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The paper industry has a fascinating history in Islamic civilization. Let's delve into it:
**Origins of Paper in the Muslim World:**
- **China**: Initially, paper was brought to the Muslim world from China. After the Battle of Talas in 751, Chinese prisoners revealed the secret of papermaking to the Muslims.
- **Development**: The Muslims transformed paper from an art into a major industry. They used linen as a substitute for mulberry bark (which the Chinese used). Linen rags were disintegrated, saturated with water, and fermented. An improved method of maceration, the trip hammer, was invented by the Muslims.
- **Spread**: Many paper mills were established in Baghdad, and the industry spread globally. Damascus became a major source of paper supply to Europe, leading to increased availability and better quality paper.
- **Impact**: Muslim papermaking revolutionized book production and paved the way for the invention of printing¹².
**Baghdad's Role:**
- By the middle of the ninth century, Baghdad's Papersellers' Street had over a hundred shops selling paper and books. Medieval Islamic society had a paper economy, where merchants conducted commerce on credit².
The journey from China to Baghdad and beyond transformed paper into a powerful medium, shaping knowledge dissemination and cultural exchange.
#islam
#quran
#prophet
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#bagdadsharif
#china
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