2.3.1

Location & Building of Baghdad

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Location and Building of Medieval Baghdad

Al-Mansur, Caliph of the Islamic Empire in the 8th century, built Baghdad as the centre of the empire in 762. The architecture of Baghdad helps historians understand the Muslim World.

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Al-Mansur

  • The Muslim World was broken into different caliphates.
  • Al-Mansur was the Caliph, the religious and political leader, of the Islamic Empire from 754-775.
    • He was a member of the Abbasid dynasty, the line of rulers who led the empire from 750-1258.
    • He was announced as Caliph on his way to Mecca in 753, after the death of his predecessor As-Saffah.
    • Al-Mansur killed one of the military generals in fear of his power and popularity with the people.
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Background

  • The Islamic Empire stretched from India to Spain.
  • Al-Mansur founded the new imperial residence and palace city Madinat as-Salam to consolidate (secure) his power. The city's name translates to 'the city of peace'.
    • This became the core of the imperial capital of Baghdad and Baghdad became the capital of the Muslim world in 762.
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Location

  • Baghdad was on the western bank of the River Tigris, an ideal defensive and trade location.
  • The city was protected by a double-thick defensive wall, with four gates for entry and exit.
    • These gates were called Kufa, Syria, Khorasan, and Basra. Their roads all led to a different part of the empire.
  • Baghdad was located on the Silk Road, a group of trade routes that allowed China to trade with the Middle East and Europe.
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The Silk Road

  • Fine silks and spices from India and China were traded in Baghdad. This shows Baghdad was connected to other areas of the world.
  • Baghdad's location also allowed it to easily transport items to and from the centre of the Islamic Empire.
  • People could easily travel along the routes and settle in the empire. The city was populated by diverse religious and cultural groups, including Christians and Jewish people.
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Buildings

  • A million people lived in Baghdad in the 10th century. Al-Mansur wanted the city to act as a solid centre for the caliphate.
  • Baghdad saw lots of development and innovation during Al-Mansur's rule.
    • Mosques were built regularly, showing both Al-Mansur's devotion to Islam and his desire to expand Baghdad. The city became one of his biggest achievements.
  • His rule was largely peaceful as he focused on reform, agriculture, and developing the sciences.

Jump to other topics

1The Medieval World: 450-1450 AD

1.1Anglo-Saxon England

1.2The Contest for the English Throne

1.3Conquering the Holy Land, 10-96-1396 AD

1.4King John

1.5The Magna Carta & Parliament

1.6The Black Death

2Worldviews

3The Empire of Mali

4The Renaissance & Reformations, 1500-1598 AD

5The British Empire, 1583-1960 AD

6The Peasants' Revolt

7Religion in the Middle Ages

8Slavery, 1619-1833 AD

9The English Civil War, 1642-1660

10The Industrial Revolution, 1750-1840

11US Independence, 1775-1783

12The French Revolution, 1789-1815

13The British Empire, 1857–1930

14Suffrage

15World War 1, 1914-1918

16The Inter-War Years, 1919-1939

17World War 2, 1939-1945

18The Cold War, 1947-1962

19Civil Rights in the USA, 1954-1975

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