Modern Era
18th Century CE - Present
32 articles: 14 persons, 8 concepts, 5 dynastys, 3 places, 1 event, 1 building
The contemporary period of Islamic history, from the colonial era through independence movements to the present day.
Ali Khamenei
Comprehensive history of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Supreme Leader of Iran since 1989, his role in shaping the Islamic Republic, and his influence on Iranian and regional politics
Allama Iqbal: The Poet-Philosopher of the East
Allama Muhammad Iqbal (1877-1938 CE) was a poet-philosopher and political leader considered the spiritual father of Pakistan. His poetry, philosophical works, and vision of Islamic revival profoundly influenced the Muslim world.
Askia Muhammad - The Great Reformer of the Songhai Empire
Askia Muhammad I (c. 1443-1538 CE) was the most important ruler of the Songhai Empire. He transformed Songhai into the largest empire in African history, implemented Islamic reforms, and promoted Islamic scholarship in Timbuktu.
Delhi Sultanate: Islamic Rule in Medieval India
The Delhi Sultanate (1206-1526 CE) was a series of five successive Islamic dynasties that ruled northern India for over three centuries, establishing Muslim political power in the subcontinent, creating a unique Indo-Islamic culture, and leaving an enduring architectural and administrative legacy.
Egypt: From Pharaonic Civilization to Modern Islamic State
Egypt's transformation from Pharaonic civilization through Islamic conquest to become a center of Islamic learning and modern Arab leadership, with Al-Azhar's enduring religious authority and pivotal role in Islamic history.
Fall of the [Ottoman Empire](/articles/ottoman-empire)
Comprehensive history of the decline and dissolution of the Ottoman Empire from the 19th century through World War I to the establishment of the Turkish Republic in 1923
Growth of Islamic Finance
A comprehensive overview of the development and expansion of Islamic finance from its modern origins in the 1960s to its current global presence as a multi-trillion-dollar industry serving both Muslim and non-Muslim populations worldwide.
Hyder Ali - The Rise of Mysore's Greatest Ruler
The extraordinary life and reign of Hyder Ali, the military genius who transformed the [Kingdom of Mysore](/articles/kingdom-of-mysore) from a small principality into a formidable power that challenged British colonial expansion in 18th century India.
Iran (Persia): From Ancient Empire to Islamic Republic
A comprehensive exploration of Iran's transformation from the ancient Sassanian Empire through Islamic conquest to the modern Islamic Republic, examining its unique Shi'a identity, religious leadership structure, and profound impact on Islamic civilization and culture.
Islam in Africa - Historical and Contemporary Overview
A comprehensive overview of Islam's presence across Africa, from its early arrival in North and East Africa to its spread across the Sahel and sub-Saharan regions, covering diverse African Muslim communities, their contributions to Islamic civilization, and contemporary challenges and achievements.
Islam in Europe - Historical and Contemporary Overview
A comprehensive overview of Islam's presence in Europe from medieval times to the present, covering historical Muslim territories, modern immigration, integration challenges, and the diverse Muslim communities that call Europe home today.
Islam in North America - Historical and Contemporary Overview
A comprehensive overview of Islam's presence in North America, from early Muslim slaves and immigrants to the diverse Muslim communities of today, including indigenous Islamic movements, immigration patterns, and contemporary challenges and contributions.
Islam in Southeast Asia - Historical and Contemporary Overview
A comprehensive overview of Islam's presence in Southeast Asia, from its peaceful arrival through trade routes to becoming the dominant religion in the world's most populous Muslim region, covering Indonesia, Malaysia, Brunei, southern Philippines, and Muslim minorities across the region.
Islamic Education in the Modern Era
A comprehensive overview of Islamic education from the 19th century to the present, covering traditional institutions, modern reforms, integration with secular education, and contemporary challenges and innovations in Islamic learning worldwide.
Islamic Ethiopia - Islam in the Horn of Africa
Islamic Ethiopia encompasses the rich history of Islam in the Horn of Africa, from the first Hijra when early Muslims sought refuge in the Christian Kingdom of Axum in 615 CE, through the rise of powerful Islamic sultanates like Ifat and Adal, to the diverse Muslim communities that comprise roughly one-third of modern Ethiopia's population. This unique Islamic tradition developed in close proximity to ancient Christian civilization, creating complex patterns of coexistence, conflict, and cultural exchange.
Jamal al-Din al-Afghani: The Revolutionary Pan-Islamist
Jamal al-Din al-Afghani (1838-1897 CE) was a revolutionary Islamic thinker and Pan-Islamist who advocated for Islamic unity, anti-colonialism, and reform. His ideas profoundly influenced modern Islamic political thought and inspired generations of reformers.
Kingdom of Mysore - Dynasty and State Overview
An overview of the Kingdom of Mysore, its transformation from a small principality under the Wodeyar dynasty to a major South Indian power under Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan, and its ultimate incorporation into British India.
Major Mosques Built in the 20th Century
A comprehensive overview of significant mosques constructed during the 20th century, showcasing architectural innovation, cultural significance, and the global expansion of Islamic communities across six continents.
Modern Islamic History (1800-2024)
A comprehensive overview of Islamic history from 1800 to 2024, covering the decline of traditional Islamic empires, colonial period, independence movements, establishment of modern Muslim nations, and contemporary developments in the Islamic world.
Muhammad Abduh: Pioneer of Islamic Modernism
Muhammad Abduh (1849-1905 CE) was an Egyptian Islamic scholar and reformer who pioneered Islamic modernism. As Grand Mufti of Egypt, he reconciled Islamic teachings with modern thought and influenced generations of Muslim intellectuals.
Muhammad Ali Pasha - Founder of Modern [Egypt](/articles/egypt)
Muhammad Ali Pasha (1769-1849 CE) transformed Egypt into a regional power through military, economic, and administrative reforms. Founder of modern Egypt, he established a dynasty that ruled until 1952 and created the institutional foundations of the Egyptian state.
Nana Asma'u - Scholar, Poet, and Educator
Nana Asma'u bint Usman dan Fodio was a 19th-century West African scholar, poet, and educator in the Sokoto Caliphate. Daughter of Usman dan Fodio, she wrote prolifically in Arabic, Fulfulde, and Hausa, and established an innovative women's education network across West Africa.
Omar al-Mukhtar: The Lion of the Desert
Omar al-Mukhtar (1858-1931) was a Libyan resistance leader who fought Italian colonization for over twenty years. Known as the 'Lion of the Desert,' he became a symbol of anti-colonial resistance and Islamic steadfastness, leading guerrilla warfare until his capture and execution at age 73.
Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC)
A comprehensive overview of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, the world's second-largest intergovernmental organization representing 57 Muslim-majority countries, covering its history, structure, objectives, achievements, and role in contemporary global affairs.
Razia Sultana: The First Female Sultan of Delhi
Razia Sultana (1205-1240 CE) was the first and only female Sultan of the [Delhi Sultanate](/articles/delhi-sultanate), ruling from 1236 to 1240 CE. She demonstrated exceptional administrative skill and military leadership, though her reign was cut short by opposition from nobles.
Shah Waliullah Dehlawi
Shah Waliullah Dehlawi (1703-1762 CE), pioneering Indian Islamic scholar and reformer who revitalized Islamic thought through synthesis of Islamic sciences, emphasis on ijtihad, and efforts to bridge sectarian divisions.
The Mughal Empire: Three Centuries of Islamic Rule in the Indian Subcontinent
The Mughal Empire (1526-1857) ruled most of the Indian subcontinent for three centuries, creating a distinctive Indo-Islamic civilization with magnificent architecture, sophisticated administration, and lasting cultural achievements blending Persian, Central Asian, and Indian traditions.
The Safavid Dynasty: Architects of Persian Shi'a Identity and Cultural Renaissance
The Safavid Dynasty (1501-1736 CE) transformed Persia into a Shi'a empire, establishing Twelver Shi'ism as the state religion and presiding over a remarkable cultural, artistic, and architectural renaissance that shaped Iranian identity for centuries to come.
Timur (Tamerlane): The Iron Conqueror
Timur (1336-1405 CE), known in the West as Tamerlane, was a Turco-Mongol conqueror who founded the [Timurid Empire](/articles/timurid-empire), creating one of the largest empires in history through his military campaigns across Central Asia, Persia, and India.
Timurid Empire: The Last Great Nomadic Empire
The Timurid Empire (1370-1507 CE) was a vast Central Asian empire founded by Timur that became a major center of Islamic culture, art, and learning, bridging the medieval and early modern periods of Islamic civilization.
Tipu Sultan - The Tiger of Mysore
The life and reign of Tipu Sultan, the legendary Tiger of Mysore, who continued his father Hyder Ali's resistance against British colonialism and became one of the most celebrated figures in Indian history for his courage, innovations, and ultimate sacrifice for independence.
Ulugh Beg: The Astronomer Prince
Ulugh Beg (1394-1449 CE) was a Timurid prince, astronomer, and mathematician who ruled [Samarkand](/articles/samarkand) and built one of the world's most advanced observatories, making groundbreaking contributions to astronomy and science.