evidence: Qasr are desert palaces that emerged throughout the steppe during the Umayyad period. Contrary to their name, they are not all in deserts, nor are they all palaces. (ian: though most of them are.) [...] 2. The caliphs built qasr as a means of extending their power into the steppe. By building an impressive structure, they show their power visually to the nomads of the steppe, and potentially gain power over them as well. They may also have served the purpose of "making the desert bloom" that is, reclaiming harvestable land for the Umayyads. The qasr are mainly products of the Umayyads, as they do not continue into the Abassid period. They are significant for being another form of architecture and construction that the Umayyad undertook, and for their debatable purpose.