In this episode, we explore the fragile balance of power during the later years of the Umayyad Caliphate under Caliph Hisham ibn Abdul Malik. Between 112ā114 AH (731ā733 CE), the empire faced crushing defeats on nearly every frontier. Yet Hisham refused to abandon his policy of ceaseless expansion. Temporary truces bought the Caliphate breathing room, but soon the armies were back in motionāsometimes roaring, sometimes limpingātoward new campaigns.
From 115ā120 AH, the Umayyads managed a partial comeback. Victories against the Turgesh in Central Asia, renewed advances in Sindh, and territorial gains in France seemed to restore momentum. But these successes often proved hollow. Each campaign drained the Caliphateās coffers and manpower, leaving little capacity to improve life for its citizens.
Meanwhile, internal cracks widened. The Mawali, non-Arab converts to Islam, increasingly protested an unjust tax system. Tribal rivalries were deliberately stoked by Hisham to maintain control, while provincial governors hoarded wealth, tortured predecessors, and entrenched corruption.
Rather than strengthening the empire, these policies steadily weakened it. Every battlefield gain came at the cost of domestic stability. As the pressure mounted, the Umayyads were unknowingly laying the groundwork for their own downfallāmaking it easier for another movement to rise and challenge their rule.
Join us as we examine this turbulent period of fleeting victories, deepening unrest, and the first signs of the empireās unraveling.
-------- Ā
30:19
--------
30:19
Bonus - The Umayyad Caliphate 4-2 Promo
In this episode of the Umayyad Caliphate, we continue our exploration of Caliph Hisham ibn Abdul Malikās reign as the Umayyad Caliphate faces mounting crises across its vast empire.
The year is 110 AH (728 CE), and the empireās edges are on fire.
In the Caucasus, Maslamah ibn Abdul Malik leads a grueling campaign against the Khazar Khaganate through the treacherous Darial Pass. Despite claiming victory, his retreat is chaotic, marked by ambushes, torrential rain, and widespread exhaustion. Meanwhile, cracks appear in the empireās eastern front. In Khurasan, a well-intentioned tax policy by Governor Ashras unleashes a wave of conversions among non-Arab Muslimsābut when the policy is reversed, these new converts revolt. Their rebellion draws in the powerful Turgesh Khaganate, sparking a devastating loss for the Umayyads at the Battle of Baykand and the bloody Siege of Karmajah.
We also examine the collapse of Muslim authority in India, the chaotic military campaigns in Anatolia led by Hishamās sons, and the shocking fall of Ardabil to the Khazarsāa disaster that results in the death of a Muslim governor and the capture of tens of thousands of civilians.
As we move through these events, we see a common theme: a once-dominant caliphate now overstretched, undermanned, and increasingly reactive. The Muslim armies are no longer conquering; theyāre fighting to survive. Strategic missteps, overreliance on loyalist Syrian troops, and a refusal to adapt military policy are setting the stage for further instability.
This episode paints a grim but necessary portrait of an empire entering a period of sustained decline. From Armenia to Transoxiana, we witness the human cost of imperial overreachāand the resilience of those left to defend a collapsing frontier.
-------- Ā
20:41
--------
20:41
Bonus: The Umayyad Caliphate 4-1 Promo
Enjoy this promotional episode from The Umayyad Caliphate Season 4. Subscribe via Patreon, Apple Podcasts, Podbean, or Spotify.
-------- Ā
20:14
--------
20:14
10-12: The Closing
In this special recap episode, we revisit the grand saga of the Mughal Empireāits rise, zenith, and eventual decline. From Baburās bold conquests to Aurangzebās vast reign, we reflect on the emperors, battles, culture, and legacies that shaped South Asiaās history. Join us as we connect the threads of this epic journey and set the stage for whatās next.
Want to see my notes for this episode?Ā Join us on Telegram and search for "10-12".
-------- Ā
41:22
--------
41:22
10-11: The Last Mughal
In this episode, we delve into the dramatic fall of Bahadur Shah II, the last Mughal emperor. Discover how the 1857 Revolt sealed his fate, leading to his deposition and exile to Rangoon. We explore the end of a dynasty that once ruled vast territories, marking the twilight of Mughal power and the dawn of British dominance in India.
Want to see my notes for this episode?Ā Join us on Telegram and search for "10-11".
We often overlook Islamic history as a learning tool. The history of Islam is not only important for Muslims, but important for everyone. Islam and the people who call themselves Muslims have made an enormous impact on our world. The Islamic History Podcast is about discovering that history in a fun and interesting way.