Muawiya was the first Umayyad caliph, ruling from 661 to 680 CE. He was born in 602 CE in Mecca and was a member of the Umayyad clan. Muawiya initially served as the governor of Syria under the caliphate of Uthman and played a significant role in the early Islamic expansion. After the assassination of Ali, the fourth caliph, Muawiya established the Umayyad dynasty, shifting the capital from Medina to Damascus. His reign is noted for administrative reforms and military campaigns, which helped solidify the Umayyad's power and influence across the Islamic world.