Abbasid Caliph: Al-Mansur founded the city of Baghdad

On this day, July 30, 762 CE, Baghdad was founded on the west bank of the Tigris by the Abbasid caliph Al-Mansur, the city officially known as Madinat al-Salam (city of peace) which served as the capital for the Dynasty. Its commercial position became generally unrivaled and under the caliph Harun ar-Rashid, Baghdad rose to become one of the greatest cities of Islam. It was the home of many eminent scholars, artists, and poets, who enjoyed the city's wealth and culture.

Baghdad expanded quickly to become the largest metropolitan area in the mediaeval era and a hub of commerce and learning. With its abundance of bookstores and public libraries, the city developed into a center for students who were travelling in pursuit of knowledge.

"In the entire world, there has not been a city that could compare with Baghdad in size and splendor, or in the number of scholars and great personalities," said Khatib al-Baghdadi (literally, the lecturer from Baghdad) in the 11th century. "Consider the numerous roads, markets, lanes, mosques, bathhouses, and shops- all these distinguish the city from all others."

In its glory, the Abbasid city was home to some of the greatest educational institutions in the world, notably the renowned House of Wisdom (Dar ul Hikmah), and it gained a reputation as the "Centre of learning" around the globe. The city also had a diverse ethnic and religious population.

Hulagu Khan, the renowned Ilkhanate Mongol commander, led his army and allies in a siege of Baghdad in 1258. The 13-day siege, which lasted from January 29 to February 10, was in progress. Even though the then-Caliph, Al-Musta'sim, had not made preparations for the invasion, he was of the opinion that Baghdad could not be taken by the invaders and refused to submit.