Umayyads of the East

Syria, Asia Minor, Egypt, North Africa, Iraq, Iran, Central Asia, Iberian Peninsula

Founded in AH 41 / AD 661 by Mu'awiya ibn Abi Sufyan of the Bani Umayya family, the Umayyad dynasty was the first Islamic dynasty after the death of the Prophet Muhammad and the caliphs who succeeded him in 11 / 632. The most important Umayyad caliphs were Mu'awiya (41–60 / 661–80), 'Abd al-Malik (65–86 / 685–705) and Hisham (105–25 / 724–43). Under al-Walid I (86–96 / 705–15), military conquests reached as far as Spain and central Europe, while in the east the Umayyad kingdom extended to Transoxania and northern India. In 132 / 750, the Umayyad dynasty was overthrown by the Abbasids.
During the Umayyad caliphate, many failed attacks were launched against Constantinople and the Byzantine Empire. In Spain, the Visigoths were defeated in 92 / 711, but the Muslim advance in central Europe was halted in 114 / 732 by Charles Martel at the Battle of Poitiers.
The Umayyad dynasty introduced the idea of hereditary rulership in Islam and contributed many eminent figures to the caliphate from its family ranks.
With the arrival of the Umayyads, the centre of political power in Islam shifted from Madina in the Arabian Peninsula to Syria, with Damascus becoming the new capital of the caliphate. This change had both political and cultural repercussions.
Borrowing administrative practices from both the Byzantines and the Sassanids, the Umayyad caliphs became talented rulers, capable of controlling the first Islamic empire, which spread over a wide area thanks to its military successes.
Social tensions quickly became apparent among non-Arab converts who, contrary to the teaching of Islam, did not enjoy the same rights as Arab Muslims. Rebellions in southern Jordan, Iraq and eastern Iran led to the gradual collapse of the dynasty.
The Umayyads were energetic builders; their architects, artists and craftsmen were responsible for the towns, palaces, mosques and works of art that today symbolise the rich history of the early years of Islam.