1. Umayyad architecture is a major witness of the dynasty, with numerous buildings still extant.
Extensive municipal architectural programmes were undertaken, in addition to those constructions that were built by order of the Umayyad royal family. (Architectural Buildings and Palaces) 2. Both the Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem and the Umayyad Mosque in Damascus appear to have been built as symbols of Umayyad power and victory, and these buildings still give an impression of the grandeur of the dynastys architecture. (Dome of the Rock and Mosques) 3. In addition, the remarkable palatial buildings formerly known as desert castles continue to fascinate us for the window they provide into Umayyad court life and ceremonials. (Palaces for festivities, Forts and Ruins) 4. Extensive building programmes were undertaken for the benefit of the community as well as for the ruling elite. Cities such as Amman had a palatial complex, a mosque, a and a water Dynasty reservoir, and thus served the government and the Main marketplace Traits Of The Umayyad administration of the country in addition to the needs of the community. Vitally important infrastructure such as dams, cisterns and water reservoirs were constructed and bridges were erected. 5. In this formative phase one cannot speak strictly of a full-blown Islamic art as it is the juxtaposition and innovative combination of various decorative styles and motifs drawn from different artistic traditions that produced such striking results and made them appear different. 6. During the caliphate of Abd al-Malik bin Marwan (r. 6586 / 685705), a policy of administrative and political centralisation was initiated. Each province had its own way of administration and policy. However the rulers and governors will be accountable for the financial development and problems. 1. Umayyad architecture is a major witness of the dynasty, with numerous buildings still extant. Extensive municipal architectural programmes were undertaken, in addition to those constructions that were built by order of the Umayyad royal family. (Architectural Buildings and Palaces) 2. Both the Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem and the Umayyad Mosque in Damascus appear to have been built as symbols of Umayyad power and victory, and these buildings still give an impression of the grandeur of the dynastys architecture. (Dome of the Rock and Mosques) 3. In addition, the remarkable palatial buildings formerly known as desert castles continue to fascinate us for the window they provide into Umayyad court life and ceremonials. (Palaces for festivities, Forts and Ruins) 4. Extensive building programmes were undertaken for the benefit of the community as well as for the ruling elite. Cities such as Amman had a palatial complex, a mosque, a marketplace and a water reservoir, and thus served the government and the administration of the country in addition to the needs of the community. Vitally important infrastructure such as dams, cisterns and water reservoirs were constructed and bridges were erected. 5. In this formative phase one cannot speak strictly of a full-blown Islamic art as it is the juxtaposition and innovative combination of various decorative styles and motifs drawn from different artistic traditions that produced such striking results and made them appear different. Mr Pahary Page 103 6. During the caliphate of Abd al-Malik bin Marwan (r. 6586 / 685705), a policy of administrative and political centralisation was initiated. Each province had its own way of administration and policy. However the rulers and governors will be accountable for the financial development and problems.
Islamic Studies
Syllabus 9013
7. In the fiscal administration, however, the Arabs introduced an innovative system according to which all fully fledged members of the new polity were entitled to regular stipends (ata); a system that was financed by the taxes of the local populous. The main taxes were land tax (kharaj), a fixed rate in kind or money and the poll tax (jizya), which was imposed on every mature non-Muslim and means tested according to income. Priests, monks, and the disabled were exempt from paying jizya. 8. A standard Arabic coinage was developed to replace the Arab-Byzantine and ArabSassanian types which had been used up to this time. From the coin reform on, all Umayyad coinage was of a standardised weight and design: purely epigraphic, with an inscription giving the date and a religious formula. These measures served to introduce a unity which hitherto had been lacking.
Reasons for the Downfall of Umayyad Dynasty 1. Battle of Karbala against the Ahlu Bait by Yazid the son of Muawiyah 2. Illicit thoughts and activities (policies). Adultery, prostitution, bait-ul-Maal became the kingdoms property. 3. Bribes were distributed to gain popularity and election by the governors of the future caliph. 4. Interest was ramping and too much liberty was given to non-Muslims in many fields. 5. A return to islamisation from the good caliphs meant a reduction of illicit gain. In this way people tried their best to eliminate them. 6. The Christian and Jews were not loyal to the caliph and they plotted against them for personnel interest. 7. Khawarij were always uprising from all sides to create instability in the society. 8. There were revolts from those tribes who accepted Islam based for personnel interest and once a caliph passed away they rose against the Muslims. 9. There were constant revolts from the Abbasid leaders against any Umayyad caliph. 10. There were revolts from the Shia movement in search for a leader from the Ahle Bait. 11. There was a decrease in the amount of jizya obtained from non-Muslims resulting in a decrease in the Bait-ul-Maal.
