Abbasid Decline and the Spread of Islam Through Asia

Abbasid Excesses Al-Mahdi – 3 rd Abbasid caliph – during his reign it was already evident that courtly excesses and political divisions would plague the dynasty Al-Mahdi – 3 rd Abbasid caliph – during his reign it was already evident that courtly excesses and political divisions would plague the dynasty Al-Mahdi tried to reconcile with moderate Shi’a but this effort failed – Shi’a revolts and intrigue followed Al-Mahdi tried to reconcile with moderate Shi’a but this effort failed – Shi’a revolts and intrigue followed Al-Mahdi opulence, dependent wives, concubines and courtiers drained the imperial treasury. Al-Mahdi opulence, dependent wives, concubines and courtiers drained the imperial treasury.

HARUN AL-RASHID came to the Abbasid throne after al-Mahdi’s son and successor was poisoned. HARUN AL-RASHID came to the Abbasid throne after al-Mahdi’s son and successor was poisoned. Harun’s lavish court was on display in the early 800s, when the Holy Roman Emperor Charlemagne sent emissaries to the Abbasid court. Harun’s lavish court was on display in the early 800s, when the Holy Roman Emperor Charlemagne sent emissaries to the Abbasid court. Harun’s reign also saw the rise of the power of advisors. Later caliphs would have to struggle for power within their own court among different factions led by such advisors. Harun’s reign also saw the rise of the power of advisors. Later caliphs would have to struggle for power within their own court among different factions led by such advisors. Harun’s death was marked by questions of succession and civil war. Harun’s death was marked by questions of succession and civil war.

The Thousand and One Nights The Thousand and One Nights Scheherazade Scheherazade

The civil wars after the death of Harun al-Rashid caused greater imperial breakdown The civil wars after the death of Harun al-Rashid caused greater imperial breakdown New caliphs built new imperial palaces and mosques New caliphs built new imperial palaces and mosques The imperial bureaucracy needed more and more state officials The imperial bureaucracy needed more and more state officials The cost of the court led to massive taxes – many of which were imposed on peasants in the lands under firm Abbasid control The cost of the court led to massive taxes – many of which were imposed on peasants in the lands under firm Abbasid control The growing armies also added to the tax burden The growing armies also added to the tax burden Infrastructure – including irrigation systems – failed – leading many peasants to leave Abbasid control, join bandit gangs, or to move to the cities as homeless. Infrastructure – including irrigation systems – failed – leading many peasants to leave Abbasid control, join bandit gangs, or to move to the cities as homeless. Dissident Shi’a often encouraged peasant revolts against the Abbasid Dissident Shi’a often encouraged peasant revolts against the Abbasid

The failure of smooth successions led not only to civil wars but to the growth of personal armies – teams of “bodyguards” were often in the thousands The failure of smooth successions led not only to civil wars but to the growth of personal armies – teams of “bodyguards” were often in the thousands Slave Armies Slave Armies Mercenaries Mercenaries

Women and Slavery in the Abbasid Empire “The harem and the veil” – growing confinement of women to the home in the Abbasid dynasty. Slave women were allowed to leave the home and did not have to wear the veils and robes forced on free women. “The harem and the veil” – growing confinement of women to the home in the Abbasid dynasty. Slave women were allowed to leave the home and did not have to wear the veils and robes forced on free women. Concubines – often slaves – they could earn their freedom if their sons were healthy and strong Concubines – often slaves – they could earn their freedom if their sons were healthy and strong Eunuchs – (as in China) eunuchs often were behind palace plots and intrigue Eunuchs – (as in China) eunuchs often were behind palace plots and intrigue Thousands of slaves were obtained from the regions surrounding the empire – the Balkans, Africa, central Asia, etc. Thousands of slaves were obtained from the regions surrounding the empire – the Balkans, Africa, central Asia, etc. Intelligent slaves of both sexes were prized – with many of the dynasties best educated men and women were slaves. Caliphs and other court officials often used their slaves as trusted advisors and personal soldiers. Intelligent slaves of both sexes were prized – with many of the dynasties best educated men and women were slaves. Caliphs and other court officials often used their slaves as trusted advisors and personal soldiers.

Nomadic Invaders As with all empires of the time, border regions were often prone to attack by invaders and a loss of direct control by the central government. As with all empires of the time, border regions were often prone to attack by invaders and a loss of direct control by the central government. 945 C.E. Buyids – a Persian dynasty that took control of Baghdad and made the caliphs their puppets – the Buyids tried to increase the influence of the Shi’a/ 945 C.E. Buyids – a Persian dynasty that took control of Baghdad and made the caliphs their puppets – the Buyids tried to increase the influence of the Shi’a/ Sultan – “victorious” in Arabic – title taken by the Buyids Sultan – “victorious” in Arabic – title taken by the Buyids Seljuk Turks – 1055 C.E. the central Asian Seljuk Turks entered the Abbasid Empire through Persia. The Turks ruled the empire “in the name of the caliphs.” As Sunnis, the Turks moved against the Shi’a and then against the Byzantines. Seljuk Turks – 1055 C.E. the central Asian Seljuk Turks entered the Abbasid Empire through Persia. The Turks ruled the empire “in the name of the caliphs.” As Sunnis, the Turks moved against the Shi’a and then against the Byzantines. The Turks began to move into Asia Minor – Anatolia. The Turks began to move into Asia Minor – Anatolia.

Crusades See separate PowerPoint See separate PowerPoint

Persian Literature Rubaiyat Omar Khayyam – Persian poetry Rubaiyat Omar Khayyam – Persian poetry Shah-Nama “Book of Kings” – Persian historical conquests Shah-Nama “Book of Kings” – Persian historical conquests The calligraphy made the actual texts examples of Islamic art. The calligraphy made the actual texts examples of Islamic art.

Sciences Occupying a central place in Asian trade, the Abbasids gained knowledge from the Greeks and Indians. Occupying a central place in Asian trade, the Abbasids gained knowledge from the Greeks and Indians. In cultural centers such as Baghdad, the Muslims made great scientific breakthroughs – as well as refining and improving the work of the Greeks and Indians In cultural centers such as Baghdad, the Muslims made great scientific breakthroughs – as well as refining and improving the work of the Greeks and Indians Trigonometry – sine, cosine, and tangent Trigonometry – sine, cosine, and tangent Objective experiment Objective experiment Classification of animal, vegetable and mineral Classification of animal, vegetable and mineral Astronomical tables and maps of the stars (trade) Astronomical tables and maps of the stars (trade) Cairo hospitals Cairo hospitals Schools and examinations for doctors and pharmacists Schools and examinations for doctors and pharmacists Taught papermaking, silk weaving and ceramic firing from China to Europe Taught papermaking, silk weaving and ceramic firing from China to Europe

Complex Religious Trends Ulama – orthodox religious scholars – their conservative stand on Islam was a counterbalance to a growing Islamic mysticism Ulama – orthodox religious scholars – their conservative stand on Islam was a counterbalance to a growing Islamic mysticism Al-Ghazali – tried to blend Greek and Islamic traditions – but was rejected by the Ulama Al-Ghazali – tried to blend Greek and Islamic traditions – but was rejected by the Ulama Sufi – Islamic mysticism Sufi – Islamic mysticism

Mongols See separate PowerPoint See separate PowerPoint

Islamic Movement East Hinduism and Islam – Muslim warriors, merchants, etc. moved into South Asia. Hinduism and Islam – Muslim warriors, merchants, etc. moved into South Asia. Muslim inroads in India led to a unique relationship between Islam and Hinduism – as Hindus were viewed as “people of the book.” Muslim inroads in India led to a unique relationship between Islam and Hinduism – as Hindus were viewed as “people of the book.” Islam was egalitarian while Hinduism was based upon the caste system. Islam was egalitarian while Hinduism was based upon the caste system. Hinduism was adaptive while Islam was religiously rigid. Hinduism was adaptive while Islam was religiously rigid. Conversion to Islam was relatively limited – mainly in trading centers and among people of lower castes. Conversion to Islam was relatively limited – mainly in trading centers and among people of lower castes.

Muhammad ibn Qasim – was 17 when he led 10,000 Muslim warriors into Pakistan in 711 C.E. to avenge attacks on Arab shipping by the king of Sindh – this began an eventual conquest of India Muhammad ibn Qasim – was 17 when he led 10,000 Muslim warriors into Pakistan in 711 C.E. to avenge attacks on Arab shipping by the king of Sindh – this began an eventual conquest of India Muslim rulers controlled a vast population of Hindus and Buddhists. Muslim rulers controlled a vast population of Hindus and Buddhists. Muslims also began to adopt Indian dress and customs. Muslims also began to adopt Indian dress and customs.

The Second Wave of Muslim Invasions in India MAHMUD OF GHAZNI – 3 rd ruler of a Turkish slave dynasty in Afghanistan – he led a series of raids that led to the Muslim domination of northern India MAHMUD OF GHAZNI – 3 rd ruler of a Turkish slave dynasty in Afghanistan – he led a series of raids that led to the Muslim domination of northern India Muhammad of Ghur – in the late 12 th century – he expanded upon the gains of Mahmud of Ghazni into the Gangetic plain. Muhammad of Ghur – in the late 12 th century – he expanded upon the gains of Mahmud of Ghazni into the Gangetic plain. Qutb-ud-din Aibak – seized power after the assassination of Muhammad of Ghur Qutb-ud-din Aibak – seized power after the assassination of Muhammad of Ghur “Sultans of Delhi” – the Muslims built their capital at Delhi in the center of northern India. Muslim dynasties fought each other, the Mongols, the Turks, and the Hindu princes for control of India. “Sultans of Delhi” – the Muslims built their capital at Delhi in the center of northern India. Muslim dynasties fought each other, the Mongols, the Turks, and the Hindu princes for control of India.

Hindu Revivals in the Face of Islam BHAKTIC – mystical devotional cults to the gods – developed as to counter the appeal of Islam to the lower castes. BHAKTIC – mystical devotional cults to the gods – developed as to counter the appeal of Islam to the lower castes. Mira Bai – female writer who wrote religious poetry and songs as part of the bhaktic cults. Mira Bai – female writer who wrote religious poetry and songs as part of the bhaktic cults. Kabir – a Muslim mystic and weaver who tried to play down the religious differences and build common ground. Kabir – a Muslim mystic and weaver who tried to play down the religious differences and build common ground.

Muslim Sailors and Traders Muslim sailors and traders took their religion east into Indonesia Muslim sailors and traders took their religion east into Indonesia Shrivijaya – the 13 th century collapse of this empire along the Strait of Malacca led to opening for Islam in the port cities of the Buddhist Shrivijaya. Shrivijaya – the 13 th century collapse of this empire along the Strait of Malacca led to opening for Islam in the port cities of the Buddhist Shrivijaya. Malacca and Demak – trading center that became an Islamic center Malacca and Demak – trading center that became an Islamic center Conversion linked to business and trading centers Conversion linked to business and trading centers