Abbasid caliphate
Also called: Abbasids · Topic: Nomadic Empires: The Mongols · NCERT: Class 11, Ch 2 "An Empire Across Three Continents"
Meaning
The Abbasid caliphate was an Islamic dynasty that came to power in 750 CE. A caliph was seen as the head of the Muslim community. The Abbasids ruled from Baghdad, which became a great centre of learning and trade. Their rule ended when the Mongols captured Baghdad. This was one of the most important results of the Mongol expansion into West Asia.
Example
In 1258 Mongol forces under Hulegu, younger brother of the Great Khan Mongke, captured Baghdad. This ended the Abbasid caliphate. Hulegu then set up the Il-Khanid state of Iran. Chroniclers claimed that 800,000 people died at Baghdad, but such figures were often inflated.
Don't confuse with
- Umayyad caliphate: the Umayyads were the dynasty the Abbasids replaced in 750 CE. They ruled from Damascus, not Baghdad.
Related concepts
- Hulegu
- Sack of Baghdad
- Il-Khanate
- Battle of Ain Jalut 1260
- Ulus
- Golden Horde
- Karakorum
- Kublai Khan
- Yuan dynasty