The city was founded in 762 CE by the Abbasid Caliphate, a Muslim dynasty that had recently come to power in the region. It was named after the caliph’s father, Al-Mansur, and was intended to be a new capital for the empire. Al-Mansur chose the site for its strategic location, as it was close to the Tigris River and was surrounded by fertile land. He also wanted to create a city that would be a center of Islamic culture and learning.
Baghdad quickly grew into one of the most important cities in the world. It was the center of the Abbasid Caliphate and was the largest city in the world at the time. It was also a major trading center, with merchants from all over the world coming to buy and sell goods. The city was renowned for its universities, libraries, and public baths, and it became a center of learning and scholarship.
In 1258, Baghdad was sacked by the Mongols under Hulagu Khan. The city was destroyed and much of its population was killed. It took many years for the city to recover from the destruction, but eventually it began to rebuild. During the Ottoman Empire, Baghdad was an important center of trade and culture. It was also a major center of the Islamic faith, and in the early 20th century it became a center of Arab nationalism.
After World War I, Iraq gained its independence and Baghdad became its capital. During the 1950s and 1960s, the city experienced a period of rapid growth and modernization. This was followed by decades of economic decline and political turmoil, as Iraq was swept up in the region’s conflicts. In 2003, the city was occupied by US-led forces and Saddam Hussein was deposed. Since then, Baghdad has been struggling to rebuild itself and to regain its status as a major cultural and political center.
Today, Baghdad is a bustling city of more than 8 million people. It is the largest city in Iraq and is the country’s economic and cultural hub. Despite its turbulent past, Baghdad has a rich history and culture that is still evident in its architecture, monuments, and museums. It is an important center of Islamic culture and learning, and it is home to some of the world’s most famous landmarks, such as the Great Mosque of Samarra and the ancient city of Babylon.