"The political fragmentation of the Abbasid Caliphate after the ninth century did not signal a cultural or intellectual retreat for Islamic society. Instead, the decentralization of authority led to the emergence of regional courts—such as those of the Samanids, Seljuks, and Mamluks—that actively competed for prestige. To legitimize their newly established regimes, these regional rulers established networks of colleges (*madrasas*) and generously patronized scientists, poets, and philosophers. Consequently, the dissemination of scientific and philosophical knowledge intensified, even as the political unity of the caliphate crumbled."
—Adapted from a modern historical study of medieval Islamic institutions
Which of the following developments in the period circa 1200 to 1450 best supports the author's argument in the passage?
- AThe widespread decline of mathematical and philosophical scholarship following the political fragmentation of the caliphate.
- The continued flourishing of scientific and medical research in regional capitals such as Cairo and Delhi.Answer
- CThe stagnation of architectural and cultural achievements as regional rulers prioritized military spending.
- DThe collapse of educational networks and trade routes, which isolated scholars from the wider Afro-Eurasian world.