Abásida

Abásida refers to the Abbasid Caliphate, the dynasty that ruled a large Islamic empire from 750 to 1258 CE, and later continued as a titular caliphate in Cairo until 1517. The Abbasids, named after al-Abbas ibn Abd al-Muttalib, overthrew the Umayyad dynasty and established their capital at Baghdad, which was founded in 762 under the caliph al-Mansur. The early Abbasids emphasized a cosmopolitan administration drawing on Persian, Arab, and Mesopotamian influences, and they pursued a cultural and scientific flourishing that became known as the Islamic Golden Age.

Governance and culture: The Abbasid era saw expansion and consolidation across a vast territory that included much of the Middle East, parts of North Africa, and Central Asia. The administration relied on a sophisticated bureaucracy, with Persian-influenced practices, viziers, and an extensive network for tax collection and communication. Baghdad became a major center of learning, trade, and culture, hosting institutions such as the House of Wisdom. Scientific and philosophical work flourished; scholars translated and built on Greek, Indian, and Persian sources. Notable figures in mathematics, astronomy, medicine, and philosophy emerged, including al-Khwarizmi, Al-Razi, and Ibn Sina.

Decline and legacy: From the 9th century onward, central power weakened as provincial dynasties gained influence and external pressures mounted. The Buyids and later the Seljuks exercised real authority over Baghdad, while the Abbasid caliphs in Cairo (1261–1517) served as symbolic leaders after the Mongol sack of Baghdad in 1258. The Abbasid legacy includes a lasting impact on Islamic governance, science, and culture, and their model of a diverse, court-centered empire influenced later developments in both the Islamic world and Europe.