The Rashidun Caliphate (632–661 CE): (EMW)

●​ First four caliphs: Abu Bakr, Umar, Uthman, Ali. Called "Rightly Guided.
●​ Expand fast, defeat Byzantines and Persians, even if outnumbered. Success bcz
enemies weak & religious unity
●​ Christians and Jews can practice faith but paid jizya aka tax
●​ Political tensions → Ali’s assassinated = end Rashidun era in 661 CE

The Umayyad Dynasty (661-750 CE): (EMW)

●​ Power 661 CE under Muawiya, move capital to Damascus
●​ Expand empire Spain to India; strong central rule under Arab elites
●​ Non-Arab Muslims (mawali) discriminated
●​ Overthrown 750 CE by Abbasids, who promised more equality

Sunnis (c. 600s CE–present): (EMW)

●​ Majority muslim sect, believed caliphs chosen by ppl
●​ Want Abu Bakr as the first caliph
●​ Established tradition (Sunna) instead of family bloodline

Shias (c. 600s CE–present): (EMW)

●​ Want Muhammad descendants should rule
●​ Want Ali and his sons Hasan & Husayn as leaders
●​ Persecuted under Umayyads and later dynasties

Abbasid Dynasty (750-1258 CE): (AIC)

●​ Focused on culture, learning, & arts
●​ Capital: Baghdad, center of knowledge, trade
●​ Golden Age of Islam: major advancements in science, math, medicine, literature, and
philosophy
●​ Decline begins in 9th century, Mongol invasion ends dynasty in 1258 CE

Golden Age of Islam (700s–1200s CE): (AIC)

●​ Period of intellectual, cultural, and scientific flourishing
●​ Major advancements:
○​ Astronomy: Al-Khwarizmi, Ibn al-Haytham
○​ Math: Algebra, Arabic numerals, trigonometry
○​ Medicine: Ibn Sina’s Canon of Medicine
○​ Literature: Poets like Rumi, writers like Al-Jahiz
●​ Major trade routes connecting the Islamic world to Europe, Africa, and Asia
●​ Key centers of learning: Baghdad, Cordoba, Cairo
Ibn Battuta (1304–1369 CE): (AIC)
●​ Moroccan traveler, visited 44 countries in 30 years
●​ Traveled through Africa, Asia, and Europe
●​ Wrote Rihla (The Journey), detailing travels and observations
●​ Notable for his account of Muslim practices and cultures across the Islamic world

Decorative Arts (Islamic period, c. 700s CE–present): (AIC)

●​ Islamic art focuses on geometric patterns, arabesques, and calligraphy, avoiding human
figures
●​ Architecture: mosques, palaces, and public buildings, such as the Alhambra in Spain
and the Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem
●​ Crafts: intricate gold, silver, ivory work; ceramics with detailed patterns
●​ Calligraphy: elevated as an art form, especially in Qur’an manuscripts

One Thousand and One Nights (c. 800s–1300s CE): (AIC)

●​ Collection of Middle Eastern folktales, compiled during the Islamic Golden Age
●​ Also known as Arabian Nights
●​ Stories like Aladdin, Ali Baba, Sinbad
●​ Themes of adventure, romance, fate, and morality
●​ Influence on global literature, arts, and pop culture

Ibn Khaldun (1332–1406 CE): (AIC)

●​ Historian, philosopher, sociologist from Tunisia
●​ Author of Muqaddimah (1377), an introduction to history, considered pioneering work in
sociology and historiography
●​ Theorized about the rise and fall of civilizations, social, economic, and environmental
factors
●​ Argued that dynasties rise due to strong social cohesion but fall due to internal decay
and corruption

Gupta Empire (c. 320-550 CE): (MI)

●​ Founded by Chandragupta I (c. 320 CE), peaked under Chandragupta II (c. 380-415
CE).
●​ Golden Age of India: advancements in science, math, astronomy, and art.
●​ Created decimal system, concept of zero, and pi approximation.
●​ Decline began with Hun invasions (c. 550 CE), weakening empire, and division into
smaller kingdoms.

Hinduism (c. 1500 BCE - present): (MI)

●​ Based on Vedas, ancient scriptures (c. 1500 BCE).
 ●​ Belief in karma (actions) and dharma (duty) shaping one's future.
●​ Moksha: ultimate liberation from cycle of rebirth.
●​ Key gods: Brahma (creator), Vishnu (preserver), Shiva (destroyer).
●​ Caste system: social hierarchy based on birth.

Bhakti (c. 600s - present): (MI)

●​ Started around 7th century CE in southern India.
●​ Focused on devotion to a personal god, emphasizing love and simplicity over ritual.
●​ Prominent figures: Ramanuja, Kabir, Mirabai.
●​ Spread throughout India, influencing later religious and social reforms.

Buddhism (c. 5th century BCE - present): (MI)

●​ Founded by Siddhartha Gautama (Buddha) in 5th century BCE, after his enlightenment.
●​ Four Noble Truths: life is suffering, suffering is caused by desire, suffering can end,
follow the Eightfold Path.
●​ Split into two branches: Theravada (traditional) and Mahayana (greater vehicle, with
Bodhisattvas).
●​ Spread across Asia, with strong roots in Southeast and East Asia.

Bodhisattvas (c. 5th century BCE - present): (MI)

●​ In Mahayana Buddhism, enlightened beings who delay their entry into Nirvana to help
others achieve enlightenment.
●​ Seen as compassionate figures, central to Mahayana practice.
●​ Revered for their wisdom and empathy in guiding others along the path.

Akbar (r. 1556-1605 CE): (MI)

●​ Ruled 1556-1605 CE, greatest Mughal emperor.
●​ Known for religious tolerance, promoting dialogue between Hindus and Muslims.
●​ Created a centralized bureaucracy and promoted arts and culture.
●​ Military expansion: integrated large portions of India under Mughal control.
●​ Issued reforms like abolishing jizya (tax on non-Muslims) to foster unity.

Mughal Empire (1526-1857 CE): (MI)

●​ Founded in 1526 by Babur, peak under Akbar (1556-1605 CE), and later rulers like Shah
Jahan and Aurangzeb.
●​ Expansion across northern and central India, established a powerful, centralized state.
●​ Cultural achievements: Taj Mahal (Shah Jahan), Mughal painting, and architecture.
●​ Decline began after Aurangzeb's death in 1707, weakening control and internal conflicts,
followed by British colonial takeover in 1857.
Guiding Questions:
​ EMW
1.​ Why was the Muslim Empire able to expand so rapidly?
a.​ Since the Byzantine and Persian empires were weakened by constant
warfare and the plague, the Muslim Caliphates were able to swoop in and
take control. Conquered areas were allowed to remain Jewish or
Christian, reducing revolt. Additionally, the Caliphate's expertise in
warfare helped them advance, even while outnumbered.
2.​ How did Islam develop and change after the death of Muhammad?
a.​ After Muhammad's death, there was a succession crisis between Sunnis
and Shias. The Caliphate expanded under different leaders, but Muawiya
made the position of Caliph more secular. He also started the Umayyad
dynasty, which further shifted Islam into a more political system.
3.​ How did Islam spread to multiple cultures and diverse empires?
a.​ Islam spread through military conquest, trade routes, and cultural
exchange. This allowed the religion to adapt and integrate with various
regions, including the Byzantine, Persian, and North African empires.
​ AIC
1.​ What impact did trade and growth of cities have on Islamic Civilization?
a.​ Trade and growing cities played a significant role in spreading ideas,
fostering economic growth, and advancing intellectual pursuits. This
contributed to the development of scientific discoveries, mathematics, and
literature during the Islamic Golden Age.
2.​ What are the main characteristics of Muslim arts and literature?
a.​ Muslim art is known for four types: calligraphy, geometric patterns,
vegetal designs, and figural representations. Art and literature were
heavily influenced by religion, with works like Rumi’s poetry focusing on
life and spirituality.
3.​ How did Muslim Rulers encourage learning, science, and mathematics?
a.​ Muslim rulers supported the development of learning and scientific
progress by establishing institutions like the House of Wisdom. Scholars
made advancements in astronomy, medicine, mathematics, and more
during the Golden Age.
​ MI
1.​ During Gupta Rule, how did India make advances in the arts, science, and
mathematics including our modern system of numerals?
a.​ India made significant advancements in science, particularly in
mathematics with the creation of the decimal system using zero. The
Gupta Empire was also known for creating intricate sculptures and
paintings of deities. Doctors were highly skilled, especially in surgery, and
the empire had some of the first universities, including medical
universities.
2.​ How did the religions of Hinduism and Buddhism spread and change over time?
 a.​ Hinduism and Buddhism spread north through trade routes, with poetry
and the Bhakti movement playing key roles in spreading religious ideas.
Buddhism also split into Mahayana and Theravada schools, while
Hinduism evolved with regional variations.
3.​ How did the Muslim expansion lead to a new Indian empire and the rise of
Sikhism?
a.​ The Muslim expansion led to the rise of the Mughal Empire, which
brought new practices, including Islam. Sikhism emerged as a distinct
religion inspired by Hindu and Muslim beliefs. Sikhs opposed the
Mughals, and after the death of the 9th Guru, Guru Gobind Singh
militarized the community, turning them into the Khalsa.