UMAYYAD.Hisham.(724-743).Wasit (واسط) 121 AH.Dirham.

Obv : لا اله الا / الله وحده / لا شريك له.(There is no god but / Allah alone / He has no partner.).
Arabic legend.

Rev : الله احد الله / الصمد لم يلد و/ لم يولد و لم يكن / له كفوا احد.(Allah is One, Allah / the Eternal Refuge / He neither begets nor / is born, and there is none / equal to Him.).
Arabic legend.
Album 137.

Condition : Very good condition with sharp features and nice patina.Extrelemy fine.

Material : Silver.
Axis : 9h

Weight : 2.82 gr
Diameter : 25 mm

Wasit, a historic city located in present-day Iraq, played a significant role during the Umayyad Caliphate. Founded by Al-Hajjaj ibn Yusuf, a prominent governor under the Umayyads, Wasit was established around 702 CE as an administrative and military center. Its strategic position on the Tigris River made it a key location for governing the eastern provinces of the caliphate, particularly Iraq and Persia.

The location of Wasit, midway between Basra and Kufa, was selected for its proximity to major trade routes and its defensible position. Al-Hajjaj intended the city to serve as a military garrison for loyal troops, helping to control the often rebellious populations of Iraq. Wasit became a fortified city, featuring strong walls, a citadel, and barracks for soldiers, serving both as a military base and a place for administration.

Wasit was planned as a purpose-built city, reflecting the urban architectural styles of the Umayyad period. The city was laid out with precision, including wide streets and large public buildings. Its most notable structures included the central mosque, which is said to have been among the earliest examples of Umayyad mosque architecture, as well as a palace for the governor and homes for the city’s elite. The city’s design was symbolic of the caliphate’s power and reflected the centralized control that the Umayyads sought to exert over their territories.

Economically, Wasit flourished due to its position on the Tigris River, which allowed it to become a hub for trade and commerce. Goods from across the caliphate and beyond passed through Wasit, including luxury items like silks, spices, and precious metals. The city also benefited from its agricultural surroundings, with fertile lands irrigated by the river contributing to the local economy.

Wasit’s coin mint, established to produce Umayyad dinars and dirhams, played a vital role in the region's economy. The coins minted in Wasit were circulated widely across the Islamic world, symbolizing the city’s economic importance. Many of these coins have been discovered by archaeologists, providing valuable insights into the city’s role in the monetary system of the Umayyad caliphate.

Under the Umayyads, Wasit also grew as a center of religious and intellectual life. Al-Hajjaj, though a controversial figure in Islamic history, contributed to the stabilization and spread of Islamic governance. The city became a center for Islamic jurisprudence and scholarship, attracting scholars, poets, and legal experts.

The central mosque of Wasit was not only a place of worship but also a meeting point for scholars and students. Religious and legal discussions held in the mosque contributed to the intellectual culture of the time, influencing Islamic thought in the region.

Wasit began to decline after the fall of the Umayyad dynasty in 750 CE, as the Abbasids, who overthrew the Umayyads, shifted the center of power to Baghdad. The city slowly lost its political and economic significance, and by the medieval period, it had largely fallen into ruins.

Today, the ruins of Wasit provide a glimpse into its former glory. Archaeological excavations at the site have uncovered remnants of the city’s walls, its mosque, and other public buildings, offering valuable insights into Umayyad urban planning and governance. Wasit’s legacy as a major Umayyad center remains important in the study of early Islamic history and architecture.

Wasit was more than just a military outpost; it was a vibrant urban center that played a key role in the governance, economy, and cultural life of the Umayyad caliphate. Its founding by Al-Hajjaj ibn Yusuf marked a significant moment in the development of early Islamic cities, and its remains continue to be a subject of fascination for historians and archaeologists alike.