Before the arrival of the Mongols, Baghdad was the centre of Muslim power and influence, having a population of approximately one million residents. Despite being the capital of the waning Abbasid Caliphate the city was still rich and cultured.
Then, in 1258, the Mongols sacked it. Anywhere from 100,000 to one million inhabitants were massacred and the city was sacked and burned. The Grand Library of Baghdad, containing countless precious historical documents and books on subjects ranging from medicine to astronomy, was destroyed. Grand buildings that had been the work of generations were burned to the ground. Hulagu Khan, the leader of the attack, had to move his camp upwind of the city, due to the stench of decay from the ruined city. Baghdad remained depopulated and in ruins for several centuries.
But what if the sacking never took place? What if, instead of Baghdad, the Mongols decided to target a less important city such as Basra or Mosul? How would this affect scholarly learning with an intact Library, and similarly how would the lack such a strong sign of strength mean for resistance further west?
What do you think?
Then, in 1258, the Mongols sacked it. Anywhere from 100,000 to one million inhabitants were massacred and the city was sacked and burned. The Grand Library of Baghdad, containing countless precious historical documents and books on subjects ranging from medicine to astronomy, was destroyed. Grand buildings that had been the work of generations were burned to the ground. Hulagu Khan, the leader of the attack, had to move his camp upwind of the city, due to the stench of decay from the ruined city. Baghdad remained depopulated and in ruins for several centuries.
But what if the sacking never took place? What if, instead of Baghdad, the Mongols decided to target a less important city such as Basra or Mosul? How would this affect scholarly learning with an intact Library, and similarly how would the lack such a strong sign of strength mean for resistance further west?
What do you think?