Ancient Baghdad
Explore the magnificent Round City of Peace.
The Sikh Empire
Meet the Lions of the Punjab.
The Round City
Baghdad was a marvel of planning, built as a perfect circle with the Caliph’s palace at its heart. Hover over or tap the different parts of the diagram to see how this incredible city was laid out.
Hover to Explore
Learn about the city’s design.
Inside the Golden Age
The House of Wisdom
Imagine a super-library, university, and science lab all in one! Started by Caliph Harun al-Rashid and expanded by his son al-Ma’mun, the *Bayt al-Hikma* (House of Wisdom) was the brain of the empire. Scholars of all faiths (Muslim, Christian, and Jewish) worked together to translate ancient books on science, math, and philosophy into Arabic. Legend says Caliph al-Ma’mun paid translators the weight of their translated books in pure gold! The use of paper, a new technology from China, made it possible to create thousands of books, spreading knowledge faster than ever before.
Baghdad’s Timeline
762 CE
Caliph al-Mansur begins building the “Round City,” a new capital for the Abbasid Empire.
c. 786-809 CE
The reign of Caliph Harun al-Rashid marks the start of Baghdad’s Golden Age. He establishes a great library.
c. 813-833 CE
Caliph al-Ma’mun expands the library into the famous House of Wisdom, a public academy of science.
c. 820 CE
Al-Khwarizmi, a scholar at the House of Wisdom, writes his groundbreaking book on algebra.
1258 CE
The Mongol army, led by Hulagu Khan, captures and destroys Baghdad, burning its libraries and tragically ending the Golden Age.
Meet the Stars of Baghdad
Caliph al-Mansur
The Master Builder
Harun al-Rashid
The Legend
Al-Khwarizmi
The Math Magician
Banu Musa Brothers
The Inventors
The Path of the Gurus
The Sikh faith began with Guru Nanak and was shaped by ten Gurus. The tenth, Guru Gobind Singh, created the Khalsa, a community of soldier-saints who wear five articles of faith known as the Five Ks. Hover over or tap each ‘K’ to learn its meaning.
Kesh
Kangha
Kara
Kirpan
Kachhera
Hover to discover the Five Ks.
The Lion’s Kingdom
Founded by the brilliant **Maharaja Ranjit Singh**, the Sikh Empire was a powerful and tolerant kingdom in the Punjab. Ranjit Singh, known as the “Lion of Punjab,” united warring groups and modernized his military, creating the formidable Sikh Khalsa Army.
Remarkably, his government was secular. His Prime Minister and Finance Minister were Hindu, and his Foreign Minister was a Muslim. This inclusivity was key to the empire’s success.
The splendor of his court was legendary, featuring a golden throne and the famous **Koh-i-Noor** diamond. He also sponsored the gilding of the Harmandir Sahib, giving it the name we know today: the Golden Temple.
Diversity in Ranjit Singh’s Court (Key Ministers)
The Sikh Empire’s Timeline
1699 CE
Guru Gobind Singh creates the Khalsa, a community of soldier-saints.
1799 CE
A young warrior chief, Ranjit Singh, captures Lahore and makes it his capital.
1801 CE
Ranjit Singh is crowned Maharaja of the Punjab, officially beginning the Sikh Empire.
1839 CE
Maharaja Ranjit Singh dies, leading to a period of instability.
1849 CE
After two bloody wars with the British, the Punjab is annexed, ending the Sikh Empire.
Meet the Heroes of the Punjab
Guru Nanak
The First Guru
Guru Gobind Singh
Creator of the Khalsa
Maharaja Ranjit Singh
The Lion of Punjab
Hari Singh Nalwa
The Fearless General
History Quiz
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