o was hailed as a great leader by Charlemagne himself. The caliph also established diplomatic relations with China.

During this time, anyone of importance in the religious, literary and scientific worlds either knew of Baghdad or endeavored to go there to teach and seek knowledge. Harun, recognized as a strict Muslim who made numerous trips to Mecca for Haj, was immortalized in western tales of the Arabian Nights. Baghdad was a model city in terms of architecture, administration, education and jurisprudence, supported by a caliph who himself was extremely knowledgeable in literature and the arts. Baghdad, and indeed the Islamic world, was never more powerful a

Hardly a day goes by these days without news of tragedy in Iraq. Since the US-led invasion of Iraq in 2003, the country and its capital Baghdad have been the arena for bloodshed between foreign forces and local factions. Throughout its history, Baghdad has been the scene of many battles, coups, political upheaval and tragedies. However, it is more famous as one of history’s most vibrant and culturally rich cities that coincided with a great period in Islam.

The name “Baghdad” is thought to have Persian origins and means “God’s gift”. Indeed, the city was a gift to Muslims at a time when leading scholars such as Abu Haneefa taught Islam to the world.

Baghdad, around 90 kilometers north of the great Ancient city of Babylon, was built on the west bank of the Tigris on July 30 762 and has been a city in the limelight ever since. Here are some of the landmark points in time of Baghdad’s rise, and fall.

Baghdad Begins The rise of Baghdad started with its establishment in 762 AD when the Abbasid dynasty took over the Muslim world and made the newly founded city its capital under Caliph Abu Ja'far Abdallah ibn Muhammad al-Mansur. This was the start of the Golden Age of Islam, with the city being the center of education for religion, sciences and humanities.

The caliph brought in builders from all over the region to make his plans for a grand urban city a reality. Baghdad became known as the Round City, which was based on the caliph’s circular design. It was completed in 766-7 and measured two kilometers in diameter, featuring four main gates with thick walls.

The arrival of the Abbasids, for whom Mansur was its second caliph, saw the previously marginalized Persians enjoying fresh freedoms, which prompted the rise of Arab-Persian discourse and the exchange of cultural and artistic skills. The Persians had a rich and long culture and were able to express themselves more freely in promoting their own ideas and arts as superior to those of the Arabs.

Caliph Mansur also established the Bayt al-Hikmah, (House of Wisdom), which became one of the most famous learning centers in the modern world, attracting scholars from a variety of faiths and nations. The caliph’s reign, which lasted until 775, also saw the increase in the number of non-Arabs who converted to Islam. He died in 775 while en route to Mecca to perform Haj.

The Center of Civilization While Caliph Mansur laid the foundations for Baghdad’s greatness, only during the reign of the fifth caliph of Islam, Harun Al-Rashid (789-809) did the city truly become the center for modern civilization. Europe was still in the dark ages while Baghdad thrived under Harun, who was hailed as a great leader by Charlemagne himself. The caliph also established diplomatic relations with China.

During this time, anyone of importance in the religious, literary and scientific worlds either knew of Baghdad or endeavored to go there to teach and seek knowledge. Harun, recognized as a strict Muslim who made numerous trips to Mecca for Haj, was immortalized in western tales of the Arabian Nights. Baghdad was a model city in terms of architecture, administration, education and jurisprudence, supported by a caliph who himself was extremely knowledgeable in literature and the arts. Baghdad, and indeed the Islamic world, was never more powerful a

dad, around 90 kilometers north of the great Ancient city of Babylon, was built on the west bank of the Tigris on July 30 762 and has been a city in the limelight ever since. Here are some of the landmark points in time of Baghdad’s rise, and fall.

Baghdad Begins The rise of Baghdad started with its establishment in 762 AD when the Abbasid dynasty took over the Muslim world and made the newly founded city its capital under Caliph Abu Ja'far Abdallah ibn Muhammad al-Mansur. This was the start of the Golden Age of Islam, with the city being the center of education for religion, sciences and humanities.

The caliph brought in builders from all over the region to make his plans for a grand urban city a reality. Baghdad became known as the Round City, which was based on the caliph’s circular design. It was completed in 766-7 and measured two kilometers in diameter, featuring four main gates with thick walls.

The arrival of the Abbasids, for whom Mansur was its second caliph, saw the previously marginalized Persians enjoying fresh freedoms, which prompted the rise of Arab-Persian discourse and the exchange of cultural and artistic skills. The Persians had a rich and long culture and were able to express themselves more freely in promoting their own ideas and arts as superior to those of the Arabs.

Caliph Mansur also established the Bayt al-Hikmah, (House of Wisdom), which became one of the most famous learning centers in the modern world, attracting scholars from a variety of faiths and nations. The caliph’s reign, which lasted until 775, also saw the increase in the number of non-Arabs who converted to Islam. He died in 775 while en route to Mecca to perform Haj.

The Center of Civilization While Caliph Mansur laid the foundations for Baghdad’s greatness, only during the reign of the fifth caliph of Islam, Harun Al-Rashid (789-809) did the city truly become the center for modern civilization. Europe was still in the dark ages while Baghdad thrived under Harun, who was hailed as a great leader by Charlemagne himself. The caliph also established diplomatic relations with China.

During this time, anyone of importance in the religious, literary and scientific worlds either knew of Baghdad or endeavored to go there to teach and seek knowledge. Harun, recognized as a strict Muslim who made numerous trips to Mecca for Haj, was immortalized in western tales of the Arabian Nights. Baghdad was a model city in terms of architecture, administration, education and jurisprudence, supported by a caliph who himself was extremely knowledgeable in literature and the arts. Baghdad, and indeed the Islamic world, was never more powerful a

on to make his plans for a grand urban city a reality. Baghdad became known as the Round City, which was based on the caliph’s circular design. It was completed in 766-7 and measured two kilometers in diameter, featuring four main gates with thick walls.

The arrival of the Abbasids, for whom Mansur was its second caliph, saw the previously marginalized Persians enjoying fresh freedoms, which prompted the rise of Arab-Persian discourse and the exchange of cultural and artistic skills. The Persians had a rich and long culture and were able to express themselves more freely in promoting their own ideas and arts as superior to those of the Arabs.

Caliph Mansur also established the Bayt al-Hikmah, (House of Wisdom), which became one of the most famous learning centers in the modern world, attracting scholars from a variety of faiths and nations. The caliph’s reign, which lasted until 775, also saw the increase in the number of non-Arabs who converted to Islam. He died in 775 while en route to Mecca to perform Haj.

The Center of Civilization While Caliph Mansur laid the foundations for Baghdad’s greatness, only during the reign of the fifth caliph of Islam, Harun Al-Rashid (789-809) did the city truly become the center for modern civilization. Europe was still in the dark ages while Baghdad thrived under Harun, who was hailed as a great leader by Charlemagne himself. The caliph also established diplomatic relations with China.

During this time, anyone of importance in the religious, literary and scientific worlds either knew of Baghdad or endeavored to go there to teach and seek knowledge. Harun, recognized as a strict Muslim who made numerous trips to Mecca for Haj, was immortalized in western tales of the Arabian Nights. Baghdad was a model city in terms of architecture, administration, education and jurisprudence, supported by a caliph who himself was extremely knowledgeable in literature and the arts. Baghdad, and indeed the Islamic world, was never more powerful a

ur also established the Bayt al-Hikmah, (House of Wisdom), which became one of the most famous learning centers in the modern world, attracting scholars from a variety of faiths and nations. The caliph’s reign, which lasted until 775, also saw the increase in the number of non-Arabs who converted to Islam. He died in 775 while en route to Mecca to perform Haj.

The Center of Civilization While Caliph Mansur laid the foundations for Baghdad’s greatness, only during the reign of the fifth caliph of Islam, Harun Al-Rashid (789-809) did the city truly become the center for modern civilization. Europe was still in the dark ages while Baghdad thrived under Harun, who was hailed as a great leader by Charlemagne himself. The caliph also established diplomatic relations with China.

During this time, anyone of importance in the religious, literary and scientific worlds either knew of Baghdad or endeavored to go there to teach and seek knowledge. Harun, recognized as a strict Muslim who made numerous trips to Mecca for Haj, was immortalized in western tales of the Arabian Nights. Baghdad was a model city in terms of architecture, administration, education and jurisprudence, supported by a caliph who himself was extremely knowledgeable in literature and the arts. Baghdad, and indeed the Islamic world, was never more powerful a

o was hailed as a great leader by Charlemagne himself. The caliph also established diplomatic relations with China.

During this time, anyone of importance in the religious, literary and scientific worlds either knew of Baghdad or endeavored to go there to teach and seek knowledge. Harun, recognized as a strict Muslim who made numerous trips to Mecca for Haj, was immortalized in western tales of the Arabian Nights. Baghdad was a model city in terms of architecture, administration, education and jurisprudence, supported by a caliph who himself was extremely knowledgeable in literature and the arts. Baghdad, and indeed the Islamic world, was never more powerful and influential under his rule than at any time in history, either before of after.

Baghdad Returns After the death of Harun Al-Rashid, Baghdad eventually lost its status as the capital of Islam and the caliphate moved to Sammara. However, Baghdad regained power in all of its glory in 892, with the popular Al Mu’tadid becoming Caliph of the Muslim world. Baghdad recaptured its vibrancy and continued to strengthen its status as the center of civilization for the learning of Islam, sciences and literature. It was also an economic powerhouse, with thriving commerce and trade. The period was recognized as one of the greatest in Baghdad’s history, during which orthodox Islam prevailed over what many had considered deviant branches. Baghdad established its first hospital during Harun’s rule and by time the caliphate returned under Mu’tadid, the city was well known for its medical facilities and world-class doctors. The caliph was also famous for his love of chess and encouraged the game to be played in the region.

It was during this time that Baghdad was considered the largest city in the world, with some historians estimating a population of one million people, a large percentage of them coming from Iran. Cordoba in Spain began to rival Baghdad in terms of numbers around the middle of the 10th century.

After the Caliphate returned to Baghdad in 892, the city continued to be the global hub for Islam and learning for more than 350 years, during which it went through numerous leadership changes, trials, battles, insurgencies and threats from outside. Though still the Caliphate, after the 10th century, Baghdad was never able to regain the glory or recognition of the Harun Al-Rashid years or of the period starting with Mu’tadid’s reign.

The Sacking of Baghdad The date February 10, 1258 was the day Baghdad, after 500 years as one of the cultural, economic and learning centers of the world, finally fell. Under the Abbasid Caliph Al Musta’sim, Baghdad was sacked by the Mongols led by Hulagu Khan. Most of the city’s inhabitants were massacred and the caliph was rolled up in a carpet and stomped on by the horses of the invading army. The end of Baghdad had much wider implications for Islam. Indeed, it marked the start of the decline of the Muslim empire, which has never fully recovered since.

20th Century Baghdad went through a period of decline during the Ottoman years, and after a time of British rule, was granted independence in 1932. The country’s British-backed monarchy was removed from power in 1958 by the Iraqi Army and, durin