Chapter 13: Tropical Africa and Asia, 1200-1500 Flashcards
Who was Ibn Battuta?
A young Muslim scholar from Morocco who set out to explore the Islamic world
The people of the Tropics were diverse, but united by what?
Islam, the tropical environment, and a network of land and sea trade routes
What characterizes the Tropics?
Monsoons, rainfall, dense rainforests, etc. In the northern Africa arid zone, it barely rained, however.
There was an uneven distribution of rainfall in the Tropics, which led to what?
The building of dams, canals, and reservoirs to provide year0round water.
How did the people of the Tropics obtain food?
Hunting, fishing, and gathering in C. Africa, the upper Himalayas, and seacoasts
Herding in arid areas
Agriculture in most of Africa, S and SE Asia
What were some mineral resources in the Tropics? What were they used for?
Iron, copper, and gold. Copper and gold were important in long0distance trade, while iron was the most abundant and useful, used for hoes, knives, spears, needles, nails, swords, etc.
Africa exported large amounts of gold.
What plants and animals spread?
Bananas, yams, cocoyams, and coffee
What did the Mali Sundiata do?
Fought and established the Mali Empire in 1240
Who was Mansa Kankan Musa and what did he do?
He was a Mali ruler who made a pilgrimage to Mecca, which gave him an opportunity to show his wealth.
Who was Sultan Iltutmish and what did he do?
He established the Delhi Sultanate as a Muslim state (previously Hindu) and designated his daughter Raziya as heir. She had a short rule due to prejudice against a woman ruler.
Who was Sultan Ala-ud-din Khalji and what did he do?
He increased control over outlying provinces and seized the rich trading state of Gujarat in 1298.
What happened in Delhi under Muhammad Ibn Tughluq?
Delhi underwent aggressive expansion and religious toleration, which his successor Firuz Shah reversed, alienating the Hindus by taxing Brahimins.
What threatened the Delhi Sultanate?
personal and religious rivalries within the Muslim elite and discontent of the Hindus.
The weakening of Delhi’s central authority did what?
Revived Mongol interests. Timur invaded and captured Delhi.
Why is the Delhi Sultanate important in the development of centralized political authority in India?
It established bureaucracy
Efforts were made to improve food production, promote trade and economic growth, as well as establish a common currency
Islam gradually acquired a permanent place in S. Asia
What was the cargo and passenger ship of the Arabian Sea?
The dhow.
Why was Aden important?
Its location was a central transit point for trade from the Persian Gulf, East Africa, and Egypt
Tropic places of worship were a blend of what?
Old tradition and new influence:
African and Indian mosques
Ethiopia’s native rock carving tradition- churches = built from solid rock
What impact did Islam have in India?
Arabic was used in writing for religious purposes, which led to the creation of Urdu, a Persian-influenced literary form of Hindu written in Arabic
Muslims introduced paper making
What spread Islam?
Trade and marriage. Single Muslim men on trade routes married local women and raised their kids Islamic.
What did Islam adapt to?
The cultures of penetrated religions. It developed African, Indonesian, and Indian varieties
What did conquests and commerce lead to?
Increased elite prosperity and slavery
How did Islam spread through the Delhi Sultanate?
Invasion, violence, and conquest
Why did the lower-caste system in Delhi convert to Islam?
They wanted more status and rights
Why was there a trade increase? (Monsoon mariners)
People wanted luxury goods.
What was Malacca?
An important trade imporium
