In the heart of Iraq, where the Tigris River’s ancient waters dance through the land of myth and history, lies a city that defies time itself. Baghdad, founded on July 30, 762 CE by the visionary Abbasid Caliph Al-Mansur, is more than just a place on the map—it is an enduring testament to human ambition, intellectual brilliance, and cultural resilience. A city birthed from the dream to rival the likes of Constantinople and Rome, Baghdad has always been, and remains, the embodiment of contrasts—an ageless nexus where the past and the present intertwine.

My own odyssey with Baghdad began in August 2007, when I first stepped onto its soil. What unfolded over the next 13 years was not just a professional journey but a profound immersion into the city’s living history, where each street, each market, and each whispered conversation carried the weight of a thousand stories. This was a city both scarred and shaped by the cycles of conflict and rebirth, but with a spirit that remained as unyielding as the Tigris itself.

The Birth of Baghdad: A Visionary’s Dream

Baghdad’s story begins not just with the rise of the Abbasid Caliphate in 750 CE, but with the vision of Al-Mansur, whose ambition was nothing less than the creation of a city that would define the future of Islamic civilisation. Chosen for its strategic location on the banks of the Tigris River, near the ruins of ancient Ctesiphon, the city was to serve not only as a seat of power but as a beacon of knowledge and culture.

In the heart of the Abbasid domain, Al-Mansur laid the foundation for a city that would soon become synonymous with intellectual and artistic flourishing. Named Madinat al-Salam—the “City of Peace”—Baghdad’s rebirth was a deliberate act of cultural and political reclamation, harkening back to the city’s pre-Islamic origins while setting the stage for a new era of power and influence.

The Round City: An Architectural Marvel

The city’s design was a direct reflection of its creator’s grand vision. With its circular layout, Baghdad symbolised unity, eternity, and cosmic order. At the centre of this architectural masterpiece stood the caliph’s palace, flanked by military barracks and administrative buildings. Towering walls—over 100 feet high—encircled the city, safeguarding it from external threats, while a deep moat and battlements served as both defensive barriers and symbols of the city’s unshakable strength.

By 766 CE, the construction of the Round City was completed, and Baghdad began to take shape as the epicentre of the Islamic world. As the city expanded, its reputation as a hub of intellectual and cultural exchange grew. Scholars, scientists, and artists from across the Islamic world and beyond were drawn to Baghdad, contributing to its rise as the intellectual capital of the region.

The Golden Age: Baghdad’s Intellectual Renaissance

The 9th century saw Baghdad at its zenith under Caliph Harun al-Rashid. The city became a centre of learning, where scholars translated ancient texts from Greek, Persian, and Sanskrit, preserving the knowledge of the ancient world. The House of Wisdom (Bayt al-Hikmah) stood as the nucleus of this intellectual revolution, attracting the finest minds in fields as diverse as mathematics, astronomy, medicine, and philosophy.

In this period of unparalleled achievement, Baghdad embodied the very spirit of cultural and intellectual prosperity. It was here that many of the tales from One Thousand and One Nights took root—stories that continue to captivate the imagination and transport us to a world of magic, wisdom, and wonder.

The Mongol Invasion: A Tragic Turning Point

But as with all great civilisations, Baghdad’s fortune was to falter. In 1258, the city fell to the Mongols under Hulagu Khan, marking the brutal end of the Abbasid Caliphate. The siege lasted two weeks, leaving the city in ruins and bringing a halt to the intellectual flourishing of the Golden Age. The legendary Bayt al-Hikmah was looted and burned, its invaluable manuscripts lost to the flames, and with them, the cultural legacy of an entire era.

Yet even in the aftermath of this catastrophic loss, Baghdad’s spirit remained unbroken. Though it would face centuries of conquest, upheaval, and change, the city’s status as a cultural and political centre in the Middle East would never be entirely diminished.

My Time in Baghdad: A Journey Through Resilience

Spending over a decade in Baghdad, I witnessed firsthand the city’s remarkable resilience—a resilience that was woven into the fabric of its people. The Baghdad I encountered was not the bustling intellectual epicentre it once was, but it was still a city of profound identity and history. Amid the scars of war and the weight of political instability, Baghdad continued to pulse with life and hope.

In its labyrinthine markets, I found the spirit of commerce and community alive and thriving. In quiet moments by the Tigris, I saw the city’s ancient beauty still reflected in the slow, steady flow of the river—unchanged by the passing of time, as it has always been. Though the challenges were many, there was always an unshakable pride in the resilience of its people.

I was fortunate enough to experience Baghdad not just as a foreign visitor but as someone who became a part of the city’s fabric. From navigating the bustling markets of Karrada to enjoying quiet moments by the Tigris, every day in Baghdad was a reminder of the city’s timeless beauty and indomitable spirit.

Legacy of Baghdad: A City of Resilience & Transformation

Today, Baghdad remains a vibrant metropolis, a city that balances the modern with the ancient. Its streets, filled with the hum of daily life, stand alongside monuments to its glorious past—mosques, museums, and historical sites that narrate the saga of a city that has withstood the test of time.

Reflecting on my years in Baghdad, I find myself filled with gratitude for the lessons it taught me. In the face of war, political turmoil, and economic hardship, Baghdad continues to be a city of endurance, a beacon of human resilience. Its legacy—marked by cycles of creation, destruction, and rebirth—speaks to the strength of the human spirit and the unyielding power of knowledge.

Baghdad, in all its complexity, is a city whose story is far from finished. It is a living testament to the transformative power of culture, intellect, and perseverance. And it will forever remain etched in my heart as a symbol of both the fragility and endurance of human achievement.