NMC301H1

Religious Revolts, Popular Uprisings, and Internal Conflicts in Islamic History 610-1600 CE

This course is a survey of revolts, revolutions, and internal civil and political unrest in the Muslim world. Throughout the course students will examine several revolts, revolutions, and socio-religious movements from the earliest periods of Islamic history to the early 17th century. Lectures will examine both common and unique themes across these movements and the intersections of religious, political, social, racial, and economic factors within the broader context of the history of these revolts. Students will study the causes, justifications, events, and outcomes of revolts and internal conflicts. Through the lectures and readings (both primary sources in translation and scholarly publications) students will also examine the use of religion by both the rebels and authorities to legitimize their causes. The former using religion to express their social, economic, and political grievances against the perceived tyranny and injustice of the ruler(s); the latter to justify their rule and discredit the rebels as “heretics” or “heterodox” and as threats to both temporal and “divine" order.