Islamic Conquest: 640 AD – 1099 AD
At Motah, just south of the city of Kerak, was the first clash between the Arabs and the Byzantines. In 630 AD, near the Northern town of Um-Qais (Gadara), the battle of Yarmuk took place, leading the Ummayad caliphs to march onto Damascus where they established their capital. Amman continued to mint coins under the Ummayads, who built several palaces and hunting lodges in the Jordanian desert.
Ayyubid Period: 1174 AD – 1263 AD
The Rabadh Castle in Ajlun is just one example of Muslim military architecture during the Ayyoubid Period. Izzudin Usama, a prominent Muslim leader, was responsible for its construction. Another Islamic castle built by the Ayyoubids in this period can be found at Azraq.
Mamluk Period: 1263 AD – 1516 AD
Jordan witnessed great advancements in architecture and agriculture throughout the Mamluk Period. This prosperity was short-lived, however, when Al Ashraf Khalil, one of the successors of Azzahir Baibars, drove out the Crusaders from the country in 1290 AD. As a result, Jordan lost its strategic importance and subsequently found itself being neglected by the sultans. The reason for this decline was due to the Mamluk's main concern, namely to secure the pilgrim road.
Ottoman Period: 1516 AD – 1918 AD
The northern area of Jordan (the district of Ajlun) was the first to come under the Ottoman administration during the Ottoman Period. In 1851, the government decided to form a Kaza out of that area to be part of the Nablus district (Mutassarifieh). A governor was installed in the town of Irbid. The second area to come under ottoman authority was the central district of Belqa, in 1868. It was also decreed that it should become a Kaza under the governor of Nablus. The town of Salt became the seat of the governor. The southern area, Kerak and Ma'an, was placed under Nablus in name only. Later it became a district under the Wilayat of Syria. The district was enlarged to include Ma'an, Salt, Tebuk, and Madain Saleh.
Modern Age: 1920 AD – 2000 AD
In 1921, Britain recognized Transjordan as an independent state under its protection with Abdullah as its Emir. On May 25th 1946, Britain gave up its mandate on Transjordan and Jordan became the independent Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. On July 20th 1951, King Abdullah was assassinated in Jerusalem while praying. King Talal succeeded to the throne a few months.
In 1952, King Hussein succeeded on abdication of King Talal. During his reign of 47 years, King Hussein established the modern Jordan. He died on February 7, 1999 after a long suffer of Cancer, and was succeeded by King Abdallah II who was coronated on June 9, 1999.