MCQ Detailed View

The city of Baghdad, renowned for its rich Islamic heritage and history, was established as the capital of the Abbasid Dynasty by the second Abbasid Caliph, Al-Mansoor (reigned 754–775 CE). Before Baghdad, the Abbasids operated from Kufa and other cities, but Al-Mansoor decided to build a new capital that would symbolize the power and unity of the Abbasid Caliphate.

Construction of Baghdad began in 762 CE on the banks of the Tigris River. The city was designed in a unique circular shape, earning it the nickname “Madinat al-Salam” (City of Peace). This innovative design included grand palaces, administrative buildings, mosques, and markets. Baghdad’s location was strategically chosen for its access to major trade routes and fertile lands.

Under Al-Mansoor’s reign, Baghdad quickly became a flourishing political, cultural, and intellectual hub of the Muslim world. It attracted scholars, poets, scientists, and artists from across the Islamic empire and beyond. The city later gave rise to the famous House of Wisdom (Bayt al-Hikmah), a center for translation and scholarship that played a vital role in preserving and expanding knowledge in fields such as astronomy, medicine, mathematics, and philosophy.

Baghdad’s establishment as the Abbasid capital marked a golden era of Islamic civilization, influencing the development of arts, science, and governance. The city remained the heart of the Abbasid Caliphate for centuries, symbolizing the unity and intellectual achievements of the Muslim world.

Key Facts:

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  Founded in 762 CE by Caliph Al-Mansoor

  
  


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  Designed as a circular city, called Madinat al-Salam

  
  


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  Became a global center for learning and culture

  
  


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  Location chosen for strategic trade and fertile land access

  
  


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  Predecessor cities: Kufa and Harran

  
  

The founding of Baghdad laid the foundation for an era of enlightenment that greatly impacted not only the Islamic world but also global civilization.