Under the Ottomans, Baghdad continued into a period of decline, partially as a result of the enmity between its rulers and Iranian Safavids, which did not accept the Sunni control of the city. The Seljuks were a clan of the Oghuz Turks from Central Asia that converted to the Sunni branch of Islam. They chose a site north of the Sassanid capital of Ctesiphon, and on 30 July 762[22] the caliph Al-Mansur commissioned the construction of the city. [109] Following the sectarian violence in Iraq between the Sunni and Shia militia groups during the U.S. occupation of Iraq.The Iraqi Civil War following ISIS' invasion in 2014 caused hundreds of thousands of Iraqi internally displaced people to flee to the city. Posted by 25 days ago. This was a result of theft of some animals for human food, and starvation of caged animals that had no food. [33] In fact, by the time of Harun al-Rashid, Baghdad had a few thousand hammams. by Rawlinson, George. At the beginning of the 21st century, some 1.5 million people migrated to Baghdad. Since the coalition invasion in 2003, Baghdad has become one of the most dangerous cities on Earth. At this point, Baghdad was ruled by the Ilkhanate, a breakaway state of the Mongol Empire, ruling from Iran. [68] When his forces took Baghdad, he spared almost no one, and ordered that each of his soldiers bring back two severed human heads. The city’s Asian community (red dots) lives to the northeast, and whites (blue dots) live to the east and southeast. It was made of brick and marble. In the central part of the building, there was a green dome that was 39 m high. The Seljuks expelled the Buyid dynasty of Shiites that had ruled for some time and took over power and control of Baghdad. Al-Qushla: Iraq's oasis of free expression. [8] They suggested various meanings, the most common of which was "bestowed by God". On 14 July 1958, members of the Iraqi Army, under Abd al-Karim Qasim, staged a coup to topple the Kingdom of Iraq. A Simple and Useful Guide to Understanding the Conflict in Iraq, ISIS: What to Know About the Military Group Taking Over Iraq, “I used to go every Friday to al-Ghazil market and I used to see a large number of people there,” Arkan says in a Reuters video. It was built under the supervision of the Barmakids. The city of Baghdad soon became so large that it had to be divided into three judicial districts: Madinat al-Mansur (the Round City), al-Sharqiyya (Karkh) and Askar al-Mahdi (on the West Bank).[26]. [81], Al-Shaheed Monument, also known as the Martyr's Memorial, is a monument dedicated to the Iraqi soldiers who died in the Iran–Iraq War. [74] On 1 April 1941, members of the "Golden Square" and Rashid Ali staged a coup in Baghdad. There are a number of other locations in the wider region whose names are compounds of the word bagh, including Baghlan and Bagram in Afghanistan, Baghshan in Iran,[15] and Baghdati in Georgia, which likely share the same etymological origins. In the summer, from June through August, the average maximum temperature is as high as 44 °C (111 °F) and accompanied by sunshine. There were cabarets and taverns, halls for backgammon and chess, live plays, concerts, and acrobats. The name Baghdad is pre-Islamic, and its origin is disputed. share. Beyond the outer wall was a water-filled moat. The circle was the caliph’s tribute to the geometric teachings of Euclid, whom he had studied and admired. Firdos Square is a public open space in Baghdad and the location of two of the best-known hotels, the Palestine Hotel and the Sheraton Ishtar, which are both also the tallest buildings in Baghdad. These baths increased public hygiene and served as a way for the religious to perform ablutions as prescribed by Islam. Artists and music and writers, and all of the history. New infrastructure including modern sewerage, water, and highway facilities were built during this period. The University of Baghdad is the largest university in Iraq and the second largest in the Arab world. “We left after we saw everybody else leaving,” Abir, a 33-year-old teacher who joined the exodus with her husband and three children, told The Associated Press. [56] Unfortunately, this second library was plundered and burned by the Seljuks only seventy years after it was established. [103] On 11 January 2008, light snow fell across Baghdad for the first time in 100 years. They consider Shiite Muslims to be "unbelievers," and Baghdad is a preodominantly Shiite city. There, local councils were elected from 20 neighbourhoods (Nahia) and these councils elected representatives from their members to serve on six district councils (Qada). Baghdad is also home to a number of museums which housed artifacts and relics of ancient civilization; many of these were stolen, and the museums looted, during the widespread chaos immediately after United States forces entered the city. [29] July was chosen as the starting time because two astrologers, Naubakht Ahvazi and Mashallah, believed that the city should be built under the sign of the lion, Leo. In Meri, J.W. Joneidi, F. (2007). This system of 127 separate councils may seem overly cumbersome; however, Baghdad Province is home to approximately seven million people. Suraiya Faroqhi, Halil İnalcık, Donald Quataert (1997). Iran launched a number of missile attacks against Baghdad in retaliation for Saddam Hussein's continuous bombardments of Tehran's residential districts. Baghdad (/ˈbæɡdæd, bəɡˈdæd/; Arabic: بَغْدَاد‎ [baɣˈdaːd] (listen)) is the capital of Iraq and one of the largest cities in the Arab world, and compared to its large population it has a small area at just 673 square kilometers (260 sq mi). By the 8th century AD, several villages had developed there, including a Persian[9][10] hamlet called Baghdad, the name which would come to be used for the Abbasid metropolis. [113], The Baghdad Eye, a 198 m (650 ft) tall Ferris wheel, was proposed for Baghdad in August 2008. In contemporary times, the city has often faced severe infrastructural damage, most recently due to the Iraq War that lasted from 2003 until 2011, and the subsequent insurgency and later the renewed war that lasted from 2013 until 2017, resulting in a substantial loss of cultural heritage and historical artifacts. Wahlperiode Drucksache IV/3672, "Baghdad: The City in Verse, translated and edited by Reuven Snir", "Baghdad celebrates selection as UNESCO City of Literature | Nermeen Mufti", "Five women confront a new Iraq | csmonitor.com", "Gunmen storm independent radio station in latest attack against media in Iraq", "Occupation and international humanitarian law: Questions and answers – ICRC", Miastoprojekt goes abroad: the transfer of architectural labour from socialist Poland to Iraq (1958–1989), Iraq Image – Baghdad Satellite Observation, National Commission for Investment in Iraq, Description of the original layout of Baghdad, Ethnic and sectarian map of Baghdad – Healingiraq, UAE Investors Keen On Taking Part In Baghdad Renaissance Project, Iraq Inter-Agency Information & Analysis Unit, An unrecognised or partially-recognised nation, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Baghdad&oldid=1016386050, Populated places established in the 8th century, Articles with incomplete citations from July 2020, CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown, Short description is different from Wikidata, Wikipedia pages move-protected due to vandalism, Pages using multiple image with auto scaled images, Articles lacking reliable references from December 2017, Wikipedia articles needing clarification from March 2019, All Wikipedia articles needing clarification, Articles with unsourced statements from February 2019, Articles needing additional references from June 2019, All articles needing additional references, Articles with unsourced statements from February 2020, Articles with dead external links from July 2017, Articles with permanently dead external links, Wikipedia articles with MusicBrainz area identifiers, Wikipedia articles with WORLDCATID identifiers, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, Siege of Baghdad (1625), Ottoman–Safavid Wars, Masjid Al-Kadhimain is a shrine that is located in the, Salihiya Residential area – situated off Al Sinak bridge in central Baghdad, surrounded by Al- Mansur Hotel in the north and Al-Rasheed hotel in the south, Al Khat al Sare'a – Mohammed al Qasim (high speed lane) – runs through Baghdad, north–south, Al Sinaa Street (Industry Street) runs by the University of Technology – centre of the computer trade in Baghdad, "Travels in Asia and Africa 1325-135" by Ibn Battuta. Ali Yaycioğlu (Stanford). The city was designed as a circle about 2 km (1.2 mi) in diameter, leading it to be known as the "Round City". He lives in Iskan, a poor, crowded neighborhood near downtown Baghdad. During the Mandate, Baghdad's substantial Jewish community comprised a quarter of the city's population. For other uses, see, Palestine Meridian hotel and Ishtar Sheraton hotel, Center of learning (8th to 9th centuries), Stagnation and invasions (10th to 16th centuries), Estimates of total population differ substantially. 383 comments. The city historically had a predominantly Sunni population, but by the early 21st century around 52% of the city's population were Iraqi Shi'ites. [8][18][19] Some scholars suggested Aramaic derivations.[8]. In 1991 and 2003, the Gulf War and the 2003 invasion of Iraq caused significant damage to Baghdad's transportation, power, and sanitary infrastructure as the US-led coalition forces launched massive aerial assaults in the city in the two wars. They chose a site north of the Sassanid capital of Ctesiphon, and on 30 July 762 the caliph Al-Mansur commissioned the construction of the city. Baghdad was a modernizing city, with wide boulevards and grassy traffic circles. From December through February, Baghdad has maximum temperatures averaging 16 to 19 °C (61 to 66 °F), though highs above 21 °C (70 °F) are not unheard of. ", Stanek, L., Miastoprojekt goes abroad: the transfer of architectural labour from socialist Poland to Iraq (1958–1989), The Journal of Architecture, Volume 17, Issue 3, 2012, CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (, substantial loss of cultural heritage and historical artifacts, Learn how and when to remove this template message, staged a coup to topple the Kingdom of Iraq, List of neighborhoods and districts in Baghdad, Sindbad Hotel Complex and Conference Center, "Mortality after the 2003 invasion of Iraq: a cross-sectional cluster sample survey", "Cities and urban areas in Iraq with population over 100,000", "BAGHDAD i. Multiple Iraqi parties are in discussions as to whether the arches should remain as historical monuments or be dismantled. (2006). From 1851 to 1852 and from 1861 to 1867, Baghdad was governed, under the Ottoman Empire by Mehmed Namık Pasha. The Tigris splits Baghdad in half, with the eastern half being called "Risafa" and the Western half known as "Karkh". [114], In October 2008, the Baghdad Metro resumed service. [129], Priceless collection of artifacts in the National Museum of Iraq was looted by the Iraqi citizens during the 2003 US-led invasion. Late at night and early in the morning, when the air is cleanest, this is what Baghdad smells like. The phrase “American Dream” was invented during the Great Depression. Qushla and its surroundings is where the historical features and cultural capitals of Baghdad are concentrated, from the Mutanabbi Street, Abbasid-era palace and bridges, Ottoman-era mosques to the Mustansariyah Madrasa. “I went today, but the market was deserted. [73] After receiving independence in 1932, the capital of the Kingdom of Iraq. [11], Arab authors, realizing the pre-Islamic origins of Baghdad's name, generally looked for its roots in Middle Persian. During the 1970s and 1980s, Saddam Hussein's government spent a lot of money on new monuments, which included the al-Shaheed Monument. [3] The city was largely destroyed at the hands of the Mongol Empire in 1258, resulting in a decline that would linger through many centuries due to frequent plagues and multiple successive empires. The nine District Advisory Councils (DAC) are as follows:[91]. It was named after the 10th-century classical Iraqi poet Al-Mutanabbi. This, in addition to housing several key academic institutions, including the House of Wisdom, as well as hosting a multiethnic and multireligious environment, garnered the city a worldwide reputation as the "Centre of Learning". Security Alert – U. S. Embassy Baghdad, Iraq (November 6, 2018) President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. Tehran: Balkh (نشر بلخ). With the recognition of Iraq as an independent state (formerly the British Mandate of Mesopotamia) in 1932, Baghdad gradually regained some of its former prominence as a significant center of Arabic culture, with a population variously estimated at 6 or over 7 million. Iraqi army soldiers have abandoned their posts rather than confront the militants, spooking citizens. As the two marriages unfortunately dissolved however in 1979 and 1981 after which the group's style changed … Today, it is a place where the citizens of Baghdad find leisure such as reading poetry in gazebos. Another was established by Sabur ibn Ardashir in 991 or 993 for the literary men and scholars who frequented his academy. June 13, 2014— -- As Islamic extremists threaten Baghdad, residents of the Iraqi capital are fleeing on foot, emptying grocery stores and hiding in shelters to escape the bloodshed. Like everyone else, I am denied my basic rights. As many as 30 movie theatres were reported to have been converted to live stages, producing a wide range of comedies and dramatic productions. [110], Most Iraqi reconstruction efforts have been devoted to the restoration and repair of badly damaged urban infrastructure. The CIA World Factbook estimated the 2020 population of Baghdad at 7,144,000. [39], Within a generation of its founding, Baghdad became a hub of learning and commerce. Call with Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kadhimi of Iraq President Joseph R. Biden spoke today with Prime Minister … The nine districts are subdivided into 89 smaller neighborhoods which may make up sectors of any of the districts above. [54] Many of the One Thousand and One Nights tales, widely known as the Arabian Nights, are set in Baghdad during this period. In 1401, Baghdad was again sacked, by Timur. It was built under the supervision of the Barmakids. [127] The live theatre scene received a boost during the 1990s, when UN sanctions limited the import of foreign films. As before, the representatives to the Provincial Council were elected by their peers from the lower councils in numbers proportional to the population of the districts they represent. The square developed during the Ottoman era as a military barracks. Located along the Tigris, near the ruins of the Akkadian city of Babylon and the ancient Iranian capital of Ctesiphon, Baghdad was founded in the 8th century and became the capital of the Abbasid Caliphate. Between 1623 and 1638, it returned to Iranian rule before falling back into Ottoman hands. He is 39, a thin, nervous-looking man with a black beard and coarse hands. Transcript for This Is What the Airstrike in Iraq Looked Like This transcript has been automatically generated and may not be 100% accurate. Prior to the Gulf War, multiple international schools operated in Baghdad, including: Baghdad has always played a significant role in the broader Arab cultural sphere, contributing several significant writers, musicians and visual artists. In addition, the palace was near other mansions and officer's residences. It is possible that Baghdad will see chaos.”. Baghdad accounts for 22.2% of Iraq's population and 40% of the country's gross domestic product (PPP). The original design shows a single ring of residential and commercial structures along the inside of the city walls, but the final construction added another ring inside the first. What Does Look Like Now . Today the park is a popular daytrip destination for families, with green lawns, playgrounds and restaurants. The round city of Baghdad in the 10th century, the peak of the Abbasid Caliphate. Also in 2003, a minor riot in the city (which took place on 21 July) caused some disturbance in the population. Some historians even argue against exaggerated claims about its … Rainfall has been recorded on fewer than half a dozen occasions at this time of year and has never exceeded 1 millimetre (0.04 in). Mackensen, Ruth Stellhorn . Surrounding the palace was an esplanade, a waterside building, in which only the caliph could come riding on horseback. Baghdad was a busy city during the day and had many attractions at night. Municipally, the governorate is divided into 9 municipalities, which have responsibility for local issues. King Faisal II, former Prime Minister Nuri as-Said, former Regent Prince 'Abd al-Ilah, members of the royal family, and others were brutally killed during the coup. Sort by. According to the traveler Ibn Battuta, Baghdad was one of the largest cities, not including the damage it has received. The Sasanian city of Gur in Fars, built 500 years before Baghdad, is nearly identical in its general circular design, radiating avenues, and the government buildings and temples at the centre of the city. The 41 member Provincial Council took office in February 2004 and served until national elections held in January 2005, when a new Provincial Council was elected. [90] The square was the site of the statue of Saddam Hussein that was pulled down by U.S. coalition forces in a widely televised event during the 2003 invasion of Iraq. The land on which the city is built is almost entirely flat and low-lying, being of alluvial origin due to the periodic large floods which have occurred on the river. "Historic cities of the Islamic world. [83] It is characterized by the iconic clock tower which was donated by George V. The entire area is submitted to the UNESCO World Heritage Site Tentative list.[84]. The Mustansiriya Madrasah was established in 1227 by the Abbasid Caliph al-Mustansir. The city saw relative revival in the latter part of the 18th century, under a Mamluk government. The Mongols massacred most of the city's inhabitants, including the caliph Al-Musta'sim, and destroyed large sections of the city. “Some of them have already gone to Kurdistan region and others went abroad. Baghdad has a hot desert climate (Köppen BWh), featuring extremely hot, prolonged, dry summers and mild to cool, slightly wet, short winters. Ctesiphon itself had replaced and absorbed Seleucia, the first capital of the Seleucid Empire, which had earlier replaced the city of Babylon. Guy Le Strange, "Baghdad During the Abbasid Caliphate from Contemporary Arabic and Persian", pg 10. The residents are mostly Hanbal. “All the people are afraid now,” Arkan told Reuters. This page was last edited on 6 April 2021, at 22:06. On street corners, storytellers engaged crowds with tales such as those later told in Arabian Nights. Mansur assembled engineers, surveyors, and art constructionists from around the world to come together and draw up plans for the city. Iraqis discuss fears and concerns about the advancement of ISIS forces. Close. Among the notable features of Baghdad during this period were its exceptional libraries. Gordon, M.S. In 813, after the death of caliph Al-Amin, the palace was no longer used as the home for the caliph and his family. Tughril Beg saw himself as the protector of the Abbasid Caliphs.[59]. Baghdad may have been the first city to have over a million inhabitants. One Baghdad resident told Reuters his local market is “deserted” as his neighbors try to avoid the militants, an army of radical Sunni Muslims called ISIS whose tactics have been deemed too brutal by al Qaeda. [32] There was a large sanitation department, many fountains and public baths, and unlike contemporary European cities at the time, streets were frequently washed free of debris and trash. At the lowest level, the neighbourhood councils, each council represents an average of 75,000 people. But life goes on. Baghdad eclipsed Ctesiphon, the capital of the Sassanians, which was located some 30 km (19 mi) to the southeast. There is also a private radio station called "Dijlah" (named after the Arabic word for the Tigris River) that was created in 2004 as Iraq's first independent talk radio station. Timur left the Sarbadar prince Khwaja Mas'ud to govern Baghdad, but he was driven out when Ahmad Jalayir returned. [65] It has been argued that this marked an end to the Islamic Golden Age and served a blow from which Islamic civilisation never fully recovered.[66]. Famous Arab poets and singers such as Nizar Qabbani, Umm Kulthum, Fairuz, Salah Al-Hamdani, Ilham al-Madfai and others have performed for the city. The masterplans of the city (1967, 1973) were delivered by the Polish planning office Miastoprojekt-Kraków, mediated by Polservice. ), Baghdad: The City in Verse (Harvard, 2013). [130], Baghdad is home to some of the most successful football (soccer) teams in Iraq, the biggest being Al-Shorta (Police), Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya (Airforce club), Al-Zawra'a, and Talaba (Students). [28] It took four years to build (764–768). [75] However, the Iran–Iraq War of the 1980s was a difficult time for the city, as money was diverted by Saddam Hussein to the army and thousands of residents were killed. The first step in the establishment of the system of local government for Baghdad Province was the election of the Baghdad Provincial Council. 7 2 4. "by Bosworth, Clifford Edmund. More. Crisis in … Marketplaces are some of the most dangerous places in Baghdad. [25], The city's growth was helped by its excellent location, based on at least two factors: it had control over strategic and trading routes along the Tigris, and it had an abundance of water in a dry climate. [79][80] Eventually Paul Bremer, Director of the Coalition Provisional Authority in Iraq after the invasion, ordered protection for the zoo and enlisted U.S. engineers to help reopen the facility. [24] Mansur loved the site so much he is quoted saying: "This is indeed the city that I am to found, where I am to live, and where my descendants will reign afterward". In 1920, Baghdad became the capital of the British Mandate of Mesopotamia with several architectural and planning projects commissioned to reinforce this administration. What Does Hollywood Look Like Today. It was followed by another war from 2013-2017 and a low-level insurgency from 2017, which included suicide bombings in January 2018, and January 2021.[77]. Cher No Makeup . [104] Snowfall was again reported on 11 February 2020, with accumulations across the city.[105].