A Study On The Urban Development Of Baghdad In The Early Period Of Abbasid Dynasty(AD762-AD847)

Baghdad,established in AD762,is not only the political,economic and cultural center of the Abbasid Caliphate,but also one of the most prosperous cities in the medieval Islamic world;it is not only the commercial hub of the ancient Silk Road,but also an exemplary city known for its civilization in the medieval era.And the regional trade circle with Baghdad as the center can also epitomize the thriving trade of Middle East area at that time.This paper takes the urban development of Baghdad as the main line and uses the radiation area of the trade circle as a cross-section to show the prosperity of the medieval cities in the Middle East and further explore the causes and implications behind it.The paper can be divided into three parts: introduction part,main body and conclusion part.Introduction part: this part mainly demonstrates the aim and significance of chosen subject,summarizes the research status of the subject at home and abroad,explains the main scope of the research,and gives introduction to research approaches,writing methods,innovations and characteristics of selected subject.The main body consists of three parts.The first part: expounding the establishment and early development of Bagdad.Starting from Khalifah Mansour of Abbasid Caliphate,this part begins with his investigation and planning of a new capital of the Empire,discusses why Mansour chose Baghdad as the capital in terms of geographical,political and economic factors,which combined laid a foundation for the development of Baghdad trade.The second part: discussing and analyzing the scope and status of the regional trade circle in Baghdad.Based on the division of intra-regional trade circle and the cross-regional trade circle,the paper refines their routes,neighboring regions and countries,and major items of their trade,etc.so as to specifically outline the prosperity of Baghdad trade circle with detailed historical data.The third part: analysis of the causes and effects of the Baghdad trade circle.This part points out that combined factors reinforced the existing and development of Baghdad trade circle: the superior geographical position of Baghdad,the development of its agriculture and handicraft industry,the advancement of science and technology and shipbuilding technology,the mercantilist policy of the Islam,and the trade protectionismpolicy of the rulers.The formation and development of the circle not only promoted the prosperity of Baghdad city,the expansion of urban areas,the increase of population,the integration of various cultures,but also the trade status of the city in the region and Eurasian continent.The conclusion part: by summarizing the whole paper,this part points out the historic influence that Baghdad's trade circle has on the development of Arab Empire and the Eurasian continent.The study of Baghdad's changes can also provide us some insights on the history course of Abbasid Caliphate from the prosperity to the decline.