Agriculture in the medieval Islamic world History of Islamic economics

from 8th century 13th century in muslim lands many crops , plants planted along muslim trade routes, farming techniques spread. in addition changes in economy, population distribution, vegetation cover, agricultural production, population levels, urban growth, distribution of labour force, , numerous other aspects of life in islamic world affected according andrew watson. disputed other scholars, claim cultivation , consumption of staples such durum wheat, asiatic rice, , sorghum cotton commonplace centuries before, or agricultural production declined in areas brought under muslim rule in middle ages.

the demographics of medieval islamic society varied in significant aspects other agricultural societies, including decline in birth rates change in life expectancy. other traditional agrarian societies estimated have had average life expectancy of 20 25 years, while ancient rome , medieval europe estimated @ 20 30 years. conrad i. lawrence estimates average lifespan in islamic caliphate above 35 years general population, , several studies on lifespans of islamic scholars concluded members of occupational group enjoyed life expectancy between 69 , 75 years, though longevity not representative of general population.

the islamic empire had highest literacy rates among pre-modern societies, alongside city of classical athens in 4th century bc, , later, china after introduction of printing 10th century. 1 factor relatively high literacy rates in islamic empire parent-driven educational marketplace, state did not systematically subsidize educational services until introduction of state funding under nizam al-mulk in 11th century. factor diffusion of paper china, led efflorescence of books , written culture in islamic society, papermaking technology transformed islamic society (and later, rest of afro-eurasia) oral scribal culture, comparable later shifts scribal typographic culture, , typographic culture internet. other factors include widespread use of paper books in islamic society (more other existing society), study , memorization of qur an, flourishing commercial activity, , emergence of maktab , madrasah educational institutions.