Abbasid Caliphate (750-1258)
Capital: Baghdad (Iraq) & Cairo (Egypt)
Descendants of beloved Prophet'sﷺ uncle Abbas, claimed to be the true successors of the Prophet and with the help of Persians (Shia Muslims) revolted against Umayyads. Abu-al-Abbas As-Saffa was the first Caliph. However, Al-Mansur, Harun-al-Rashid and Al-Mamun were notable Abbasid rulers.
Al-Mansur (2nd Caliph), moved the capital from Kufa to the newly established city, Baghdad, where the Islamic Golden Age (8th-13th century) started and ended with the sake of the city by the Mongols.
Persians were appointed governors and bureaucrats. Hence, Abbasids were more dependent on Persians. Moreover, Persian customs were largely accepted by the Abbasid rulers. Al-Mamun said, "The Persians did thousand years rule without the help of any Arab, but we cannot rule even for an hour without their (Persians) help."
Abbasids introduced the position of Vizir (like PM). Decentralized administration and judiciary. Moreover, Harun-a-Rashid established the post of Chief Justice and appointed Abu Yusuf as 1st Chief Justice. Resultantly, the Caliph became a ceremonial head of the state.
Sent an army to assist the Chinese Monarch against rebellion, established an embassy in China and made good relations.
Major Reasons for the Fall of the Abbasids:
Persians revolted against Umayyads to make a pro-Shia state, but Abbasids took the opposite approach after gaining power. That’s why patronized Persian governors and bureaucrats revolted and most of the states became sovereign.
New Muslim dynasties; Ayyubids, Mamluks and Seljuks challenged the sovereignty of Abbasids.
Destruction of Baghdad by Mongols.
Persians were preferred over the Arabs regarding governorships and administration. That’s why these Arab allies rejoined Umayyads to reestablish their rule in Spain.
Islamic Golden Age:
Abbasids followed the Hadith of beloved Prophetﷺ: “The ink of a scholar is more holy than the blood of a martyr.” During the Abbasids rule, Muslim world became a center of excellence in Science, Education, Philosophy, Medicine, Astronomy, Alchemy and Mathematics. In the Grand Library of Baghdad (House of the Wisdom/Bait-ul-Hikmah) knowledge from all over the world especially of Greek philosophers was translated into Arabic language, and then transmitted to the world.
Al-Khwarizmi: did excellent work on Algebra, Algorithm and Arabic numerals.
Ibn-al-Haythem: pioneered the science of optics.
Ibn-e-Sina (Avicenna): wrote a book, “The Canon of Medicine”.
Jabir bin Hayyan: is famous for his search on Chemistry.
Literature: Arabic poetry reached its zenith in the Abbasid era. Moreover, "One Thousand and One Nights", is a famous fiction.
Architecture: Many mosques and buildings were constructed. However, the establishment of the city Baghdad was remarkable.
Characters: Aladdin, Sindbad and Ali Baba are most popular characters used by Muslim writers.
Story: Laila-Manju is a famous love story.
Philosophers: Al-Kandi, Al-Farabi, Avicenna and Ibn-al-Haythem were influential philosophers. They studied ancient Greek scientists and translated their work in Arabic.
Textile & Technology: Egypt was the center of textile industry and technology was spread to Europe.
Paper-making & knowledge of gunpowder: was developed under Abbasids with the help of Chinese and transmitted to Europe afterwards.
Navigational science: Muslims merchants were dominated due to Arab scientists’ supremacy in naval technology.