Discuss the factors that led to the fall of the Abassid dynasty

(b) Discuss the factors that led to the fall of the Abassid dynasty  (10marks)

Factors that led to the fall of the Abbasid dynasty.

1. Moral degeneration due to the extravagant life style of the ruling class who concentrated on pomp and ceremony to the expense of solving the problems of the state.
2. Weak leadership by the Caliphs. The Caliphs could rule the empire efficiently and effectively.
3. Dissatisfaction by the provincial governors in response to the appointment of the Turkish guards to take care of the royal security.
4. Discontent by the Arabs and the Persian soldiers who felt sidelined.
5. Some provincial governors led revolts against the Caliph.
6. Racial discord between Arabs and non-Arabs and religious conflicts between Muslims and Non-Muslims undermined unity and peace in the Caliphate.
7. Decline in the military power as the army had been neglected at the expense of cultural affairs.
8. Economic unrest due to heavy taxes and other levies on the population.
9. Later Abbasid rulers invested enormous powers on the provincial governors and this led to the decentralization of the power. Some provincial governors declared their own autonomy/independence.
10. Emergency of Muslim sects such as Shiites, Qarmathians etc. undermined the unity of the Muslim ummah.
11. Invasion by the Christians who captured Jerusalem and devastated parts of Caliphate.
12. Invasion by the tartars.
13. Invasion by the Mongols led by Halaku Khan who killed the Caliph and destroyed Baghdad in 1258 AD. Thus giving final blow to the Abbasid dynasty.
14. Frequent outbreak of epidemics like plagues weakened the dynasty.
15. Vastness of the empire. The empire had become too large for effective communication.
16. Famine due to depletion of man power which left many lands uncultivated.

( 10 x 1 = 10 marks )  

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