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/As-Saffahhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Mahdihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Mahdihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Mahdihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Mahdihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/As-Saffahhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/As-Saffahhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/As-Saffahhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caliphhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abbasid


22/55

Al-Mansur in 762 founded as new imperialresidence and palace city Madinat as-Salam,

which became the core of the Imperial capitalBaghdad

He was concerned with the solidity of his regimeafter the death of his brother, Abu'l `Abbas

In 755 he arranged the assassination of Abu

Muslim to preclude a power struggle in theempire. Abu Muslim was a loyal freed man fromthe eastern Iranian province ofKhorasan who hadled the Abbasid forces to victory over the

Umayyads during the Third Islamic Civil War in22www.css.theazkp.com
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23/55

He deposed Isa bin Musa bin Muhammad bin Ali as his successordue to suspect of corruption and in his place appointed al-Mahdi ashis successor and took public allegiance for him

Like his elder brother Saffah he wanted to unite the land so he getrid of all of his opposition

During his reign, literature and scholarly work in the Islamic worldbegan to emerge in full force, supported by new Abbasid tolerancesfor Persians and other groups suppressed by the Umayyads

In al-Mansur's reign Persian literature and scholarship was trulyappreciated in the Islamic world. The emergence of Shu'ubiyaamong Persian scholars occurred during the reign of al-Mansur as a

result of loosened censorship over Persian nationalism.

Shu'ubiya was a literary movement among Persians expressing theirbelief that Persian art and culture was superior to that of the Arabs;the movement served to catalyze the emergence of Arab-Persian

dialogues in the eighth century 23www.css.theazkp.com
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Islamic_literaturehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Persian_peoplehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Persian_peoplehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Persian_peoplehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Islamic_literature


24/55

The inclusiveness of the Abbasid regime, and thatof al-Mansur, saw the expansion of Islam among

its territory; in 750, roughly 8% of residents in theCaliphate were Muslims. This would double to15% by the end of al-Mansur's reign

Al-Mansur died in 775 on his way to Mecca tomake hajj. He was buried somewhere along theway in one of the hundreds of graves that hadbeen dug in order to hide his body from theUmayyads

He was succeeded by his son, al-Mahdi24www.css.theazkp.com
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25/55

Treacherous and cruel man, Muir

Mixture of opposites

A despotic monarch

Sense of justice

Nicknamed as Abud Dawanink -the father of

paisas

Ibn al-Athir writes on al-Mansurs daily routine

al-Mansur is placed in Islamic history as the real



26/55

Established firm and strong administration

(hereditary hierarchy of the Abbasidebureaucracy)

Re-unified Muslim empire from Khurasan to

Qayrowan

Laid claim to Spain on spiritual grounds

Devoted to Persian learning

Model for later caliphs



27/55

Hrn al-Rashd

Predecessor Al-Hadi

Successor Al-Amin

Haroun the Upright, Haroun the Just, orHaroun the Rightly Guided was the fifthAbbasidCaliph in Iraq

He ruled from 786 to 809, and his time wasmarked by scientific, cultural and religious

prosperity. Art and music also flourished27www.css.theazkp.com
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Hadihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Aminhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abbasid_Caliphatehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caliphhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iraqhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Science_in_medieval_Islamhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muslim_culturehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Islamhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Islamic_arthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Islamic_musichttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Islamic_musichttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Islamic_musichttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Islamic_arthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Islamhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muslim_culturehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Science_in_medieval_Islamhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iraqhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caliphhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abbasid_Caliphatehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Aminhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Aminhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Aminhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Hadihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Hadihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Hadi


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The Abbasid Caliphate 750-1258

Capital: Baghdad

http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/abba/hg_d_abba_d1map.jpg

http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/abba/hg_d_abba_d1map.jpghttp://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/abba/hg_d_abba_d1map.jpghttp://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/abba/hg_d_abba_d1map.jpg


29/55

Harun was intellectually, politically and militarily

resourceful, his life and the court have been the

subject of many tales: some are factual but mostare believed to be fictitious

Among what is known to be fictional is The Bookof One Thousand and One Nights, which contains

many stories that are fantasized by Harun's

magnificent court and even Harun al-Rashid

himself

The family ofBarmakids which played a deciding

role in establishing the Abbasid Caliphate29www.css.theazkp.com
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Book_of_One_Thousand_and_One_Nightshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Book_of_One_Thousand_and_One_Nightshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barmakidshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barmakidshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Book_of_One_Thousand_and_One_Nightshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Book_of_One_Thousand_and_One_Nightshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Book_of_One_Thousand_and_One_Nightshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Book_of_One_Thousand_and_One_Nightshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Book_of_One_Thousand_and_One_Nightshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Book_of_One_Thousand_and_One_Nightshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Book_of_One_Thousand_and_One_Nightshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Book_of_One_Thousand_and_One_Nightshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Book_of_One_Thousand_and_One_Nightshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Book_of_One_Thousand_and_One_Nightshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Book_of_One_Thousand_and_One_Nightshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Book_of_One_Thousand_and_One_Nightshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Book_of_One_Thousand_and_One_Nightshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Book_of_One_Thousand_and_One_Nightshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Book_of_One_Thousand_and_One_Nights


30/55

His vizier (chief minister) Yahya the Barmakid, Yahya's sonsespecially Ja'far ibn Yahya, and other Barmakids generally

controlled the administration

The Barmakids were a Persian-Tajik family which datedback to the Barmak of Magi, who had become verypowerful under al-Mahdi. Yahya had aided Hrn in

obtaining the caliphate, and he and his sons were in highfavor until 798, when the caliph threw them in prison andconfiscated their land.

Muhammad ibn Jarir al-Tabari lists various accounts for thecause: Yahya's entering the Caliph's presence withoutpermission, Yahya's opposition to Muhammad ibn al Laythwho later gained Harun's favour, Jafar's release of Yahya ibnAbdallah ibn Hasan whom Harun had imprisoned, theostentatious wealth of the Barmakids and the alleged

romantic relationship between Yahya's son and Harun's30www.css.theazkp.com
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vizierhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ja'far_ibn_Yahyahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ja'far_ibn_Yahyahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yahya_the_Barmakidhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barmakidshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barmakidshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ja'far_ibn_Yahyahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barmakidshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khalid_ibn_Barmakhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khalid_ibn_Barmakhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muhammad_ibn_Jarir_al-Tabarihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muhammad_ibn_Jarir_al-Tabarihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muhammad_ibn_Jarir_al-Tabarihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muhammad_ibn_Jarir_al-Tabarihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muhammad_ibn_Jarir_al-Tabarihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muhammad_ibn_Jarir_al-Tabarihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muhammad_ibn_Jarir_al-Tabarihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muhammad_ibn_Jarir_al-Tabarihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muhammad_ibn_Jarir_al-Tabarihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muhammad_ibn_Jarir_al-Tabarihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muhammad_ibn_Jarir_al-Tabarihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khalid_ibn_Barmakhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barmakidshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ja'far_ibn_Yahyahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ja'far_ibn_Yahyahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ja'far_ibn_Yahyahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ja'far_ibn_Yahyahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ja'far_ibn_Yahyahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yahya_the_Barmakidhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yahya_the_Barmakidhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yahya_the_Barmakidhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yahya_the_Barmakidhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yahya_the_Barmakidhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vizier


31/55

This romantic story is highly doubted by Ibn

Khaldun and most modern scholars

The fall of the Barmakids is far more likely due

to their behaving in a manner that Harun

found disrespectful (such as entering his court

unannounced) and making decisions in

matters of state without first consulting him.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ibn_Khaldunhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ibn_Khaldunhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ibn_Khaldunhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ibn_Khaldunhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ibn_Khaldun


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It was under Hrn ar-Rashd that Baghdadflourished into the most splendid city of itsperiod. Tribute was paid by many rulers to the

caliph, and these funds were used onarchitecture, the arts and a luxurious life at court

In 796, Hrn decided to move his court and thegovernment to Ar Raqqah at the middleEuphrates Close to the Byzantine border

The communication lines via the Euphrates to

Baghdad and via the Balikh river to the north and viaPalmyra to Damascus were excellent

The agriculture was flourishing to support the newImperial center

And from Raqqa any rebellion in Syria and the middleEuphrates area could be controlled32www.css.theazkp.com
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33/55

Due to the Thousand-and-One Nights tales, Harun al-Rashid turned into a legendary figure obscuring histrue historic personality

In fact, his reign initiated the political disintegration ofthe Abbasid caliphate.[Syria was inhabited by tribeswith Umayyad sympathies and remained the bitterenemy of the Abbasids while Egypt witnessed uprisingsagainst Abbasids due to maladministration andarbitrary taxation. The Umayyads had been establishedin Spain in 755, the Idrisids in Morocco in 788, and the

Aghlabids in Ifriqiya (modern Tunisia) in 800. Besides,unrest flared up in Yemen, and the Kharijites rose inrebellion in Daylam, Kerman, Fars and Sistan. Revoltsalso broke out in Khorasan, and al-Rashid waged many

campaigns against the Byzantines 33www.css.theazkp.com
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Idrisidshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aghlabidshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khorasanhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khorasanhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aghlabidshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Idrisids


34/55

Al-Rashid virtually dismembered the empire

by apportioning it between his two sons al-

Amin and al-Ma'mun. Very soon it became

clear that by dividing the empire, Rashid had

actually helped to set the opposing partiesagainst one another, and had provided them

with sufficient resources to become

independent of each other.

After the death of Harun al-Rashid, civil war

broke out in the empire between his two sons,'



35/55

Harun's and Charlemagne's courts held amicable discussionsconcerning Christian access to the Holy Land and the exchange ofgifts.Charlemagne sent Harun Spanish horses, colourful Frisiancloaks and impressive hunting dogs. Harun sent Charlemagne a

present consisting ofsilks, brasscandelabra, perfume, balsam, ivorychessmen, a colossal tent with many-colored curtains, an elephantnamed Abul-Abbas, and a water clock that marked the hours bydropping bronze balls into a bowl, as mechanical knightsone foreach houremerged from little doors which shut behind them. Thepresents were unprecedented in Western Europe .

When the Byzantine empress Irene was deposed, Nikephoros Ibecame emperor and refused to pay tribute to Harun, saying thatIrene should have been receiving the tribute the whole time. Newsof this angered Harun, who wrote a message on the back of the

Roman emperor's letter and said "In the name of God the mostmerciful, From Amir al-Mu'minin Harun al-Rashid, commander ofthe faithful, to Nicephoros, dog of the Romans. Thou shalt not hear,thou shalt behold my reply". After campaigns in Asia Minor,Nicephoros was forced to conclude a treaty, with humiliating terms

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silkhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brasshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Candelabrahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perfumehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Balsam_of_Meccahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ivoryhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silkhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brasshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Candelabrahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perfumehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Balsam_of_Meccahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elephanthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elephanthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elephanthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abul-Abbashttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Water_clockhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elephanthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abul-Abbashttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Water_clockhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Knightshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Knightshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irene_(empress)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nikephoros_Ihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amir_al-Mu'mininhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amir_al-Mu'mininhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amir_al-Mu'mininhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amir_al-Mu'mininhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amir_al-Mu'mininhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amir_al-Mu'mininhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amir_al-Mu'mininhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nikephoros_Ihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nikephoros_Ihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nikephoros_Ihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irene_(empress)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Knightshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Water_clockhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Water_clockhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Water_clockhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abul-Abbashttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abul-Abbashttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abul-Abbashttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elephanthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ivoryhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Balsam_of_Meccahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perfumehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Candelabrahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brasshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silk


36/55

Saadi of Shiraz inserted a number of them into hisGulistan, in one telling how Harun enjoined his son toforgiveness

There is also the tale of Harun asking Ishaq ibn Ibrahimto keep singing. The musician did until the caliph fellasleep. Then, strangely, a handsome young man

appeared, snatched the musician's lute, sang a verymoving piece (al-Masudi quotes it), and left. Onawakening and being informed of this, Harun saidIshaq ibn Ibrahim had received a supernaturalvisitation

Harun, like a number of caliphs, is given an anecdoteconnecting a poem with his death. Shortly before hedied, he is said to have been reading some lines by Abual-Atahiya about the transitory nature of the power

and pleasures of this world 36www.css.theazkp.com
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gulistan_of_Sa'dihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gulistan_of_Sa'dihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gulistan_of_Sa'dihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abu_al-Atahiyahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abu_al-Atahiyahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abu_al-Atahiyahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abu_al-Atahiyahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abu_al-Atahiyahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abu_al-Atahiyahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abu_al-Atahiyahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abu_al-Atahiyahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abu_al-Atahiyahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Masudihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gulistan_of_Sa'dihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saadi_(poet)


37/55

Harun, though called Rashid, was as prone to

vindictive cruelty,if moved to hate of jealousy, as

any of his predecessors, writes Muir

Harun followed in the footsteps of his

grandfather ,Mansur except in parsimony for nocaliph exceeds him in liberality, writes Ibn

Khaldun

Weigh him as carefully as you like in the scale of

historical criticism, Harun ar-Rasheed will always

take rank with the greatest sovereigns and rulers

of the world,writes Ameer Ali37www.css.theazkp.com


38/55

History and legend writes Hitti unite in placing

the most brilliant period of Baghdad during thecaliphate of Harun ar-Rasheed (786-809)

Baghdad turned into city of palaces and offices

He was the first to elevate music into a nobleprofession, establishing degrees and honours, as

in science and literature, writes Ameer Ali

Asmai the Grammarian, Ibrahim Mosuli the

Musician ,poet Abu Nuwas the boon companion-38www.css.theazkp.com


39/55

Al-Ma'mun

Abbasidcaliph who reigned from 813 until his

death in 833

Reign 813 - 833

Predecessor his brother Al-Amin

Successor Al-Mu'tasim39www.css.theazkp.com
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abbasidhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caliphhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/813http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Aminhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Mu'tasimhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Mu'tasimhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Mu'tasimhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Mu'tasimhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Aminhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Aminhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Aminhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/813http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caliphhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abbasidhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abbasid


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Abbasid Civil War

In 802 Harun al-Rashid ordered that al-Amin succeed

him, and al-Ma'mun serve as governor ofKhurasan andas caliph after the death of al-Amin. Al-Ma'mun wasreportedly the older of the two brothers, but hismother was a Persian woman while al-Amin's mother

was a member of the reigning Abbasid family. After al-Rashid's death in 809, the relationship between thetwo brothers deteriorated. In response to al-Ma'mun'smoves toward independence, al-Amin declared hisown son Musa to be his heir. This violation of al-

Rashid's testament led to a civil war in which al-Ma'mun's newly recruited Khurasani troops, led byTahir bin Husain (d. 822), defeated al-Amin's armiesand laid siege to Baghdad. In 813, al-Amin was

beheaded, and al-Ma'mun recognized as caliph40www.css.theazkp.com
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harun_al-Rashidhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greater_Khorasanhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Persian_peoplehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/809http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tahir_bin_Husainhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/813http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/813http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tahir_bin_Husainhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tahir_bin_Husainhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tahir_bin_Husainhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tahir_bin_Husainhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tahir_bin_Husainhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/809http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Persian_peoplehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greater_Khorasanhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harun_al-Rashidhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harun_al-Rashidhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harun_al-Rashidhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harun_al-Rashidhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harun_al-Rashid


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Mamun cannot be acquitted of acts ofcapricious violence, some of which are just ascruel as those which stain the memory of hispredecessors. Murders of Fazl bin sahl, Imam AliRaza, Tahir et al, writes Muir

Mamun was the most distinguished for hisprudence, determination , clemency , judgment,sagacity ,awe-inspiring aspect ,intrepidity,majesty and liberality of the house of Abbas

none is wiser than he ever ruled the caliphate,writes Ameer Ali

Mamuns age ushered in the palmy days of41www.css.theazkp.com


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Mamuns mother, his tutor Jafar Barmaki, vizir Fazl binsahl and wife Buran bint Hassan bin Sahl were allPersians

Persian ascendency implied three things intellectualrationalism, religious heterodoxy and politicalabsolutism

Era of Mamun, Mutasim and wathiq aptly remarked asthe age of Islamic rationalism reflecting in all walks oflife. They helped in the growth and development of thesaracenic nation, writes Ameer Ali

Tuesdays were reserved for literary philosophical andscientific discussions. Liberal and free-thinkingdoctrines of Mutazillites in 828 AD gained ground



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Foundation of Bayt-al-Hikmah in 830 in Baghdad. Hunayn bin Ishaqsupervised the translation work

First observatory was established by Mamun at shammasia on theplain of Tadmor

European asserted then that earth was flat

Abul Hassan invented telescope

Mamun left enduring monument to the intellectual developmentof the Muslim in all directions ofthought,says Ameer Ali

Mamuns reign described as the most glorious epoch in saracenichistory,and the Augustan Age of Islam

We see for the first time, perhaps in the history of the world, areligious and despotic government allied to philosophy, preparing

and partaking in its triumphs, writes Oelfier 43www.css.theazkp.com


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Administration under Abbasides

The caliph-the vizir-Hajib-the public executioner

Central deptts:

Diwan al-Aziz or the August Board under Grand vizir

Diwan al-Rasail or the chancery office

Diwan -ul-Barid

Diwan-al-khatim under the umayyads changed into

Diwanul-Tawqi or the Board of Requests44www.css.theazkp.com


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Diwan-al-Azimah or the Audit and Account office

Diwan ad-diya and Diwan as-sawafi for royal lands

Diwan an-nafaqat for royal family and courtiers

Diwan as-sirr or the secrecy office

Diwan al-Arz for inspection of military equipment

Department of police or shurta

The muhtasib or public censor



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Sources of Revenue

Zakat (poor-Tax)

Jizya (Poll-tax)

Kharaj (landtax)

Khums (one-fifth)

Usher(one-tenth)



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Salt and fishery taxes

Trade taxes on shopkeepers

Tax on mines and pastures

Tax on mills and factories

Tax on conveyances and luxuries

Tolls and im osts on borders47www.css.theazkp.com

S i ifi P d Li


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Scientific Progress and Literary

Progress Medicine: Al-Tabari, al-Razi,Ibn Sina

Philosophy:al-Kindi,al-Farabi,Ikhwan as-Saffa

Astronomy & Maths: umar al-Khayam

Alchemy: Jabir bin Hayyan

Geography

Historiography: al-Tabari,al-Masudi

Theology: Books on Hadith, jurisprudence

Ethics, literature, Arabian Nights,poetry 48www.css.theazkp.com


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The development of fine Arts

Architecture

Painting

Calligraphy

Music



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Petty dynasties

The Idrisids, The Aghlabids, The Tulunids and

Hamdanis in the West

The Tahirids, The Saffarids, The Samanids,Ghaznavids, The Buwayhids, The Saljuqs in the

East



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Downfall of the Abbasids in 1258

The Mongols sack Baghdad

Death of the Abbasid Caliph Mustasim

End of the Abbasid rule. Fall of Baghdad, end ofthe Abbasid caliphate

The Mongol II-Khans under Halaku establish their

rule in Iran and Iraq with the capital at Maragah.

Berek Khan the Muslim chief of the Golden Hordeprotests against the treatment meted out to the

Abbasid Caliph and withdraw his Contingent from52www.css.theazkp.com


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Downfall of the Abbasids: Causes

Negligence of state affairs and moral degradation of the later caliphs

Utter lack of political leadership

Supremacy of the Turks and rise of the independent states

No respect for law

Military power neglected by the later caliphs

Degenerative family and slave system

Absence of relation between provincial and central governments

Islamic polity became stationary and despotic

Racial enmity

Dominance of obscurantist and anti-rationalist ulema

Economic factors

Intellectual decay



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abbasides - class lecture

Documents