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Muawiya Establishes the Umayyad Caliphate

Type Event Region Western Asia Time 661

In 661, Syrian governor Muawiya became caliph after Hasan ibn Ali's abdication, ending the era of the Rashidun Caliphate and establishing Umayyad rul…

Timeline

  1. 661Kufa · IraqAfter Ali was assassinated in Kufa, his son Hasan was proclaimed caliph in Iraq, but facing Muawiya's military pressure and internal factional divisions, the authority of the unified caliphate was severely shaken.
  2. 661Iraq · IraqHasan reached an agreement with Muawiya, relinquishing the caliphate in exchange for his family's safety and compensation. This ended the armed confrontation of the First Fitna and cleared the way for Muawiya's full assumption of power.
  3. 661Damascus · SyriaMuawiya was recognized as caliph in Syria, made Damascus his capital, and established the Umayyad administrative system. The era of the Rashidun Caliphate ended, and the Islamic empire entered a new phase of hereditary dynastic rule.

Sources