Write a detailed account of two battles under the caliphate of ‘Umar.

Mark scheme

Marking points from the official mark scheme (May/June 2018). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

1. Many battles were fought during the caliphate of ‘Umar. Candidates need to choose two battles and write about them in detail.
2. Dates, names of the commanders, events of the battle, their outcomes, etc., are facts which, when written about and discussed, will earn the candidates marks. As in all descriptive responses, the comprehensiveness of the answer will earn the higher level. Notes on the battles fought during 'Umar's caliphate will be provided for examiners' reference.
3. In the response given to this question, candidates have to evaluate and say why they think the battles discussed in Part (a) by them were in their opinion the most important. They can do this by discussing the outcome of the two selected battles and how they impacted the Islamic empire, and focus on their importance.