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| Umayyad Caliphate ٱلْخِلَافَة ٱلْأُمَوِيَّة | |
|---|---|
| 661–750 | |
 The Umayyad Caliphate in 750 | |
| Capital | Damascus |
| Religion | Islam |
| Dominant mode of production | Feudalism |
| Government | Monarchy |
| Area | |
• Total | 11,100,000 km²(720) |
The Umayyad Caliphate was the second Islamic caliphate. Mu'awiya, the cousin of the previous caliph Uthman, founded the caliphate in 661 following the overthrow of the caliph Ali in a civil war. It remained in power for roughly a century and developed advanced agriculture, urban crafts, banking, and culture.[1]
Economy
The Umayyads had a small ruling class that represented the original Arab warrior aristocracy who fought with Muhammad. They did not have to pay taxes and relied on tribute and war loot. They built palaces and spent lavishly on luxury goods and architecture.
Because Muslims were initially exempt from taxation, the state designated new converts as mawali and barred them from social advancement.[1]
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Abu al-Abbas, a descendant of Muhammad, built an underground resistance movement and became the leader of various dissident groups. He launched a revolution against the Umayyads and founded the Abbasid Caliphate in 750.[1]