Nepali Wanderer

Despite the passing of Muhammad in 632 AD, Islam and the Islamic Empires flourished rapidly. Within less than a century, Islamic rule spread across three continents — Africa, Europe, and Asia — stretching from India in the east to Spain in the west.

The Islamic Empires are renowned for their contributions to art and culture. Major cities such as Baghdad, Damascus, Cairo, and Cordoba in Andalusia, Spain, were considered some of the most prosperous on earth. The Alhambra palace in Granada is just one of many enduring symbols of the Islamic empires’ artistic and architectural grandeur.

However, the most profound impact of the Islamic Empires was in the realm of knowledge. The Abbasid Caliphate in particular, between 750 and 1258 AD, is often regarded as the Golden Age of Islam. During this period, intellectual pursuits flourished remarkably.

Baghdad, in particular, became known as the World Capital of Knowledge, home to the renowned House of Wisdom. This institution functioned as a center for research, scientific study, academic exchange, and translation. Scholars from India, China, Iran, and Europe gathered here to translate significant works from Sanskrit, Chinese, Persian, and Greek into Arabic. These translations preserved many ancient texts that might otherwise have been lost to history.

One of the most notable scholars of this era was Al-Khwarizmi, a polymath born in 780 AD. Although he made significant contributions to geography, astronomy, and engineering, his most enduring legacy is in mathematics. He revised the work of earlier astronomers like Ptolemy and produced the most accurate world map of his time.

Al-Khwarizmi’s seminal work in mathematics, “Kitāb al-Mukhtaṣar fī ḥisāb al-jabr wa’l-muqābala” (The Compendious Book on Calculation by Completion and Balancing), laid the foundation for modern algebra. The word “algebra” itself is derived from “al-jabr,” and Al-Khwarizmi is rightly celebrated as the father of algebra. Additionally, the term “algorithm” comes from the Latinized form of his name, “Algorithmi,” reflecting his influence on mathematical procedures and calculations.

Al-Khwarizmi was also a strong advocate of the Hindu numeric system. Having studied the works of Indian mathematicians like Brahmagupta, he recognized the efficiency of Hindu numerals (0–9), especially the revolutionary concept of zero. His use of these numerals in his mathematical works facilitated their adoption in Europe, where they became known as Arabic numerals. This transition from the cumbersome Roman numeral system to the more versatile Hindu-Arabic numeral system significantly advanced mathematical practices in Europe.
Al-Khwarizmi was just one of many scholars who contributed to the Islamic Golden Age. The culture of intellectual pursuit and innovation that pervaded the Islamic world during this period left an indelible mark on history, enriching it not only with wealth but also with art, culture, and knowledge.
Baghdad, for instance, was once the world capital for knowledge, research, and innovation — a stark contrast to the image we have of it today. History, in this light, serves as a reminder of the contributions of many forgotten cities and its people. Remember, this is the same era that is often referred to as the Dark Ages in history, primarily because it was considered a dark period in Europe. However, as we can see, it was anything but dark in other parts of the world. Long before the Renaissance in Europe, Islamic civilizations excelled in sciences, mathematics, governance, and the arts. This perspective teaches us to view history through diverse lenses, moving beyond typical Eurocentric and Western-focused viewpoints.
While the influence of Islamic empires has endured through history (with future Islamic empires flourishing in various region), the end of their Golden Era is marked around 1258 AD. This significant turning point occurred when Baghdad, the capital of the Abbasid Caliphate, was sacked by another influential empire. For an empire that had made such a profound and swift impact on history, it took an equally remarkable force to bring about its decline. It was time for the Mongols, led by arguably the greatest warrior in history, Genghis Khan, to leave their mark on history.
But unlike figures such as Constantine and the Caliphs, who shaped the world through religious and cultural contributions, the Mongols left their mark primarily through their impact on commerce and the economy. It is at this juncture that we introduce another central character in our narrative — Money. In the next chapter, we will explore the origin of money and trace history through the lens of this crucial element in human civilization.