ISLAMIC CIVILIZATIONISLAMIC CIVILIZATION

Political Changes from the 800s Political Changes from the 800s to 1000s ceto 1000s ce

Political FragmentationPolitical Fragmentation• Starting in the 700s, different Islamic groups

separated from the Abbasid caliphate and established independent dynasties.

Forces that led to the decline of the Forces that led to the decline of the Abbasid caliphateAbbasid caliphate

• Imperial extravagance

• Political divisions – Shi’ite revolts, court factions

• Problems with succession led to civil wars

• Slave mercenary armies became a political force.

• Eventually one of the “splinter groups” – the Buyids – invaded Baghdad.

• Further disintegration of political control continued as the Seljuks took over.

CONTINUITIES?CONTINUITIES?

• Even though the political structure was falling apart, what would have remained constant?

• Meanwhile . . . Islamic groups expanded into South Asia

Central & S. Asia

• AND . . . European armies attempted to retake control of the “holy lands”. THE CRUSADES