Study Guides

Unit Summary

In this unit, pupils develop broad knowledge of Islam's rise. They study Muhammad's role and the early caliphates before focusing on the creation of Baghdad as a new capital for the Islamic Umayyad Caliphate. The unit focuses on the second-order concept of causation.

Lesson Summary

You will learn to explain the founding of the city of Baghdad.

Key Notes

• The Abbasid Caliphate overthrew the Umayyad Caliphate in 750 CE and ruled land from Tunis to Multan.
• Baghdad was founded in 762 CE by caliph Al-Mansur to become the capital of the Abbasid Caliphate.
• Built by 100,000 workers to show off Abbasid wealth and power, it became the richest, most populous city in the world.
• It was built on the fertile banks of the River Tigris in the Mesopotamia valley.
• Baghdad had a circular layout and many public facilities like parks, hospitals, and libraries.

Vocabulary To Learn

• Abbasid: an Abbasid was a member of the third dynasty of caliphs that ruled the Islamic Empire after Muhammad (PBUH)
• Al-Mansur: Al-Mansur was the second caliph of the Abbasid caliphate
• populous: a populous city or place has a large number of people living there
• public facilities: public facilities are spaces, equipment and services that can be used by anyone in the community

Common Mistakes To Avoid

• Baghdad was a place of unrest.

3 Quick Questions (With Answers)

More Lessons In This Unit

• How Baghdad became the 'City of Peace' Study Guide
• Muhammad, the Qur'an and the rise of Islam Study Guide
• The early caliphates and the spread of Islam Study Guide
• The early success of Islam Study Guide
• The geography of the Umayyad Caliphate Study Guide