Area of Umayyad Caliphate
At its zenith, around 750 CE, the Umayyad Caliphate was one of the largest empires in history, covering over 11 million square kilometers (about 4.3 million square miles). It stretched from the Iberian Peninsula in the west to the Indus River valley in the east, encompassing large portions of the Mediterranean, the Middle East, North Africa, the Caucasus, and parts of the Indian subcontinent. This vast expanse made it one of the most significant political and cultural entities of the early medieval period, facilitating extensive trade, cultural exchange, and the spread of Islam.
Umayyad Caliphate (661-750 CE)
Muawiyah I established the Umayyad Caliphate in 661 CE after defeating Ali ibn Abi Talib. It became the first hereditary dynasty in Islamic history, with power passed down through the Umayyad family.
Umayyad Caliphate played a role in the codification of Islamic law and the development of Islamic scholarship. Damascus, Syria, served as the capital, a strategic location at the crossroads of trade routes. The Umayyads significantly expanded the Islamic empire, reaching North Africa, Spain (known as Al-Andalus), and Central Asia.
Table of Content
- About Umayyad Caliphate
- Umayyad Caliphate – Overview
- The Umayyad Caliphate – History
- Historical Events Timeline During Umayyad Caliphate
- Umayyad Caliphate – Achievements
- Fall of the Umayyad Caliphate
- Interesting Facts about the Umayyad Caliphate