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My first interest in Baghdad started from hearing about it in some song. I don't remember the song itself but its lyrics talked about the popularity of Baghdad. At that time I found it interesting but I did not look further into it until recently. I briefly studied the history of Baghdad and in this blog I will be sharing it with you.
Where is Baghdad?
Baghdad is the capital city of Iraq. It is located near the Tigris (The two great rivers). The city was founded in the 8th century. It soon became the largest city in the world at that time because of its ideal geographical location and even in the present time it is one of the largest cities in the Arab League.
Baytul-Hikmah (The House Of Wisdom)
Baytul-Hikmah was a library in Baghdad. In the mid-eight century a translation movement was started in Baghdad. Scholars were paid high salary to translate work from different languages such as Greek, Persian and Chinese into Arabic. For the translation movement the government invested twice the annual budget of the Medical Research Council of United Kingdom in the present time. Baghdad became the center of learning and The House of Wisdom was the largest library in the world.
Arabic was used as international language during the Islamic Golden Age (From the 8th century to 14th centenary Islamic civilization and scientific knowledge was on its peak). However, Persians, Jews, Christians and other ethnic and religious group also participated in the translation movement. Baghdad became the center of learning for Science, Philosophy, Mathematics, Medicine and Education as well as the religious learning. Successors of Umayyad in Baghdad were the first one to foster Greek learning on a larger scale.
Collapse of Baghdad
Baghdad was first captured by the Mongols (An East Asian Ethnic group from Mongolia). The Mongols looted and destroyed most of the city. It was also the end of the Islamic Golden Age as the Islamic Civilization never fully recovered after that. The city was later captured by the Ottoman Turks. Baghdad had population of about 1.2 million to 2 million at that time. It greatly suffered from the plague and cholera. Two third if its population was wiped out.
During the 20th century it was captured again by the British. After Iraq received its independence from the British, Baghdad started to grow again. However, during Iran-Iraq war under Saddam Hussein's regime the city greatly suffered again.
In 2003 because of United States invasion of Iraq, Baghdad suffered along with rest of the country. Due to the frequent attacks, it lost great cultural heritage. Thousands of ancient manuscripts were destroyed under the orders of Saddam Hussein.
Some of the popular sights
Muntanabbi Street
The street is named after an Iraqi poet Al-Muntannabi. It is filled with bookstores and outdoor book stalls and its home to the Baghdad's intellectual community.
Al-Shaheed Monument
Al-Shaheed Monument (The Marty's Memorial) is dedicated to the Iraqi soldiers who lost their lives during the Iran-Iraq war. However the Iraqis dedicate it to all of the Iraqi soldiers who have lost their lives for the country.
Qushla
Qushla is a Public Square. The entire square is submitted to World Heritage Site for protection because of its historic and cultural features.
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