Dynastic Eras in the Kairawan Corpus
Kairawan's date-range filter offers eight dynastic preset chips that span the major political formations of the Arabic-script manuscript world. The summaries below describe what each era was, when it ran, and where its court sat.
Omeya
661–750 CE
Established by Muʿawiya in 661 after the First Fitna, with its capital at Damascus. The first Islamic dynasty; presided over the rapid expansion of the Caliphate from North Africa to al-Andalus and east into Central Asia. Overthrown by the Abbasid revolution in 750; a branch survived in al-Andalus and later became the Caliphate of Córdoba.
Abasí
750–1258 CE
Took the caliphate from the Umayyads by revolution and moved the capital from Damascus to Baghdad. Presided over what is conventionally called the Islamic Golden Age, with major investment in translation, astronomy, medicine, and law. Effective political authority fragmented after the 10th century as regional dynasties rose; the line ended when the Mongols sacked Baghdad in 1258.
Fatimí
909–1171 CE
An Ismaili Shiʿa caliphate that began in Ifriqiya (modern Tunisia) in 909 and conquered Egypt in 969, founding Cairo as its capital and establishing al-Azhar. At its peak held North Africa, Egypt, the Levant, and parts of the Hejaz. Dissolved by Saladin in 1171.
Ayubí
1171–1260 CE
Founded by Saladin after he ended the Fatimid caliphate; a Sunni Kurdish dynasty centered on Cairo and Damascus. Best known for the recapture of Jerusalem from the Crusaders in 1187. Succession disputes after the death of al-Salih in 1249 opened the way for the Mamluk takeover.
Mameluco
1250–1517 CE
A sultanate of former slave soldiers (mamālīk) based in Cairo. Defeated the Mongol advance at ʿAyn Jālūt in 1260, ending Mongol westward expansion. Patronised monumental architecture and luxury manuscript production in Cairo and Damascus until conquered by the Ottomans in 1517.
Otomano
1299–1923 CE
An Anatolian Turkish dynasty that grew from a frontier principality into one of the longest-lasting empires in world history. Captured Constantinople in 1453; at its peak controlled the Balkans, Anatolia, the Arab Middle East, and parts of North Africa. Dissolved after the First World War; the Republic of Turkey was proclaimed in 1923.
Safávida
1501–1736 CE
Established Twelver Shiʿa Islam as the state religion of Iran, the decisive sectarian division of the eastern Islamic world. Capital at Tabriz, then Qazvin, then Isfahan. Patronised Persian miniature painting, carpet weaving, and major mosque architecture. Collapsed under Afghan invasion in 1722; nominal rule continued until 1736.
Mogol
1526–1857 CE
Founded in India by Babur, a descendant of Timur. Combined a Persianate court culture with Indic forms; built the Taj Mahal, the Red Fort, and many other monuments. Akbar's policy of religious accommodation gave way to greater orthodoxy under later rulers; the dynasty declined steadily through the 18th century and formally ended in 1857 after the failed Indian Rebellion.