Abbasid Decline and Abbasid Decline and the Spread of Islamthe Spread of Islam

C 7C 7

EQ: What factors brought down the Abbasid dynasty?EQ: What factors brought down the Abbasid dynasty?How did the spread of Islam impact India and SE Asia?How did the spread of Islam impact India and SE Asia?

The Late Abbasid EraThe Late Abbasid Era The Empire fully disintegrated between the 9The Empire fully disintegrated between the 9thth and 13 and 13thth

centuriescenturies The early warning signs of decline began during the rule The early warning signs of decline began during the rule

of Caliph al-Mahdi (775-785, only the THIRD caliph)…he of Caliph al-Mahdi (775-785, only the THIRD caliph)…he failed to reconcile with the Shiites, who continued to failed to reconcile with the Shiites, who continued to assassinate Abbasid rulersassassinate Abbasid rulers

One the biggest factors in Abbasid decline was their One the biggest factors in Abbasid decline was their extravagant and frugal behaviorextravagant and frugal behavior The Abbasids liked to throw money around, built lavish The Abbasids liked to throw money around, built lavish

unnecessary palaces, all the while taxing the lower classes unnecessary palaces, all the while taxing the lower classes immenselyimmensely

Another problem was solving the issue of successionAnother problem was solving the issue of succession Caliphs had many sons, many sons wanted to be in power, Caliphs had many sons, many sons wanted to be in power,

sometimes they killed each other…those who had just daughters sometimes they killed each other…those who had just daughters had to hope they married sensible menhad to hope they married sensible men

The Late Abbasid EraThe Late Abbasid Era

Continued violence amongst the upper classes Continued violence amongst the upper classes in the Abbasid dynasty put a significant strain in the Abbasid dynasty put a significant strain on the treasuryon the treasury

The peasant farmers, who were being The peasant farmers, who were being burdening by high taxes, literally stopped burdening by high taxes, literally stopped farming…the agrarian system fell into disrepair farming…the agrarian system fell into disrepair as peasants fled into the desert to hide from as peasants fled into the desert to hide from tax collectorstax collectors

Peasants often formed dissident groups, many Peasants often formed dissident groups, many Shiites formed political factions bent on Shiites formed political factions bent on overthrowing the Sunni Abbasids (Persians)overthrowing the Sunni Abbasids (Persians)

The Declining Position of The Declining Position of WomenWomen

Women, who under early Arab rulers had greater Women, who under early Arab rulers had greater freedom, saw their rights decline immenselyfreedom, saw their rights decline immensely

The harem and the veil became the standard place and The harem and the veil became the standard place and outfit for a woman (Assyrian/Persian practices)…veiling outfit for a woman (Assyrian/Persian practices)…veiling became paramount because women were regarded as became paramount because women were regarded as a source of lust and distraction for mena source of lust and distraction for men

Wealthier women were generally subjects to these Wealthier women were generally subjects to these restrictions, kept at home as domestics and forced into restrictions, kept at home as domestics and forced into child bearing…in the Abbasid elite, women were largely child bearing…in the Abbasid elite, women were largely responsible for power brokering their sons’ careersresponsible for power brokering their sons’ careers

Most poorer women still had some rights, becoming Most poorer women still had some rights, becoming more economically activemore economically active

Forces that Kill the Forces that Kill the AbbasidsAbbasids

Nomadic InvasionsNomadic Invasions By the mid-10By the mid-10thth century, breakaway edge provinces challenged century, breakaway edge provinces challenged

Abbasid rule (Buyids in Persia)…caliphs eventually became their Abbasid rule (Buyids in Persia)…caliphs eventually became their puppet rulerspuppet rulers

In 1055, the Seljuk Turks from central Asia took the remaining In 1055, the Seljuk Turks from central Asia took the remaining portions of the Abbasid Empire, capturing Baghdadportions of the Abbasid Empire, capturing Baghdad

They were staunch Sunnis who persecuted the Shi’a and They were staunch Sunnis who persecuted the Shi’a and relocated the center of their empire (Ottoman) to Turkey (Istanbul, relocated the center of their empire (Ottoman) to Turkey (Istanbul, once Constantinople)once Constantinople)

The Mongols finish off Baghdad in the 1250s, never to recover The Mongols finish off Baghdad in the 1250s, never to recover againagain

The CrusadesThe Crusades The now organized kingdoms of Christian Europe began invading The now organized kingdoms of Christian Europe began invading

the Holy Lands in 1099, establishing kingdoms that rivaled the Holy Lands in 1099, establishing kingdoms that rivaled remaining Abbasid Muslims (caliphates) and the Seljuksremaining Abbasid Muslims (caliphates) and the Seljuks

This rivalry lasted until 1291 when the Seljuks finally recaptured all This rivalry lasted until 1291 when the Seljuks finally recaptured all territoryterritory

None-the-less, the Crusades gave Europe a period of access to None-the-less, the Crusades gave Europe a period of access to ancient Greek, Roman, Mesopotamian, Persian and other Muslim ancient Greek, Roman, Mesopotamian, Persian and other Muslim ideals and innovationsideals and innovations

The “Invasion” of IndiaThe “Invasion” of India

MEANWHILE…MEANWHILE… Like the Aryans, Muslims find their way into the Like the Aryans, Muslims find their way into the

subcontinent (NW and by sea) in the 7subcontinent (NW and by sea) in the 7thth century CE century CE Immediate differences/clashes –Islam vs. HinduismImmediate differences/clashes –Islam vs. Hinduism

Hindus have their structured social hierarchy, MAJOR Hindus have their structured social hierarchy, MAJOR differences between people, polytheistic beliefs and tolerance differences between people, polytheistic beliefs and tolerance for other peoples beliefsfor other peoples beliefs

Muslims have their unified social system (only divisions in Muslims have their unified social system (only divisions in sex), monotheistic belief and highly doctrinaire (text based) sex), monotheistic belief and highly doctrinaire (text based) system of beliefs that is generally tolerant AS LONG AS YOU system of beliefs that is generally tolerant AS LONG AS YOU BELIEVE IN ONE GODBELIEVE IN ONE GOD

HOWEVER, the first series of interactions between HOWEVER, the first series of interactions between Muslims and Hindus was actually quite peacefulMuslims and Hindus was actually quite peaceful

The First WaveThe First Wave

711 CE – peaceful trading contacts over land and sea 711 CE – peaceful trading contacts over land and sea with Indian rajahswith Indian rajahs Remember, India is now a fragmented series of kingdoms (no Remember, India is now a fragmented series of kingdoms (no

unified empire)unified empire) ATTACKATTACK

Pirates from Sind began attacking Muslim traders and the Pirates from Sind began attacking Muslim traders and the Umayyads retaliated (Muhammad ibn Qasim claimed Indus Umayyads retaliated (Muhammad ibn Qasim claimed Indus Valley for the Umayyads)Valley for the Umayyads)

Resistance is futileResistance is futile Most Indian kingdoms did not resist Muslim “invasions”Most Indian kingdoms did not resist Muslim “invasions” Many local leaders were attracted by the principles of Islam Many local leaders were attracted by the principles of Islam

(tolerance, light taxes, equality)(tolerance, light taxes, equality) They became protected by the Umayyads, and enjoyed They became protected by the Umayyads, and enjoyed

religious freedom yet taxation for their freedomreligious freedom yet taxation for their freedom NO CONVERSION was forced on Hindus or Buddhist living in NO CONVERSION was forced on Hindus or Buddhist living in

protected areasprotected areas

Indian Influences on Indian Influences on IslamIslam

Cultural and Intellectual InteractionsCultural and Intellectual Interactions Mathematics flourishedMathematics flourished

They are called Arabic numbers by they really came from IndiaThey are called Arabic numbers by they really came from India Algebra and other geometric principles (360 degree circle) came Algebra and other geometric principles (360 degree circle) came

from India to the Westfrom India to the West Navigational tools/astronomical chartsNavigational tools/astronomical charts Medicine Medicine

Indian doctors (IMAGINE THAT!) came to heal wounded Arab Indian doctors (IMAGINE THAT!) came to heal wounded Arab soldiers in the Umayyad and Abbasid courts that Greek doctors soldiers in the Umayyad and Abbasid courts that Greek doctors pronounced were beyond helppronounced were beyond help

Music (ooh boy the Sitar!)Music (ooh boy the Sitar!) ChessChess Adaptations of clothing/foods and elephant ridingAdaptations of clothing/foods and elephant riding Architectural designs sharedArchitectural designs shared

The Second Wave: From The Second Wave: From “Booty to Empire”“Booty to Empire”

For a long period, Muslims added very little territory in For a long period, Muslims added very little territory in India, meaning they did not directly control itIndia, meaning they did not directly control it Even Sind began to slip out of the hands of Muslim rulersEven Sind began to slip out of the hands of Muslim rulers

The decline of the Abbasids gave rise to the TurksThe decline of the Abbasids gave rise to the Turks The 3The 3rdrd Turkish ruler, Mahmud of Ghazni, led expeditions into Turkish ruler, Mahmud of Ghazni, led expeditions into

India, drawn by stories of magnificent wealth…he defeated on India, drawn by stories of magnificent wealth…he defeated on rajah after anotherrajah after another

These raids continued well into the 1200sThese raids continued well into the 1200s A Sultanate was established in DelhiA Sultanate was established in Delhi

Completely self-sufficient from other Muslim EmpiresCompletely self-sufficient from other Muslim Empires Ruled the subcontinent continuously for 300 yearsRuled the subcontinent continuously for 300 years Fought off constant invasions from Mongols and other Turks Fought off constant invasions from Mongols and other Turks

as well as other Indian rajahsas well as other Indian rajahs

Conversions and Conversions and AccommodationsAccommodations

Again, few Indians were converted forcibly into Again, few Indians were converted forcibly into MuslimsMuslims Most conversions were won by faith alone, spread by Most conversions were won by faith alone, spread by

merchants and by Sufi mysticsmerchants and by Sufi mystics Sufis shared an aura of magic and healing powersSufis shared an aura of magic and healing powers They established schools, arranged protection for their villages They established schools, arranged protection for their villages

and even welcomed low caste and outcaste individualsand even welcomed low caste and outcaste individuals

Most converts came from areas in Western India or in Most converts came from areas in Western India or in BengalBengal

Buddhists, low caste and untouchables made up the Buddhists, low caste and untouchables made up the largest numbers of Hindus who convertedlargest numbers of Hindus who converted

Another force for conversion was to avoid the tax Another force for conversion was to avoid the tax Muslims placed on non-MuslimsMuslims placed on non-Muslims

Conversions and Conversions and AccommodationsAccommodations

High caste Hindus felt threatened by the Muslim faithHigh caste Hindus felt threatened by the Muslim faith Many still took power roles under Muslim rule, despite Many still took power roles under Muslim rule, despite

separate living habits, unfriendly relations and separate living habits, unfriendly relations and restricted sexual interactionsrestricted sexual interactions

Hindus were convinced that eventually their Muslim Hindus were convinced that eventually their Muslim invaders would become absorbedinvaders would become absorbed Hindus were in great number in Muslim bureaucracies, made Hindus were in great number in Muslim bureaucracies, made

up most of the army, Muslim rulers even adopted local ruling up most of the army, Muslim rulers even adopted local ruling styles and practices (divinity, Hindu imagery)styles and practices (divinity, Hindu imagery)

Most importantly, Muslims begin to divide into castesMost importantly, Muslims begin to divide into castes Negative consequences (mostly for women)Negative consequences (mostly for women)

Marrying young girls and many girls (polygamy)Marrying young girls and many girls (polygamy) High caste widows and satiHigh caste widows and sati

Islamic Challenge/Hindu Islamic Challenge/Hindu RevivalRevival

As a consequence to Islamic intrusion on their As a consequence to Islamic intrusion on their faith, many Hindus resorted to practicing cult faith, many Hindus resorted to practicing cult worship of specific gods and goddesses (Think worship of specific gods and goddesses (Think Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom)Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom)

Bhaktic cults were open to all Hindus, even the Bhaktic cults were open to all Hindus, even the low castes and even had saints who were low low castes and even had saints who were low caste memberscaste members

The most widely worshiped gods and The most widely worshiped gods and goddesses were Shiva, Vishnu and Kaligoddesses were Shiva, Vishnu and Kali

These ritualistic cults helped rebuff further These ritualistic cults helped rebuff further conversion of lower caste Hindus to Islamconversion of lower caste Hindus to Islam

The Stand OffThe Stand Off

Tensions soon mounted into conflictsTensions soon mounted into conflicts Hindu Brahmans began denouncing “Muslims as Hindu Brahmans began denouncing “Muslims as

infidel destroyers of Hindu temples and polluted infidel destroyers of Hindu temples and polluted meats eaters”meats eaters”

Began to convince converts to revert back to the Began to convince converts to revert back to the Hindu faithHindu faith

Muslim religious leaders began to see the Muslim religious leaders began to see the fusion of both faiths as impossible (Sikhs)fusion of both faiths as impossible (Sikhs) The main focus became keeping the converts they The main focus became keeping the converts they

already had within the faithalready had within the faith Conversions came to a halt and Muslims Conversions came to a halt and Muslims

remained to be dominate in Indus Valley remained to be dominate in Indus Valley regions and the Ganges delta (important!)regions and the Ganges delta (important!)

Islam in SE AsiaIslam in SE Asia

IMPORTANT – Indonesia is the world’s largest Islamic IMPORTANT – Indonesia is the world’s largest Islamic nation (population wise)…how?nation (population wise)…how? Muslim traders continued sailing the seas and reached the Muslim traders continued sailing the seas and reached the

islands of SE Asia by the 8islands of SE Asia by the 8thth century century Trade goods, which would later fuel the explorations of Trade goods, which would later fuel the explorations of

European powers, such as spices and woods, became European powers, such as spices and woods, became crucial to the Muslim trading empirecrucial to the Muslim trading empire

Muslim came to dominate trading ports on Sumatra Muslim came to dominate trading ports on Sumatra after the collapse of the Shrivijaya Empireafter the collapse of the Shrivijaya Empire This made conversion efforts easy and many peoples This made conversion efforts easy and many peoples

converted to the Muslim faith as trade ports became the converted to the Muslim faith as trade ports became the diffusing centers of the faithdiffusing centers of the faith

Islam in SE AsiaIslam in SE Asia

Islam spread to many other Indonesia Islam spread to many other Indonesia islands…but met resistance on Java and islands…but met resistance on Java and Bali and in mainland SE Asia, where Bali and in mainland SE Asia, where Hindu-Buddhist dynasties rejected its Hindu-Buddhist dynasties rejected its spreadspread

The Sufis again get credit for most of the The Sufis again get credit for most of the spread for similar reasons (previously spread for similar reasons (previously discussed)discussed)

This Week…This Week… Tuesday: Change AnalysisTuesday: Change Analysis Wednesday: I/O on Religion (see Wednesday: I/O on Religion (see

next slide)next slide) Thursday: Document AnalysisThursday: Document Analysis Friday: C7 TEST Friday: C7 TEST

C7 NOTES DUEC7 NOTES DUE OUR 1st MP will conclude with OUR 1st MP will conclude with

Friday’s test and chapter notesFriday’s test and chapter notes

I/O: Conversion and I/O: Conversion and Accommodation in the Spread Accommodation in the Spread

of World Religionsof World Religions Pg. 166-167Pg. 166-167 Remember, answering the “questions” at Remember, answering the “questions” at

the end of the box helps the end of the box helps Discussion should center around the Discussion should center around the

methods that Islam used to convert methods that Islam used to convert followers versus those that were used by followers versus those that were used by other major world religionsother major world religions

Going back to previous chapters to read Going back to previous chapters to read up on those methods would be helpful!up on those methods would be helpful!