History of Abbasid Caliphate (750-1258)
History of Abbasid Caliphate
Beginning of Caliphate:
Abbasid Caliphate Arabic: al-Khilafah al-‘Abbasiyyah) is the third of the Islamic caliphates. It was ruled by the Abbasid dynasty. Baghdad was the capital of this caliphate. After overthrowing the Umayyad Caliphate, the Abbasid Caliphate was established.
The Abbasid caliphs were descended from Abbas ibn Abdul Muttalib. He was the youngest uncle of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). Because of their close relationship with Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), they overthrew the Umayyads and claimed to be the true successors of the Prophet.
The Abbasids set themselves apart from them by attacking morally and administratively. According to Ira Lepidus, “The Abbasid revolt was largely supported by the Arabs. and the non-Arab Muslims sided with the Abbasids.
Muhammad ibn Ali, the great-grandson of Abbas, campaigned in Persia during Umar II to return power to the family of Muhammad. In 750 AD, Abdullah defeated the Umayyads at the Battle of “Jaber” and proclaimed himself Caliph. He is known in history as As-Safafah. After the victory, he sent his army to Central Asia. His troops fought against the Tang dynasty at the Battle of Talas. Thus, the Abbasids created a new history in Cordoba, the Umayyad capital of Spain in the middle of ten years.
The first and last Caliphs of the Abbasid dynasty:
Abul Abbas Abdullah ibn Muhammad as Safah or Abul Abbas al Safah (b. 721/722 AD – d. 9 June 754 AD, reigned 749–754 AD) was the first Abbasid caliph. The Abbasid Caliphate was named after the Prophet’s (PBUH) uncle Al-Abbas. The dynasty was named after him the Abbasid dynasty. The Abbasid Caliphate established the history of the longest period of rule in the history of the world.
It is known from the history of Islam that this caliphate is one of the ruling periods of Islam and the longest ruling period of Islam was the Abbasid caliphate. And you want to know about the matter of who was the last caliph of the Abbasid dynasty during this caliphate. There were a total of 37 caliphs of the Abbasid Caliphate. And the last caliph among them was Al Mutasim. He served as the last caliph of the Abbasid dynasty in 1258.
Central to Abbasid Caliphate Education:
During the Abbasid Caliphate, Arab scientists were ahead in every field, including astronomy, alchemy, mathematics, medical science, and optics. The period leading up to the Mongol invasion of Baghdad is considered the Golden Age of Islam. The Golden Age began with the rise to power of the Abbasids and the transfer of the capital from Damascus to Baghdad.
The Abbasids were inspired by the teachings of the Qur’an and Hadith. Due to the establishment of Baitul Hikmah in Baghdad and the Abbasids’ interest in knowledge, the Muslim world became an intellectual centre of science, philosophy, medicine, and education. Scholars from both Muslim and non-Muslim communities engaged in translating the world’s knowledge into Arabic.
Many works that were likely lost were translated into Arabic and Persian, and later into Turkish, Hebrew, and Latin. The Muslim world became a centre of various cultures and passed on knowledge from ancient Rome, China, India, Persia, Egypt, North Africa, and Greek and Byzantine civilizations.
Reasons for the decline of the Abbasid Caliphate:
Rise, development and decline, these natural laws, occur in the lives of individuals and nations alike. According to the historian Ibn Khaldun, a dynasty can only maintain its energy and poetry for a hundred years. Then its decline and extinction began. The Abbasid dynasty was no exception to this rule. Although this dynasty (750-1258 AD) lasted for more than 500 years – the real glory and prestige of this dynasty were present until the caliphate of al-Wasiq (842-47 AD).
His later successors were only nominally present in the Abbasid Masnad until 1258 AD; They had virtually no power. As the normal lifespan of the Abbasid dynasty ended, its downfall is not surprising. However, several other reasons led to the downfall of the Abbasid dynasty, in brief:—
1:– Breakdown of autonomous dynasties
2:–Buyis and Seljuks take military control.
3:–Resurgence of military power. Chaos among the army.
4:–Mongol invasion. There are also many other reasons. We will only briefly discuss the fall of Baghdad here.
Abbasi Caliphate collapsed immediately big reason: 1258 AD. Invasion of Baghdad by Haluk Khan:
The direct cause of the downfall of the Abbasid dynasty was the Mongol leader Halaku Khan’s invasion of Baghdad. In 1253 AD, Halaku Khan sent a letter to the last Abbasid Caliph Mustasim (1242-58) seeking help in exterminating the sect of assassins. The unfortunate Caliph refused his invitation and gave him an insolent reply. Enraged by this, Halaku Khan single-handedly exterminated the sect of assassins, marched towards Baghdad in January 1258 and killed the last caliph.
The Caliph’s forces were defeated twice and took shelter inside the city. The Mongol army laid siege for 40 days and kept hurling huge boulders and burning fire (naphtha) at the city walls. The city walls collapsed. Nirupaya surrendered to Caliph Mustasim Halaku and begged for his life. But Halaku brutally killed the Caliph and all the royal family (February 1258).
Before the invasion, Baghdad had a population of over 2 million. According to Ibn Khaldun, the Narshardul Mongols brutally looted and massacred six hundred thousand men, women, old men and children by cutting or crushing them to death for six weeks. It is said that for three days blood flowed through the streets of the city and the course of the Tigris was stained with blood for many miles. They destroyed palaces, mosques, tombs, hospitals, and educational institutions. “The seat of learning, the arena of civilization, and the eye and centre of the Saracen world were destroyed forever.”
In this way, the art literature that had accumulated over 500 years of tireless work was destroyed in just a few days. With the assassination of Caliph Mustasim, there was no other Caliph in the Muslim world whose name could be mentioned in the Friday sermon. Historian Ibnul Asir said in this context. “The invasion of the Tartars is one of the greatest calamities and the most terrible divine calamities to befall the whole world in general and the Muslims in particular. Such an accident did not occur in later ages.”
Modern historian Bernard Lewis does not accept this statement. According to him, the caliphate was dying, the caliphs had lost their worldly power and religious privileges and become playthings in the hands of sultans and emirs. So the Mongols destroyed the fear of a dying institution. Perhaps this is why the muftis of Mustansiriya Madasa accepted Halaku Khan’s ruling authority as legitimate. You can also Visit
Incompetence of subsequent rulers in the fall of the Abbasid Caliphate:
Among the thirty-seven caliphs of the Abbasid dynasty, some of the earliest caliphs, particularly Mansur, Mahdi, Harun and Ma’mun, were among the most powerful rulers in the world. They possessed extraordinary administrative skills and versatile talents. But most of the caliphs after Mutasim were incompetent, ineffective and weak.
Al-Thalibi says, “Al-Manusr initiated the glory of the Abbasid dynasty, al-Mamun completed it, and it ended during the reign of al-Mutadid (892-902). The later incompetent caliphs were intoxicated with luxury, showing disregard and negligence towards governance. As a result, there was anarchy in the empire, dissension in the army, and the destructive activities of the corrupt and selfish Amir Umrahs led to the rapid decline of the Abbasid Empire.
List of Abbasid Caliphs and their period of caliphate:
As-Safah – 750-754 (founder of the Abbasid dynasty)
Al-Mansur – 754-775
Al-Mahdi – 775-785
Al-Hadi – 785-786
Harunur Rashid – 786-809
Al-Amin – 809-813
Al-Mamun – 813-833
Al-Mu’tasim – 833-842
Al-Wasiq – 842-847
Al-Mutawakkil – 847-861
Al-Muntasir – 861-862
Al-Mustayn – 862-866
Al-Mu’taj – 866-869
Al-Muhtadi – 869-870
Al-Mu’tamid – 870–892
Al-Mutadid – 892-902
Al-Muktafi – 902-908
Al-Muqtadir – 908-932
Al-Qahir – 932-934
Ar-Radi – 934-940
Al-Muttaqi – 940-944
Al-Mustaqfi – 944-946
Al-Muti – 946-974
Al-Ta’i – 974-991
Al-Qadir – 991-1031
Al-Qaim – 1031-1075
Al-Muqtadi – 1075-1094
Al-Mustazir – 1094-1118
Al-Mustarshid – 1118-1135
Ar-Rashid – 1135-1136
Al-Muk’tafi – 1136-1160
Al-Mustanzid – 1160-1170
Al-Mustadi – 1170-1180
An-Nasir – 1180-1225
Az-Zahir – 1225-1226
Al-Mustansir – 1226-1242
Al-Mustasim – 1242-1258 (Last Abbasid Caliph of Baghdad)
(Towards the end of Abbasid rule, Muslim rulers began to use sultan or other titles.
Some positive and negative features of the Abbasid Caliphate:
During the long 500-year caliphate, many state activities were carried out by the Abbasids. In state administration
They are highly qualified. Likewise, many weaknesses have also been shown on their part.
The positive and negative features of the Abbasid government are highlighted:—–
1. Bearer of monarchy: The Abbasids, like the Umayyads, were holders of the monarchy. genuine
He abolished the caliphate system. As a result, the Abbasids called their government the Daulah instead of the Caliphate
The word “Dawlah” means “new state”.
2. Transfer of capital of Islamic empire from Syria to Baghdad: The first Abbasid Caliph Abul
Abbas al-Saffah could not trust the people of Kufa. That is why he is the “Hammam Ain” of Khurasan.
He shifted his residence to the named place. After a short time from there, he set up his headquarters at a place called ‘Hira’. From there he again shifted his residence to a place called “Hashimiya” ” His death
Later his brother Abu Ja’far al-Mansur gave Baghdad the status of permanent capital. Thus the Umayyad
The capital established during the regime was shifted from Damascus to Baghdad. As a result, Syria’s preeminence was diminishing day by day and Baghdad’s glory was increasing day by day.
3. Liberation of Iraq from Syrian rule: Despite hundreds of attempts during the Umayyad period, the Iraqis did not get rid of Syrian rule. With Baghdad as the capital of the Islamic Empire, Iraq was able to break free from its domination, and the Abbasid government emerged as pro-Iraqi and anti-Syrian.
4. The predominance of non-Arabs: With the establishment of the Abbasid caliphate, Arab dominance and privilege eroded, and hitherto disenfranchised non-Arabs were able to dominate the government.
5. Internationalization of Islam: Arab and non-Arab distinctions were eliminated and Islam emerged in an international form. The Iranians and Khorasanis, with whose help the Abbasids gained power, also
Like the Arabs, they get the opportunity to participate in various activities of the government. They became the whole of the empire and the influence of the Arabs began to decline day by day. “Iranism exerts its influence on the Arabs under the guise of international Islam,” noted Wellhausen.
6. The nature of the Abbasid government was non-Arab The government established by the Abbasid caliphs was non-Arab in nature; On the other hand, the nature of the Umayyad government was Arabian.
7. Excesses of Mosahabs in court: A radical change can be observed in the Abbasid court as compared to earlier. The caliphs often lived surrounded by the Mosahab. Hashemi, Khurasani and
The predominance of military chiefs increased. The dominance and influence of freed slaves in particular made the course of politics very complicated.
8. Creation of Dominant Class in Government: During Abbasid rule, government officers became a permanent dominant class. At their head was the Prime Minister. These ministers later became Caliphs and performed all official functions; The Caliph lived only by sermons and speeches.
9. Prevalence of non-Arabic customs in the Caliph’s court: The courts of some Abbasid caliphs had a fair amount of Iranian influence. The caliph’s status was enhanced by appointing court executioners. By beheading the accused on the orders of the caliph, the killer displayed the power of the caliph. Moreover, the future was kept in courtMessengers were especially stationed with troops on military campaigns.
10. Postmaster Appointment: A major feature of the Abbasid court was the appointment of postmasters. Postmasters also did detective work. Even the details of all the activities of the provincial governors were secretly narrated to the Caliph.
11. Reestablishment of Islam: One of the most important features of Abbasid rule was that the Abbasid caliphs believed that they were the ones who re-established Islam. They are scholars of Hadith from Medina to BaghdadInvite them to go and try to accomplish their goals by them. They extolled the Qur’an and Hadith and tried to solve problems and judgments according to the rules of the Shari’ah.
12. Betrayal with Shi’a: From the very beginning, the Abbasids started a politics of assassination and conspiracy. They promised the Shi’a Imam the caliphate and enlisted the help of the Shi’a to overthrow the Umayyads.is able; But after gaining the throne, they did not keep that promise, instead, Caliph Mansur killed that Imam and cleared their way.
With the help of commanders like Ali, Abu Muslim gained power, but they did not keep any of them alive. They even preferred the Turks to suppress the Khurasanis and cleared their way by suppressing the Khurasanis.
13. The Abbasid Caliph Mansur assumed spiritual leadership to exert lasting influence over the Muslims and establish the Abbasid dynasty in power. That is why they were worldly and spiritual leader During the Abbasid period, the caliphate became more attractive and the caliph was referred to as “Zillullah Alal Arad” or the shadow of God on earth.
14. Greed for military talent and ruined the integrity of the Caliphate: The Arab nation emerged as a military nation and by the Umayyad period the Arabs established empires in large parts of Asia, Europe and Africa and held an unbroken caliphate. But during the Abbasid period, on the one hand, like the Arabs
Military talent was lost, on the other hand, the integrity of the caliphate was also destroyed.
15. Science practice: The Abbasid period saw the greatest progress in the field of epistemology. During the Umayyad rule, it is possible that the focus was on learning for conquests and civil wars
did not Moreover, intelligent Mawalis were neglected in those days. But during the Abbasid period, along with their political establishment, they gained economic emancipation, and they not only based on that but also expected the Arabs.
He started the study of knowledge based on excellence and made a unique contribution to Islamic civilization.
16. Influence of the Turks: One of the most notable features of the Abbasid period was the rise in influence of the Persians as well as the Turks. Abbasid to reduce Persian influence and get rid of the Persian environment Mutawakkil raised the Turkic bodyguards and gave them maximum privileges and moved the capital from Baghdad to Turkistan. These Turks later became the rulers of the Caliph’s estates. After that, the Seljuk Turks came to power again and dominated the Abbasid caliphs for a long time. More
