866 The Turks revolt against Mustain and choose his brother, Motazz, caliph. Surrender of Motazz, who is put to death. He tries to free himself of the yoke of the Turkish soldiery.
869 The Turks besiege the caliph, who is imprisoned and dies. Mutahdi, son of Wathik, is chosen caliph. He tries in vain to reform the empire.
870 Mutahdi slain by the Turks. Mutamid, son of Mutawakkil, chosen as caliph. He reduces the power of the Turkish soldiery, and re-establishes capital at Baghdad.
872 The Tahirites overthrown in Persia, and the Saffarid dynasty founded. War with Byzantines recommences.
878 Akhmed b. Tulun, governor of Egypt, makes himself independent, and founds Tulunite dynasty that lasts until 905.
887-888 Mohammedan invasions of Asia Minor.
892 Death of Mutamid. His nephew, Mutadid, succeeds. Rise of the Karmathian sect, inimical to the pomp of the Baghdad court. Turkestan becomes independent under Samani, who afterwards conquers Persia and extinguishes the Saffarid dynasty.
894 The Karmathians having ravaged Mecca, the caliph rebuilds the city.
902 Death of Mutadid, leaving the throne to his son, Muktafi. Struggles with the Karmathians. They plunder the pilgrimage to Mecca and slay twenty thousand pilgrims. They are badly defeated and remain quiet for a while.