Islamic ExplorationIslamic Exploration

History of IslamHistory of Islam

• 622: hijra, hegira• 630: return to Mecca• 632: Death of Muhammad• -750 rapid expansion of Islam,

Arabic language and culture

• 622: hijra, hegira• 630: return to Mecca• 632: Death of Muhammad• -750 rapid expansion of Islam,

Arabic language and culture

Islamic Astronomical KnowledgeIslamic Astronomical Knowledge• Inheritors of Greek and Hellenistic

knowledge• Indian and Persian knowledge• Book of Fixed Stars• astrolabe

• Inheritors of Greek and Hellenistic knowledge

• Indian and Persian knowledge• Book of Fixed Stars• astrolabe

Book of Fixed StarsBook of Fixed Stars

Early Islamic astrolabe, 10th c, SOAS

How to use and astrolabe

Islamic cartographyIslamic cartography

• Some Persian inheritance– kishvars

• Inheritors of Greco-Hellenistic knowledge

• Bahlki school– Production of world maps, regional

maps, atlases• Ad-Idrisi school• Books of Curiosities

• Some Persian inheritance– kishvars

• Inheritors of Greco-Hellenistic knowledge

• Bahlki school– Production of world maps, regional

maps, atlases• Ad-Idrisi school• Books of Curiosities

KishvarsKishvars

Fusion Geography!Fusion Geography!

Islamic TradeIslamic Trade

• Pax Islamica• Arab Empire as world’s leading

economic power (until 13th c)• Trade between Charlemagne and

Harun al-Rashid

• Pax Islamica• Arab Empire as world’s leading

economic power (until 13th c)• Trade between Charlemagne and

Harun al-Rashid

Islamic TravellersIslamic Travellers

• Ibn Battuta (c. 1304-1369)– Rihla

• Mansa Musa (r. 1312-1330? 1337?)

• Ibn Battuta (c. 1304-1369)– Rihla

• Mansa Musa (r. 1312-1330? 1337?)

Manu IManu I