Question

Why did the Muslims create Baghdad as a new capital city?

a) To establish dominance over Europe
b) To compete with Constantinople
c) To facilitate trade with China
d) To centralize power in the Islamic empire

Answer 1

The correct answer is option d) To centralize power in the Islamic empire.

Step-by-step explanation:

The reason why the Muslims under the Abbasid Caliphate created Baghdad as a new capital city was to centralize power in the Islamic empire and shift its focus eastward. Especially with the dominance of Khurasan and the Islamic East during the rise of the Abbasids, positioning the capital closer to these regions made strategic sense. Baghdad, a planned city built on the fertile banks of the Tigris River, benefited from the wealth and administrative efficiencies and became a thriving hub of trade and culture, eclipsing other notable cities of the time.

The influence of Persian language, culture, and administration played a significant role in this decision, given the integration of those elements into the Abbasid empire. Moreover, the city served as a nexus connecting the extensive trade networks that spanned from the Mediterranean to China, facilitating economic prosperity and cultural diffusion.