Musslims World Expansion

Rise of the Mughal Empire in India

1900 BCE

The Mughal Empire in India began in 1526 with Babur's victory at the Battle of Panipat. It reached its height under rulers like Akbar, shaping the region's history and culture until the mid-19th century.

Reconquista ends Muslim rule in Spain

1492 BCE

The Reconquista refers to the series of Christian campaigns that gradually reclaimed the Iberian Peninsula from Muslim rule. It concluded in 1492 when the Catholic Monarchs, Ferdinand II of Aragon and Isabella I of Castile, captured Granada, the last Muslim stronghold in Spain. This marked the end of Muslim rule in the region and completed the Reconquista, uniting Spain under Christian rule and symbolizing the end of eight centuries of Islamic influence on the Iberian Peninsula.

Ottomans capture Constantinople

1453 BCE

In 1453, Sultan Mehmed II led the Ottoman Empire to capture Constantinople, ending the Byzantine Empire. This historic event reshaped the region's power dynamics and marked a transition from the medieval to the early modern era.

Ottoman Empire founded by Osman I

1299 BCE

Osman I founded the Ottoman Empire in Anatolia in the late 13th century. It expanded under leaders like Mehmed the Conqueror and Suleiman the Magnificent, becoming a major global power, lasting until the early 20th century.

Mongols sack Baghdad

1258 BCE

In 1258, the Mongols, led by Hulagu Khan, sacked Baghdad, the capital of the Abbasid Caliphate. The invasion resulted in widespread destruction, marking the end of the Islamic Golden Age. The House of Wisdom, a renowned center of learning, was destroyed, and the caliphate's political and cultural influence significantly declined. The event had a profound and lasting impact on the Islamic world, symbolizing the devastation brought by Mongol invasions during the 13th century.

Delhi Sultanate founded in India

1206 BCE

Founded in 1206 by Qutb-ud-din Aibak, the Delhi Sultanate marked the onset of Muslim rule in northern India. It comprised several dynasties and played a significant role in shaping the region's history and culture until the establishment of the Mughal Empire.

Saladin recaptures Jerusalem

1187 BCE

In 1187, the Muslim military leader Saladin successfully recaptured Jerusalem from Christian control during the Third Crusade. His forces defeated the Crusader army led by King Guy of Jerusalem at the Battle of Hattin. The fall of Jerusalem marked a significant turning point in the Crusades, prompting European leaders, including Richard the Lionheart, to launch subsequent campaigns to regain control of the Holy City.

Second Crusade

1147 BCE

The Second Crusade (1147-1149) aimed to recapture Edessa but faced internal conflicts and military challenges. Led by King Louis VII and Emperor Conrad III, the Crusaders failed to achieve their objectives, notably in the unsuccessful Siege of Damascus (1148). The campaign highlighted the challenges and lack of unity among Christian leaders in their efforts to reclaim territory in the Holy Land.

First Crusade captures Jerusalem

1099 BCE

The First Crusade successfully captured Jerusalem in 1099. After a long and arduous campaign, European Christian forces, motivated by religious zeal, conquered the holy city from the Muslim forces. The capture of Jerusalem marked a significant event in the history of the Crusades, establishing Christian rule in the region for a period.

Seljuk Turks defeat Byzantines at the Battle of Manzikert

1071 BCE

The Battle of Manzikert occurred in 1071CE, where the Seljuk Turks decisively defeated the Byzantine Empire. Led by Sultan Alp Arslan, the Seljuks triumphed at Manzikert, leading to significant territorial losses for the Byzantines. The battle is considered a turning point in the Byzantine-Seljuk conflict and had far-reaching consequences for the Byzantine Empire, opening the door to further Turkish expansion in Anatolia.

Fatimid Caliphate established in North Africa

909 BCE

The Fatimid Caliphate, founded in 909 AD in North Africa, was a Shiite Islamic empire with its capital in Cairo. Known for cultural and economic contributions, it thrived until the 12th century before succumbing to external pressures.

Battle of Tours halts Muslim expansion into Western Europe

732 BCE

The Battle of Tours marked a pivotal event in history, as Frankish forces, led by Charles Martel, successfully halted the Muslim expansion into Western Europe. The battle, fought between the Franks and the Umayyad Caliphate, is credited with preventing further Muslim advances into Europe. Charles Martel's victory at Tours is often considered a key moment in preserving Western Christian civilization and shaping the future geopolitical landscape of Europe.

Muslim conquest of Spain (Al-Andalus)

711 BCE

In 711 CE, Muslim forces conquered Spain (Al-Andalus), marking the beginning of Islamic rule in the Iberian Peninsula. The conquest had a profound impact on the region, introducing Islamic culture, science, and architecture to Spain.

Prophet Muhammad's Hijra and establishment of Islam in Medina

622 BCE

In 622 CE, Prophet Muhammad migrated from Mecca to Medina, escaping persecution. This event, known as the Hijra, marks the beginning of the Islamic calendar.