askhistorians

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I'm an average Muslim city dweller in medieval central asia. The Quran and Hadiths have been compiled. From a legal perspective, how prevalent were Sassanid era laws and customs and how were they changed by the introduction of Islam?	20
With Italy liberated in 1943, why did the Allies chose to attack from northern France? Why not continue through southern Germany?	19
Attar's 'Conference of the Birds' was written in Iran, possibly in 1177 and features many tales of Mahmud of Ghazni, who ruled Afghanistan around the year 1000. Do we know why he places so much attention on this particular king? Would average readers at the time have knowledge of regional history?	18
What was the state of cultural interaction between medieval China and Islamic Central Asia? Is there any Chinese equivalent of Alberuni’s India?	18
The Taj Mahal, built by muslim rulers, has become synonymous with India, at least from an American perspective. How do post-Partition Hindus feel about their nation being represented by muslim architecture?	18
During the Abbasid caliphate, how widespread was literacy? Also, was there any barrier to obtaining a Quran?	17
After the rest of Iran had been conquered by Arab Muslims in the 7th century AD, the northern area along the Elburz Mountains and Caspian coast remained Iranian and Zoroastrian. How were Arab Muslims treated here? Were Muslims able to practice their religion as a minority?	17
What was the state of trade on the Caspian Sea during the middle ages?	15
Central asia had well developed paper manufacturing capabilities long before the Battle of Talas (751) and was renowned for their trading capabilities. Why then was paper not used further west until after Abbasid armies clashed with the Chinese?	15
Is there historical basis behind the mythical kings in the Shahnameh?	15

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