01.03 The Expansion Of Islam

The Mughal Empire was established by Akbar Babur Ali Fatima Points earned on this question: 5

In the 11th century, ____________ brought Islam to India. Missionaries Caliphs Traders Crusaders Points earned on this question: 5

How did the Islamic Empire impact the areas it ruled? Jews and Christians in Islamic areas were elevated to the highest social status. Islamic rulers had little impact, as they primarily let existing governments continue their rule. Many people in lands subject to Muslim rule adopted Islam. Islamic rulers neglected infrastructure and left areas like Baghdad in ruins. Points earned on this question: 5

"The city of Baghdad formed two vast semi-circles on the right and left banks of the Tigris, twelve miles in diameter. The numerous suburbs, covered with parks, gardens, villas and beautiful promenades, and plentifully supplied with rich bazaars, and finely built mosques and baths, stretched for a considerable distance on both sides of the river. In the days of its prosperity the population of Baghdad and its suburbs amounted to over two millions! ...The long wide estrades at the different gates of the city were used by the citizens for gossip and recreation or for watching the flow of travelers and country folk into the capital. The different nationalities in the capital had each a head officer to represent their interests with the government, and to whom the stranger could appeal for counsel or help." —William Stearns Davis, ed., Readings in Ancient History: Illustrative Extracts from the Sources, 2 Vols. (Boston: Allyn and Bacon, 1912-13), Vol. II: Rome and the West, pp. 365-367 Considering this excerpt written by the Arab geographer Yakut in the 13th century, what can we say about Islamic Baghdad at that time? It tolerated a diverse population. It forbade the practice of other religions. It excluded non-Muslims from the city. It imposed laws to limit the rights of non-Muslims. Points earned on this question: 5

"Andalus (the Iberian peninsula), which was conquered in the year 92 of the Hijra, continued for many years to be a dependency of the Eastern Khalifate, until it was snatched away from their hands by one of the surviving members of the family of Umeyyah (Umayyad), who, crossing over from Barbary, subdued the country, and formed therein an independent kingdom, which he transmitted to his posterity. During three centuries and a half, Andalus, governed by the princes of this dynasty, reached the utmost degree of power and prosperity, until civil war breaking out among its inhabitants, the Muslims, weakened by internal discord, became every where the prey of the artful Christians, and the territory of Islam was considerably reduced, so much so that at the present moment the worshippers of the crucified hold the greatest part of Andalus in their hands, and their country is divided into various powerful kingdoms, whose rulers assist each other whenever the Muslims attack their territories." —Ibn Said, Book of the Maghrib, in Ahmed ibm Mohammed al-Makkari, The History of the Mohammedan Dynasties in Spain, translated by Pascuual de Gayangos s, (London: Oriental Translation Fund, 1840), 1, 95-102 According to this source, why did Muslim al-Andalus fall? It fell because the Umayyads lost their hold on the Arab Empire. It fell because the divisions within the empire made it vulnerable to attack. It fell because of the superior military forces of the Christian Crusaders. It fell because Muslims from the Eastern Khalifate conquered its lands. Points earned on this question: 5

What was the significance of the battle at Poitiers in France in 732 CE? It prevented Muslim armies from reaching the continent of Europe. It showed that European powers were willing to accept Islamic expansion into France. It showed that Europeans were unwilling to allow further Islamic expansion into Europe. It finally drove remaining Islamic forces out of Spain. Points earned on this question: 5

Which of the following best describes how European powers responded to Islamic expansion? Europeans sought to convert the Arab people to Christianity to counteract Islamic influence. Europeans were desperate to get to China before the Chinese were converted to Islam. Europeans viewed the spread of Islam as a threat, and actively worked to stop it. Europeans cut off all trade with the Islamic Empire. Points earned on this question: 5

If you traveled to the Spanish city of Córdoba in the 10th century, which of the following would you not find? A prosperous trading and religious center A population larger than Paris, France A government free from Islamic influence A cultural center for the region Points earned on this question: 5