Feedback and advice

So I am thinking about writing a TL (not for sure!) and would like some feedback on what the site would like in terms of a TL. Currently what I am interested in writing on is either:

1. A Fall of the Abbasid TL covering the entire end phase of the Caliphahe and explore the possibilities of other states from that gaining power such as a new Caliphate rather than the Saljuq-Fatimid-Byzantium three way Cold War that followed.

Or

2. A more detailed TL on the Zanj rebellion and (with my meager writing skills) delve into the ideology and give voice to the Zanj rebellion and add some elements to Ali ibn Muhammad's life not always elaborated on in historical sources and a surviving Zanj rebel state. If so, I would start the narrative around the reign of al-Muwattakkil (847-861) and the lessening of the inquisition (Mihna) of the Mu'Tazila and proceeding into the court life of the Abbasid all the way to the Zanj rebellion, whilst also speaking on other world events as it pertained to 9th century Iraq.

So yea feedback or advice!
 
Honestly, I'd find both fascinating. Personally I'm more interested in the first one because it's in an era I care about a bit more... but for the same reason I'd also be interested in the second one. Eurocentric histories tend to gloss over the Early Middle Ages, and Sinocentric ones view the Tang and Song as a golden age but focus more on the Song, and it would be nice to see something that takes place in the 9c instead.
 
I know very little about either period, but I would second this as it instantly made me pop the topic into google to find out more!


Yes out of all Islamic history I find the fall of the Abbasid period to be the most interesting and the Zanj rebellion the most dramatic event of the fall.
 
If I did the Zanj rebellion, I would also cover the life and tragedy of the Caliph al-Muhtadi, the martyr Yahya ibn Umar, the life of Ali ibn Muhammad including his claims of being the successor of the Imam of the Shumaytiyya, parts of the Khurramiyah revolt, beginnings of the Qarmatians, etc... But mainly keeping it to Iraq.
 
I think that the Zanj rebellion would be interesting as a timeline, but I'd be interested in seeing one with a broader focus as well - rather than just Iraq. As others have mentioned, the time period doesn't get a whole lot of focus around here.
 
The Zanj revolt is an underrated topic for an Islamic PODs, go for it.


Indeed I am the only person on this site I know of, to really talk on it. Further there hasn't been a Khawarij topic or late Abbasid revolutionary discussion since Nastle (banned obv) put one up on Jamijan and Nahrawan.
 
I think that the Zanj rebellion would be interesting as a timeline, but I'd be interested in seeing one with a broader focus as well - rather than just Iraq. As others have mentioned, the time period doesn't get a whole lot of focus around here.


How broad? Mainly because I have very, very limited knowledge of Europe in this time period and really only know about Byzantium.
 
How broad? Mainly because I have very, very limited knowledge of Europe in this time period and really only know about Byzantium.

I wasn't suggesting yet another timeline that touches in depth on Europe or Byzantium, god knows we have enough of those. But wouldn't a Zanj timeline impact the rise of Ya'qub ibn al-Layth al-Saffar, among other things? That could be cool to explore.

But as others have said, let me reiterate, stick to what you're comfortable with. I'd very excited to see what you do regardless.
 
I wasn't suggesting yet another timeline that touches in depth on Europe or Byzantium, god knows we have enough of those. But wouldn't a Zanj timeline impact the rise of Ya'qub ibn al-Layth al-Saffar, among other things? That could be cool to explore.

But as others have said, let me reiterate, stick to what you're comfortable with. I'd very excited to see what you do regardless.


Interesting, a Saffarid-Zanj war. A very unique idea, Ya'qub ibn Layath is known well for being an enemy of the Khawarij and thus the Zanj.
 
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