In which period did Islam spread in Africa? Discuss its influence on the African civilization.
HistoryClass 11CBSEAnswered 27 Mar 2026
Answer
Islam spread in Africa during 8th to 16th century. In the beginning, it spread in the coastal areas of Eastern Africa. Later on it spread in Mali, Hausa, Aksum and Sudan. Islamic influence on African civilization:
- Trade was the backbone of economy. People earned a lot of money through trade and they became well-off.
- Due to Islamic influence, a number of mosques, forts and tombs were constructed.
- Due to the mixture of Bantu and Arabic languages, the Swahili language developed.
- Due to Islamic influence, African states became centres of Islamic learning, education and culture.
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