Islamic History and Culture

CSS SYLLABUS ISLAMIC HISTORY AND CULTURE – 100 MARKS


Part –I (Marks 50)


I. Pre-Islamic Near East: An Overview

§ Political, Social, Cultural, Religious and Economic Conditions in the Near East including Arabia before the dawn of Islam


II. The Dawn of Islam: The Prophetic Age (570-632)
§ Biography of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH): A Chronology of the Major
Events in his Life
§ Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) as a Motivator (Daa’i), Major points of his mission
§ Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) as a Military Leader/Strategist
§ Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) as a Political Leader/Head of the State


III. The Pious Caliphate (632-660)
§ Caliph Abu Bakr (632-34): Apostasy Wars and Consolidation of Islam
§ Caliph Umar b.Khattab (634-44): Establishment of Administrative System and
Expansion of Muslim Empire
§ Caliph Uthman b.Affan (644-56): Problems and Issues in the Muslim Community
§ Caliph Ali b.Talib (656-660): Rise of Factionalism
§ Abdication of Imam Hasan and Establishment of Umayyad Dynasty (660)


IV. Political System of Islam under the Prophet (PBUH) and the Pious Caliphate
§ Nature of Islamic State
§ Form of the Government
§ Functions of the Islamic State
§ Sovereignty of God
§ Caliphate or Vicegerency of Man
§ Appointment of Caliph


V. In Shura or the Consultative Body and its Role
stitutional Development of the Muslim Civilization:The Early Phase (622-660)
§ Development of Law and Judiciary in Early Islam
§ Administration and State Conduct
§ Defense in Early Islam
§ Educational System
§ Propagation of Islam
§ Financial Administration
§ Heritage and Culture


VI. The Umayyad in Power (660-749)
§ Political History of the Umayyad Dynasty
§ Statecraft and Administration under the Umayyads
§ Society and the Development of Arabic Literature.
§ Cultural achievements


Part –II (Marks 50)


I. The Abbasids of Baghdad (749-1258)
§ The Abbasid Revolution and the Establishment of the Abbasid Dynasty
§ Administrative Structure under the Abbasids
§ Development of Scientific Knowledge under the Abbasids
§ Muslim Philosophy under the Abbasids
§ Cultural achievements


II. Spain under the Muslim Rule
§ Spain under the rule of the Arabs and Moors (711-1492)
§ Political Fragmentation and the Fall of Granada (1492)
§ Muslim Contribution in the Realm of Culture, Arts and Architecture


III. The Crusades against Islam
§ Major Encounters and Actors (1092-1228)
§ Impact of the Crusades on Muslim-Christian Relations


IV. The Ottoman Empire
§ Rise and Fall of the Ottoman Turks (1299-1923)
§ State, Society and Economy under the Ottomans
§ Treatment with the Religious Minorities
§ Contribution towards Culture, Arts and Architecture


V. Sufism as an Institution of the Muslim Society
§ Origin and Development of Sufism
§ Contribution of the Sufis to the Muslim Civilization
§ Relationship of the Sufis with the State and Political Authorities.
§ A critical Look at Sufism


VI. Islam and Modernity in Contemporary World
§ The Emergence of Islamic Modernism
§ Intellectual, Political, Economic, Social and Educational Aspects of Islamic
Modernism
§ Dissemination of Muslim Learning in the West