The Appearance of the Turkish Race in Early Islamic Society and Their Impact on the Caliphate Itself

Abstract

Muslims historians and geographers mention that the homeland of the Turks was Transoxania (Ma-Wara al- Nahr) Oxus river. During the beginning of the Islamic conquests, Turks fell into captivity and were taken back and sold as slaves in Damascus and Baghdad. Itakh who was a great military leader during the reign of the Caliph Mutasim, Wathiq and Mutawakkil had been a Turkish slave. The Caliphs, statesmen and rich men were married Turkish women, thus helping to bring about the integration of the Turks into Islamic Society. The Caliphs began to recruit the Turks into the Islamic army alongside the veteran Arabs and Iranians. During the reign of the Caliph Mutasim, Turks rose to positions of even greater importance. So, the number of Turks increased, therefore, the Caliph decided to build a new city called Samarra (30 km North Baghdad). This element was later to gain power and it became the cause of the downfall of the Caliphate itself.

Presenters

Salah Al-Haideri
Professor, Medieval History, Soran University Retired, Iraq

Details

Presentation Type

Paper Presentation in a Themed Session

Theme

Critical Cultural Studies

KEYWORDS

THE INFLUENCE OF THE TRUCKS