Abbasid revolution

The Abbasid revolution (Arabic: الثورة العباسية, romanized: ath-thawra al-ʿAbbāsiyyah), was the overthrow of the Umayyad Caliphate (661–750), the second of the four major caliphates in Islamic history, by the third, the Abbasid Caliphate (750–1517).

The Abbasid revolt originated in the eastern province of Khorasan in the mid-8th century, fueled by widespread discontent with Umayyad rule. The Abbasids, claiming descent from Muhammad's uncle Abbas, capitalized on various grievances, including discrimination against non-Arab Muslims (mawali), heavy taxation, and perceived impiety of Umayyad rulers. Led by Abu Muslim Khorasani, the rebellion united diverse groups, including Persians, disaffected Arabs, and Shi'a supporters, under the banner of restoring rule to the Prophet's family. The revolutionaries adopted black as their color and advanced westward, defeating Umayyad forces. The decisive Battle of the Zab in 750 saw the Abbasid army triumph over the last Umayyad caliph, Marwan II. This victory led to the fall of the Umayyad dynasty and the establishment of Abbasid rule, marking a significant shift in the caliphate's power base from Syria to Iraq and ushering in a new era of Islamic governance.