The Umayyad Dynasty (661-750 CE), the first dynasty to take the title of Caliphate, was established in 661 CE by Muawiya (l. c. 602-680 CE), who had served as the governor of Syria under the Rashidun Caliphate, after the death of the fourth caliph, Ali in 661 CE. The Umayyads ruled effectively and firmly established the political authority of the Caliphate, rebellions were crushed with brute force, and no quarter was given to those who stirred uprisings.
More about: Umayyad DynastyDefinition
Timeline
-
656 - 661The murder of Caliph Uthman causes the eruption of the First Fitna (civil war). Muawiya surfaces as a major opposer of the Rashidun Caliphate.
-
661 - 750The Umayyad Dynasty rules the Islamic empire.
-
661Muawiya, the governor of Syria, establishes the Umayyad Dynasty.
-
680 - 692The Second Fitna (second Islamic civil war).
-
680Husayn's death marks the start of the second civil war of Islamic history (Second Fitna).
-
Oct 680Husayn ibn Ali, Shia Islam's third imam, is beheaded by Yazid I's force at the Battle of Karbala in present-day Iraq.
-
685Al-Mukhtar starts his revolt; he joins hands withe Abdullah ibn Zubayr.
-
687Al-Mukhtar has a falling out with Abdullah, owing to his support to the Alid faction - he is killed by Zubayrid forces.
-
711 - 714Conquest of most of Spain by the Umayyad Dynasty.
-
712Military conquests as far as the Beas river in parts of modern-day Pakistan by the Umayyad forces - under Muhammad ibn Qasim.
-
713Successful annexation of modern-day Transoxiana by Qutayba ibn Muslim.
-
715Sulayman rises to power; expansion of the Umayyad Caliphate is halted.
-
717 - 718An unsuccessful attempt to take over Constantinople; after Sulayman's death, his successor Umar II calls back the forces.
-
743 - 747The Third Fitna (civil war of the Islamic empire): Marwan II emerges as the victor.
-
750Fall of the Umayyad Caliphate.
-
750Start of the Abbasid Caliphate.
-
756Abd al-Rahman I establishes the Emirate of Cordoba.
-
756 - 788Reign of Abd al-Rahman I over the Emirate of Cordoba.
