Umayyad Caliphate

The Umayyad Caliphate (661-750 CE) was the first major Islamic dynasty after the Prophet Muhammad's death. It expanded rapidly, stretching from Spain in the west to India in the east, at its peak. The Umayyads established Arabic as the administrative language and promoted trade and urban development. However, their rule faced criticism for its perceived secularism and favoritism towards Arab Muslims, leading to unrest and eventual overthrow by the Abbasids. The Umayyad legacy includes cultural advancements and significant contributions to Islamic art, architecture, and governance, shaping the medieval Islamic world significantly.