id
stringlengths
24
24
question
stringlengths
1
270
answer
stringlengths
1
239
documents
listlengths
1
1
572f9ff2a23a5019007fc7e0
What were the walls that encompassed the city of Luoyang comprised of?
rammed-earth
[ "Han_dynasty\n\nThough Han wooden structures decayed, some Han-dynasty ruins made of brick, stone, and rammed earth remain intact. This includes stone pillar-gates, brick tomb chambers, rammed-earth city walls, rammed-earth and brick beacon towers, rammed-earth sections of the Great Wall, rammed-earth platforms whe...
572f9ff2a23a5019007fc7e1
What type of system used ceramic water pipes?
drainage systems
[ "Han_dynasty\n\nThough Han wooden structures decayed, some Han-dynasty ruins made of brick, stone, and rammed earth remain intact. This includes stone pillar-gates, brick tomb chambers, rammed-earth city walls, rammed-earth and brick beacon towers, rammed-earth sections of the Great Wall, rammed-earth platforms whe...
572fa326b2c2fd1400568269
What type of scholars have provided proof that mechanical engineering was prominent during the Han period?
Confucian
[ "Han_dynasty\n\nEvidence of Han-era mechanical engineering comes largely from the choice observational writings of sometimes disinterested Confucian scholars. Professional artisan-engineers (jiang 匠) did not leave behind detailed records of their work. Han scholars, who often had little or no expertise in mechanica...
572fa326b2c2fd140056826a
Which philosopher described the invention of a belt drive?
Yang Xiong
[ "Han_dynasty\n\nEvidence of Han-era mechanical engineering comes largely from the choice observational writings of sometimes disinterested Confucian scholars. Professional artisan-engineers (jiang 匠) did not leave behind detailed records of their work. Han scholars, who often had little or no expertise in mechanica...
572fa326b2c2fd140056826b
Which engineer was responsible for first inventing the zoetrope lamp?
Ding Huan
[ "Han_dynasty\n\nEvidence of Han-era mechanical engineering comes largely from the choice observational writings of sometimes disinterested Confucian scholars. Professional artisan-engineers (jiang 匠) did not leave behind detailed records of their work. Han scholars, who often had little or no expertise in mechanica...
572fa326b2c2fd140056826c
What can be used as a support structure in incense burners?
gimbals
[ "Han_dynasty\n\nEvidence of Han-era mechanical engineering comes largely from the choice observational writings of sometimes disinterested Confucian scholars. Professional artisan-engineers (jiang 匠) did not leave behind detailed records of their work. Han scholars, who often had little or no expertise in mechanica...
572fa326b2c2fd140056826d
What type of invention was used to provide air conditioning for the palace buildings?
rotary fan
[ "Han_dynasty\n\nEvidence of Han-era mechanical engineering comes largely from the choice observational writings of sometimes disinterested Confucian scholars. Professional artisan-engineers (jiang 匠) did not leave behind detailed records of their work. Han scholars, who often had little or no expertise in mechanica...
572fa4aeb2c2fd1400568287
During which period was the odometer cart first created?
Han
[ "Han_dynasty\n\nModern archaeology has led to the discovery of Han artwork portraying inventions which were otherwise absent in Han literary sources. As observed in Han miniature tomb models, but not in literary sources, the crank handle was used to operate the fans of winnowing machines that separated grain from c...
572fa4aeb2c2fd1400568288
What item was used to make very small measurements during this era?
sliding metal calipers
[ "Han_dynasty\n\nModern archaeology has led to the discovery of Han artwork portraying inventions which were otherwise absent in Han literary sources. As observed in Han miniature tomb models, but not in literary sources, the crank handle was used to operate the fans of winnowing machines that separated grain from c...
572fa4aeb2c2fd1400568289
What has allowed us to discover long lost inventions of the Han era?
artwork
[ "Han_dynasty\n\nModern archaeology has led to the discovery of Han artwork portraying inventions which were otherwise absent in Han literary sources. As observed in Han miniature tomb models, but not in literary sources, the crank handle was used to operate the fans of winnowing machines that separated grain from c...
572fa4aeb2c2fd140056828a
What was used to separate parts of grain?
winnowing machines
[ "Han_dynasty\n\nModern archaeology has led to the discovery of Han artwork portraying inventions which were otherwise absent in Han literary sources. As observed in Han miniature tomb models, but not in literary sources, the crank handle was used to operate the fans of winnowing machines that separated grain from c...
572fa4aeb2c2fd140056828b
What use did the odometer cart provide?
measured journey lengths
[ "Han_dynasty\n\nModern archaeology has led to the discovery of Han artwork portraying inventions which were otherwise absent in Han literary sources. As observed in Han miniature tomb models, but not in literary sources, the crank handle was used to operate the fans of winnowing machines that separated grain from c...
572fa64db2c2fd14005682ab
What was used to power chain pumps to raise water to irrigation ditches?
Waterwheels
[ "Han_dynasty\n\nThe waterwheel appeared in Chinese records during the Han. As mentioned by Huan Tan in about 20 AD, they were used to turn gears that lifted iron trip hammers, and were used in pounding, threshing and polishing grain. However, there is no sufficient evidence for the watermill in China until about th...
572fa64db2c2fd14005682ac
What commandery was the creator of the waterwheel-powered reciprocator from?
Nanyang
[ "Han_dynasty\n\nThe waterwheel appeared in Chinese records during the Han. As mentioned by Huan Tan in about 20 AD, they were used to turn gears that lifted iron trip hammers, and were used in pounding, threshing and polishing grain. However, there is no sufficient evidence for the watermill in China until about th...
572fa64db2c2fd14005682ad
Who was the author of the essay entitled Balance Discourse?
Wang Chong
[ "Han_dynasty\n\nThe waterwheel appeared in Chinese records during the Han. As mentioned by Huan Tan in about 20 AD, they were used to turn gears that lifted iron trip hammers, and were used in pounding, threshing and polishing grain. However, there is no sufficient evidence for the watermill in China until about th...
572fa64db2c2fd14005682ae
During what century is it likely that the watermill made an appearance in China?
about the 5th century
[ "Han_dynasty\n\nThe waterwheel appeared in Chinese records during the Han. As mentioned by Huan Tan in about 20 AD, they were used to turn gears that lifted iron trip hammers, and were used in pounding, threshing and polishing grain. However, there is no sufficient evidence for the watermill in China until about th...
572fa64db2c2fd14005682af
During what era did the waterwheel first appear in recordings?
Han
[ "Han_dynasty\n\nThe waterwheel appeared in Chinese records during the Han. As mentioned by Huan Tan in about 20 AD, they were used to turn gears that lifted iron trip hammers, and were used in pounding, threshing and polishing grain. However, there is no sufficient evidence for the watermill in China until about th...
572fa7c3b2c2fd14005682c9
Who was responsible for the invention of the seismometer?
Zhang Heng
[ "Han_dynasty\n\nThe armillary sphere, a three-dimensional representation of the movements in the celestial sphere, was invented in Han China by the 1st century BC. Using a water clock, waterwheel and a series of gears, the Court Astronomer Zhang Heng (78–139 AD) was able to mechanically rotate his metal-ringed armi...
572fa7c3b2c2fd14005682ca
In what year was the seismometer first invented?
132 AD
[ "Han_dynasty\n\nThe armillary sphere, a three-dimensional representation of the movements in the celestial sphere, was invented in Han China by the 1st century BC. Using a water clock, waterwheel and a series of gears, the Court Astronomer Zhang Heng (78–139 AD) was able to mechanically rotate his metal-ringed armi...
572fa7c3b2c2fd14005682cb
What invention included an inverted pendulum?
seismometer
[ "Han_dynasty\n\nThe armillary sphere, a three-dimensional representation of the movements in the celestial sphere, was invented in Han China by the 1st century BC. Using a water clock, waterwheel and a series of gears, the Court Astronomer Zhang Heng (78–139 AD) was able to mechanically rotate his metal-ringed armi...
572fa7c3b2c2fd14005682cc
How many dragons were represented in Zhang Heng's invention of the seismometer?
eight
[ "Han_dynasty\n\nThe armillary sphere, a three-dimensional representation of the movements in the celestial sphere, was invented in Han China by the 1st century BC. Using a water clock, waterwheel and a series of gears, the Court Astronomer Zhang Heng (78–139 AD) was able to mechanically rotate his metal-ringed armi...
572fa7c3b2c2fd14005682cd
What was exchanged from mouth to mouth in the usage of the seismometer?
metal ball
[ "Han_dynasty\n\nThe armillary sphere, a three-dimensional representation of the movements in the celestial sphere, was invented in Han China by the 1st century BC. Using a water clock, waterwheel and a series of gears, the Court Astronomer Zhang Heng (78–139 AD) was able to mechanically rotate his metal-ringed armi...
572fa95c947a6a140053cb30
What type of treatise is the Book on Numbers and Computation considered to be?
mathematical
[ "Han_dynasty\n\nThree Han mathematical treatises still exist. These are the Book on Numbers and Computation, the Arithmetical Classic of the Gnomon and the Circular Paths of Heaven and the Nine Chapters on the Mathematical Art. Han-era mathematical achievements include solving problems with right-angle triangles, s...
572fa95c947a6a140053cb31
How many mathematical treatises have still managed to survive to this day?
Three
[ "Han_dynasty\n\nThree Han mathematical treatises still exist. These are the Book on Numbers and Computation, the Arithmetical Classic of the Gnomon and the Circular Paths of Heaven and the Nine Chapters on the Mathematical Art. Han-era mathematical achievements include solving problems with right-angle triangles, s...
572fa95c947a6a140053cb32
What achievement of the Han era can be used to help solve linear equations?
Gaussian elimination
[ "Han_dynasty\n\nThree Han mathematical treatises still exist. These are the Book on Numbers and Computation, the Arithmetical Classic of the Gnomon and the Circular Paths of Heaven and the Nine Chapters on the Mathematical Art. Han-era mathematical achievements include solving problems with right-angle triangles, s...
572fa95c947a6a140053cb33
During what era was the Nine Chapters on the Mathematical Art from?
Han
[ "Han_dynasty\n\nThree Han mathematical treatises still exist. These are the Book on Numbers and Computation, the Arithmetical Classic of the Gnomon and the Circular Paths of Heaven and the Nine Chapters on the Mathematical Art. Han-era mathematical achievements include solving problems with right-angle triangles, s...
572fa95c947a6a140053cb34
What can be used to help find the roots of equations?
continued fractions
[ "Han_dynasty\n\nThree Han mathematical treatises still exist. These are the Book on Numbers and Computation, the Arithmetical Classic of the Gnomon and the Circular Paths of Heaven and the Nine Chapters on the Mathematical Art. Han-era mathematical achievements include solving problems with right-angle triangles, s...
572faa5304bcaa1900d76b95
In what treatise did negative numbers first appear?
the Nine Chapters on the Mathematical Art
[ "Han_dynasty\n\nOne of the Han's greatest mathematical advancements was the world's first use of negative numbers. Negative numbers first appeared in the Nine Chapters on the Mathematical Art as black counting rods, where positive numbers were represented by red counting rods. Negative numbers are used in the Bakhs...
572faa5304bcaa1900d76b96
How were negative numbers first described during the Han period?
as black counting rods
[ "Han_dynasty\n\nOne of the Han's greatest mathematical advancements was the world's first use of negative numbers. Negative numbers first appeared in the Nine Chapters on the Mathematical Art as black counting rods, where positive numbers were represented by red counting rods. Negative numbers are used in the Bakhs...
572faa5304bcaa1900d76b97
In what century were negative numbers more commonly accepted in Europe?
16th century AD
[ "Han_dynasty\n\nOne of the Han's greatest mathematical advancements was the world's first use of negative numbers. Negative numbers first appeared in the Nine Chapters on the Mathematical Art as black counting rods, where positive numbers were represented by red counting rods. Negative numbers are used in the Bakhs...
572faa5304bcaa1900d76b98
What Indian manuscript also contains the useage of negative numbers?
Bakhshali
[ "Han_dynasty\n\nOne of the Han's greatest mathematical advancements was the world's first use of negative numbers. Negative numbers first appeared in the Nine Chapters on the Mathematical Art as black counting rods, where positive numbers were represented by red counting rods. Negative numbers are used in the Bakhs...
572faa5304bcaa1900d76b99
What were positive numbers portayed as in the treatise of the Nine Chapters on the Mathematical Art?
red counting rods
[ "Han_dynasty\n\nOne of the Han's greatest mathematical advancements was the world's first use of negative numbers. Negative numbers first appeared in the Nine Chapters on the Mathematical Art as black counting rods, where positive numbers were represented by red counting rods. Negative numbers are used in the Bakhs...
572fac1d04bcaa1900d76bbd
In what era was a geocentric view of the universe adopted?
Han
[ "Han_dynasty\n\nHan-era astronomers adopted a geocentric model of the universe, theorizing that it was shaped like a sphere surrounding the earth in the center. They assumed that the Sun, Moon, and planets were spherical and not disc-shaped. They also thought that the illumination of the Moon and planets was caused...
572fac1d04bcaa1900d76bbe
Who was able to describe the process of evaporation?
Wang Chong
[ "Han_dynasty\n\nHan-era astronomers adopted a geocentric model of the universe, theorizing that it was shaped like a sphere surrounding the earth in the center. They assumed that the Sun, Moon, and planets were spherical and not disc-shaped. They also thought that the illumination of the Moon and planets was caused...
572fac1d04bcaa1900d76bbf
What object was assumed to block sunlight during a lunar eclipse?
the Earth
[ "Han_dynasty\n\nHan-era astronomers adopted a geocentric model of the universe, theorizing that it was shaped like a sphere surrounding the earth in the center. They assumed that the Sun, Moon, and planets were spherical and not disc-shaped. They also thought that the illumination of the Moon and planets was caused...
572fac1d04bcaa1900d76bc0
What did astronomers believe the shape of the Sun to be during this era?
spherical
[ "Han_dynasty\n\nHan-era astronomers adopted a geocentric model of the universe, theorizing that it was shaped like a sphere surrounding the earth in the center. They assumed that the Sun, Moon, and planets were spherical and not disc-shaped. They also thought that the illumination of the Moon and planets was caused...
572fac1d04bcaa1900d76bc1
What did astronomers during this area believe to be the center of the universe?
the earth
[ "Han_dynasty\n\nHan-era astronomers adopted a geocentric model of the universe, theorizing that it was shaped like a sphere surrounding the earth in the center. They assumed that the Sun, Moon, and planets were spherical and not disc-shaped. They also thought that the illumination of the Moon and planets was caused...
572fad40b2c2fd1400568321
What textile were some of the early Han maps made from?
silk
[ "Han_dynasty\n\nEvidence found in Chinese literature, and archaeological evidence, show that cartography existed in China before the Han. Some of the earliest Han maps discovered were ink-penned silk maps found amongst the Mawangdui Silk Texts in a 2nd-century-BC tomb. The general Ma Yuan created the world's first ...
572fad40b2c2fd1400568322
In what type of building were silken maps found?
tomb
[ "Han_dynasty\n\nEvidence found in Chinese literature, and archaeological evidence, show that cartography existed in China before the Han. Some of the earliest Han maps discovered were ink-penned silk maps found amongst the Mawangdui Silk Texts in a 2nd-century-BC tomb. The general Ma Yuan created the world's first ...
572fad40b2c2fd1400568323
Which individual created the very first raised relief map?
Ma Yuan
[ "Han_dynasty\n\nEvidence found in Chinese literature, and archaeological evidence, show that cartography existed in China before the Han. Some of the earliest Han maps discovered were ink-penned silk maps found amongst the Mawangdui Silk Texts in a 2nd-century-BC tomb. The general Ma Yuan created the world's first ...
572fad40b2c2fd1400568324
What food stable was the first raised relief map created from?
rice
[ "Han_dynasty\n\nEvidence found in Chinese literature, and archaeological evidence, show that cartography existed in China before the Han. Some of the earliest Han maps discovered were ink-penned silk maps found amongst the Mawangdui Silk Texts in a 2nd-century-BC tomb. The general Ma Yuan created the world's first ...
572fb04d947a6a140053cb78
What type of boat design was first invented during the Han era?
The junk design
[ "Han_dynasty\n\nThe Han-era Chinese sailed in a variety of ships differing from those of previous eras, such as the tower ship. The junk design was developed and realized during Han. Junks featured a square-ended bow and stern, a flat-bottomed hull or carvel-shaped hull with no keel or sternpost, and solid transver...
572fb04d947a6a140053cb79
In what areas were Han ships able to be sailed in part due to the stern rudder?
high seas
[ "Han_dynasty\n\nThe Han-era Chinese sailed in a variety of ships differing from those of previous eras, such as the tower ship. The junk design was developed and realized during Han. Junks featured a square-ended bow and stern, a flat-bottomed hull or carvel-shaped hull with no keel or sternpost, and solid transver...
572fb04d947a6a140053cb7a
What ship design contained a flat-bottomed hull?
Junks
[ "Han_dynasty\n\nThe Han-era Chinese sailed in a variety of ships differing from those of previous eras, such as the tower ship. The junk design was developed and realized during Han. Junks featured a square-ended bow and stern, a flat-bottomed hull or carvel-shaped hull with no keel or sternpost, and solid transver...
572fb04d947a6a140053cb7b
What type of transport was the steering oar most likely to be used during?
riverine transport
[ "Han_dynasty\n\nThe Han-era Chinese sailed in a variety of ships differing from those of previous eras, such as the tower ship. The junk design was developed and realized during Han. Junks featured a square-ended bow and stern, a flat-bottomed hull or carvel-shaped hull with no keel or sternpost, and solid transver...
572fb186a23a5019007fc8b5
Who believed that the same forces that controlled the universe also controlled the human body?
Han-era medical physicians
[ "Han_dynasty\n\nHan-era medical physicians believed that the human body was subject to the same forces of nature that governed the greater universe, namely the cosmological cycles of yin and yang and the five phases. Each organ of the body was associated with a particular phase. Illness was viewed as a sign that qi...
572fb186a23a5019007fc8b6
What was used during surgery to relieve patients of their pain?
anesthesia
[ "Han_dynasty\n\nHan-era medical physicians believed that the human body was subject to the same forces of nature that governed the greater universe, namely the cosmological cycles of yin and yang and the five phases. Each organ of the body was associated with a particular phase. Illness was viewed as a sign that qi...
572fb186a23a5019007fc8b7
What profession was the individual Zhang Zhongjing involved in?
physician
[ "Han_dynasty\n\nHan-era medical physicians believed that the human body was subject to the same forces of nature that governed the greater universe, namely the cosmological cycles of yin and yang and the five phases. Each organ of the body was associated with a particular phase. Illness was viewed as a sign that qi...
572fb186a23a5019007fc8b8
How did Zhang Zhongjing attempt to cure various illnesses?
prescribed regulated diets
[ "Han_dynasty\n\nHan-era medical physicians believed that the human body was subject to the same forces of nature that governed the greater universe, namely the cosmological cycles of yin and yang and the five phases. Each organ of the body was associated with a particular phase. Illness was viewed as a sign that qi...
572fb186a23a5019007fc8b9
When did Hua Tuo die?
208 AD
[ "Han_dynasty\n\nHan-era medical physicians believed that the human body was subject to the same forces of nature that governed the greater universe, namely the cosmological cycles of yin and yang and the five phases. Each organ of the body was associated with a particular phase. Illness was viewed as a sign that qi...
572e9b93cb0c0d14000f134a
Which angel is believed to have communicated the Quran to Muhammad?
Gabriel
[ "Quran\n\nMuslims believe the Quran was verbally revealed by God to Muhammad through the angel Gabriel (Jibril), gradually over a period of approximately 23 years, beginning on 22 December 609 CE, when Muhammad was 40, and concluding in 632, the year of his death. Muslims regard the Quran as the most important mira...
572e9b93cb0c0d14000f134b
On which date did Muhammad begin receiving the Quran?
22 December 609 CE
[ "Quran\n\nMuslims believe the Quran was verbally revealed by God to Muhammad through the angel Gabriel (Jibril), gradually over a period of approximately 23 years, beginning on 22 December 609 CE, when Muhammad was 40, and concluding in 632, the year of his death. Muslims regard the Quran as the most important mira...
572e9b93cb0c0d14000f134c
In which year CE did Muhammad die?
632
[ "Quran\n\nMuslims believe the Quran was verbally revealed by God to Muhammad through the angel Gabriel (Jibril), gradually over a period of approximately 23 years, beginning on 22 December 609 CE, when Muhammad was 40, and concluding in 632, the year of his death. Muslims regard the Quran as the most important mira...
572e9b93cb0c0d14000f134d
What is the Arabic variant of Gabriel?
Jibril
[ "Quran\n\nMuslims believe the Quran was verbally revealed by God to Muhammad through the angel Gabriel (Jibril), gradually over a period of approximately 23 years, beginning on 22 December 609 CE, when Muhammad was 40, and concluding in 632, the year of his death. Muslims regard the Quran as the most important mira...
572e9b93cb0c0d14000f134e
How many times is the word "Quran" used in the Quran?
70
[ "Quran\n\nMuslims believe the Quran was verbally revealed by God to Muhammad through the angel Gabriel (Jibril), gradually over a period of approximately 23 years, beginning on 22 December 609 CE, when Muhammad was 40, and concluding in 632, the year of his death. Muslims regard the Quran as the most important mira...
572e9c8cc246551400ce43e6
Who first recorded Muhammad revelations?
companions of Muhammad
[ "Quran\n\nAccording to the traditional narrative, several companions of Muhammad served as scribes and were responsible for writing down the revelations. Shortly after Muhammad's death, the Quran was compiled by his companions who wrote down and memorized parts of it. These codices had differences that motivated th...
572e9c8cc246551400ce43e7
Who first standardized the earliest versions of the Quran?
Caliph Uthman
[ "Quran\n\nAccording to the traditional narrative, several companions of Muhammad served as scribes and were responsible for writing down the revelations. Shortly after Muhammad's death, the Quran was compiled by his companions who wrote down and memorized parts of it. These codices had differences that motivated th...
572e9c8cc246551400ce43e8
By what name is the first standardized version of the Quran known?
Uthman's codex
[ "Quran\n\nAccording to the traditional narrative, several companions of Muhammad served as scribes and were responsible for writing down the revelations. Shortly after Muhammad's death, the Quran was compiled by his companions who wrote down and memorized parts of it. These codices had differences that motivated th...
572e9e07cb0c0d14000f1380
In which language is the Quran spoken during prayer?
Arabic
[ "Quran\n\nThe Quran assumes familiarity with major narratives recounted in the Biblical scriptures. It summarizes some, dwells at length on others and, in some cases, presents alternative accounts and interpretations of events. The Quran describes itself as a book of guidance. It sometimes offers detailed accounts ...
572e9e07cb0c0d14000f1381
The Quran is used in the interpretation of which form of law?
sharia
[ "Quran\n\nThe Quran assumes familiarity with major narratives recounted in the Biblical scriptures. It summarizes some, dwells at length on others and, in some cases, presents alternative accounts and interpretations of events. The Quran describes itself as a book of guidance. It sometimes offers detailed accounts ...
572e9e07cb0c0d14000f1382
What accounts are form the basis of much of the accounts in the Quran?
Biblical scriptures
[ "Quran\n\nThe Quran assumes familiarity with major narratives recounted in the Biblical scriptures. It summarizes some, dwells at length on others and, in some cases, presents alternative accounts and interpretations of events. The Quran describes itself as a book of guidance. It sometimes offers detailed accounts ...
572e9e07cb0c0d14000f1383
Which religious text calls itself a book of guidance?
Quran
[ "Quran\n\nThe Quran assumes familiarity with major narratives recounted in the Biblical scriptures. It summarizes some, dwells at length on others and, in some cases, presents alternative accounts and interpretations of events. The Quran describes itself as a book of guidance. It sometimes offers detailed accounts ...
572e9f6ddfa6aa1500f8d20d
From which Arabic verb might "Quran" be derived?
qaraʼa
[ "Quran\n\nThe word qurʼān appears about 70 times in the Quran itself, assuming various meanings. It is a verbal noun (maṣdar) of the Arabic verb qaraʼa (قرأ), meaning \"he read\" or \"he recited\". The Syriac equivalent is (ܩܪܝܢܐ) qeryānā, which refers to \"scripture reading\" or \"lesson\". While some Western scho...
572e9f6ddfa6aa1500f8d20e
What Syriac word might be related to "Quran"?
qeryānā
[ "Quran\n\nThe word qurʼān appears about 70 times in the Quran itself, assuming various meanings. It is a verbal noun (maṣdar) of the Arabic verb qaraʼa (قرأ), meaning \"he read\" or \"he recited\". The Syriac equivalent is (ܩܪܝܢܐ) qeryānā, which refers to \"scripture reading\" or \"lesson\". While some Western scho...
572e9f6ddfa6aa1500f8d20f
The words from which the name "Quran" might be described are related to which act?
reciting
[ "Quran\n\nThe word qurʼān appears about 70 times in the Quran itself, assuming various meanings. It is a verbal noun (maṣdar) of the Arabic verb qaraʼa (قرأ), meaning \"he read\" or \"he recited\". The Syriac equivalent is (ܩܪܝܢܐ) qeryānā, which refers to \"scripture reading\" or \"lesson\". While some Western scho...
572e9f6ddfa6aa1500f8d210
Which word do most Muslim scholars point to as the origin of the Quran's name?
qaraʼa
[ "Quran\n\nThe word qurʼān appears about 70 times in the Quran itself, assuming various meanings. It is a verbal noun (maṣdar) of the Arabic verb qaraʼa (قرأ), meaning \"he read\" or \"he recited\". The Syriac equivalent is (ܩܪܝܢܐ) qeryānā, which refers to \"scripture reading\" or \"lesson\". While some Western scho...
572ea0bdc246551400ce442c
Which term used in the Quran to indicate itself means "book"?
kitāb
[ "Quran\n\nThe term also has closely related synonyms that are employed throughout the Quran. Each synonym possesses its own distinct meaning, but its use may converge with that of qurʼān in certain contexts. Such terms include kitāb (book); āyah (sign); and sūrah (scripture). The latter two terms also denote units ...
572ea0bdc246551400ce442d
Which term does the Quran use to refer to itself as "scripture"?
sūrah
[ "Quran\n\nThe term also has closely related synonyms that are employed throughout the Quran. Each synonym possesses its own distinct meaning, but its use may converge with that of qurʼān in certain contexts. Such terms include kitāb (book); āyah (sign); and sūrah (scripture). The latter two terms also denote units ...
572ea0bdc246551400ce442e
What meaning does the Quran take when it calls itself hikmah?
wisdom
[ "Quran\n\nThe term also has closely related synonyms that are employed throughout the Quran. Each synonym possesses its own distinct meaning, but its use may converge with that of qurʼān in certain contexts. Such terms include kitāb (book); āyah (sign); and sūrah (scripture). The latter two terms also denote units ...
572ea0bdc246551400ce442f
What name does the Quran use for itself that means "revelation"?
waḥy
[ "Quran\n\nThe term also has closely related synonyms that are employed throughout the Quran. Each synonym possesses its own distinct meaning, but its use may converge with that of qurʼān in certain contexts. Such terms include kitāb (book); āyah (sign); and sūrah (scripture). The latter two terms also denote units ...
572ea250c246551400ce443e
Which term meaning "the mother book" does the Quran apply to itself?
umm al-kitāb
[ "Quran\n\nThe Quran describes itself as \"the discernment\" (al-furqān), \"the mother book\" (umm al-kitāb), \"the guide\" (huda), \"the wisdom\" (hikmah), \"the remembrance\" (dhikr) and \"the revelation\" (tanzīl; something sent down, signifying the descent of an object from a higher place to lower place). Anothe...
572ea250c246551400ce443f
What term is used in the Quran to indicate previous revelations?
mus'haf
[ "Quran\n\nThe Quran describes itself as \"the discernment\" (al-furqān), \"the mother book\" (umm al-kitāb), \"the guide\" (huda), \"the wisdom\" (hikmah), \"the remembrance\" (dhikr) and \"the revelation\" (tanzīl; something sent down, signifying the descent of an object from a higher place to lower place). Anothe...
572ea250c246551400ce4440
What is the Arabic term commonly used to refer to works like the Torah or the Gospels?
al-kitāb
[ "Quran\n\nThe Quran describes itself as \"the discernment\" (al-furqān), \"the mother book\" (umm al-kitāb), \"the guide\" (huda), \"the wisdom\" (hikmah), \"the remembrance\" (dhikr) and \"the revelation\" (tanzīl; something sent down, signifying the descent of an object from a higher place to lower place). Anothe...
572ea250c246551400ce4441
What is an English translation of huda?
the guide
[ "Quran\n\nThe Quran describes itself as \"the discernment\" (al-furqān), \"the mother book\" (umm al-kitāb), \"the guide\" (huda), \"the wisdom\" (hikmah), \"the remembrance\" (dhikr) and \"the revelation\" (tanzīl; something sent down, signifying the descent of an object from a higher place to lower place). Anothe...
572ea39dcb0c0d14000f13be
In which mountain cave did Mohammad experience his first revelation?
Cave of Hira
[ "Quran\n\nIslamic tradition relates that Muhammad received his first revelation in the Cave of Hira during one of his isolated retreats to the mountains. Thereafter, he received revelations over a period of 23 years. According to hadith and Muslim history, after Muhammad immigrated to Medina and formed an independe...
572ea39dcb0c0d14000f13bf
Where did Mohammad move to found a separate Muslim community?
Medina
[ "Quran\n\nIslamic tradition relates that Muhammad received his first revelation in the Cave of Hira during one of his isolated retreats to the mountains. Thereafter, he received revelations over a period of 23 years. According to hadith and Muslim history, after Muhammad immigrated to Medina and formed an independe...
572ea39dcb0c0d14000f13c0
Prisoners from which battle are thought to have helped Muslims learn to write?
Badr
[ "Quran\n\nIslamic tradition relates that Muhammad received his first revelation in the Cave of Hira during one of his isolated retreats to the mountains. Thereafter, he received revelations over a period of 23 years. According to hadith and Muslim history, after Muhammad immigrated to Medina and formed an independe...
572ea39dcb0c0d14000f13c1
Vegetation from which tree served as an early recording medium for the Quran?
date palm
[ "Quran\n\nIslamic tradition relates that Muhammad received his first revelation in the Cave of Hira during one of his isolated retreats to the mountains. Thereafter, he received revelations over a period of 23 years. According to hadith and Muslim history, after Muhammad immigrated to Medina and formed an independe...
572ea39dcb0c0d14000f13c2
When Muhammad dies, what had not yet been compiled as a book?
Quran
[ "Quran\n\nIslamic tradition relates that Muhammad received his first revelation in the Cave of Hira during one of his isolated retreats to the mountains. Thereafter, he received revelations over a period of 23 years. According to hadith and Muslim history, after Muhammad immigrated to Medina and formed an independe...
572ea5f5dfa6aa1500f8d249
What is the most common interpretation of the word "ummi" that the Quran applies to Muhammad?
illiterate
[ "Quran\n\nThe Quran describes Muhammad as \"ummi\", which is traditionally interpreted as \"illiterate,\" but the meaning is rather more complex. Medieval commentators such as Al-Tabari maintained that the term induced two meanings: first, the inability to read or write in general; second, the inexperience or ignor...
572ea5f5dfa6aa1500f8d24a
Because Mohammed was "ummi," what would he not have known about that lent credence to his prophethood?
earlier sacred texts
[ "Quran\n\nThe Quran describes Muhammad as \"ummi\", which is traditionally interpreted as \"illiterate,\" but the meaning is rather more complex. Medieval commentators such as Al-Tabari maintained that the term induced two meanings: first, the inability to read or write in general; second, the inexperience or ignor...
572ea5f5dfa6aa1500f8d24b
What term does the Quran use to describe Mohammad's lack of exposure to scripture?
ummi
[ "Quran\n\nThe Quran describes Muhammad as \"ummi\", which is traditionally interpreted as \"illiterate,\" but the meaning is rather more complex. Medieval commentators such as Al-Tabari maintained that the term induced two meanings: first, the inability to read or write in general; second, the inexperience or ignor...
572ea5f5dfa6aa1500f8d24c
What skills would have made others more suspicious that Mohammad was not getting his revelations in the way he said?
writing and reading
[ "Quran\n\nThe Quran describes Muhammad as \"ummi\", which is traditionally interpreted as \"illiterate,\" but the meaning is rather more complex. Medieval commentators such as Al-Tabari maintained that the term induced two meanings: first, the inability to read or write in general; second, the inexperience or ignor...
572ea78ec246551400ce4476
Which caliph decided to preserve the Quran as a single book after some of Muhammad's companions were killed in battle?
Abu Bakr
[ "Quran\n\nBased on earlier transmitted reports, in the year 632, after the demise of Muhammad a number of his companions who knew the Quran by heart were killed in a battle by Musaylimah, the first caliph Abu Bakr (d. 634) decided to collect the book in one volume so that it could be preserved. Zayd ibn Thabit (d. ...
572ea78ec246551400ce4477
Which scribe led the production of the first written Quran?
Zayd ibn Thabit
[ "Quran\n\nBased on earlier transmitted reports, in the year 632, after the demise of Muhammad a number of his companions who knew the Quran by heart were killed in a battle by Musaylimah, the first caliph Abu Bakr (d. 634) decided to collect the book in one volume so that it could be preserved. Zayd ibn Thabit (d. ...
572ea78ec246551400ce4478
In which year did Abu Bakr die?
634
[ "Quran\n\nBased on earlier transmitted reports, in the year 632, after the demise of Muhammad a number of his companions who knew the Quran by heart were killed in a battle by Musaylimah, the first caliph Abu Bakr (d. 634) decided to collect the book in one volume so that it could be preserved. Zayd ibn Thabit (d. ...
572ea78ec246551400ce4479
Who took possession of the first Quran manuscript after Abu Bakr?
Hafsa bint Umar
[ "Quran\n\nBased on earlier transmitted reports, in the year 632, after the demise of Muhammad a number of his companions who knew the Quran by heart were killed in a battle by Musaylimah, the first caliph Abu Bakr (d. 634) decided to collect the book in one volume so that it could be preserved. Zayd ibn Thabit (d. ...
572ea78ec246551400ce447a
Which caliph ordered the Quran manuscript copied and standardized?
Uthman ibn Affan
[ "Quran\n\nBased on earlier transmitted reports, in the year 632, after the demise of Muhammad a number of his companions who knew the Quran by heart were killed in a battle by Musaylimah, the first caliph Abu Bakr (d. 634) decided to collect the book in one volume so that it could be preserved. Zayd ibn Thabit (d. ...
572ea993cb0c0d14000f1416
What is the term for recycled parchments used in ancient manuscripts?
palimpsests
[ "Quran\n\nIn 1972, in a mosque in the city of Sana'a, Yemen, manuscripts were discovered that were later proved to be the most ancient Quranic text known to exist at the time. The Sana'a manuscripts contain palimpsests, a manuscript page from which the text has been washed off to make the parchment reusable again—a...
572ea993cb0c0d14000f1417
Before which year were the Sana'a manuscripts produced?
671 AD
[ "Quran\n\nIn 1972, in a mosque in the city of Sana'a, Yemen, manuscripts were discovered that were later proved to be the most ancient Quranic text known to exist at the time. The Sana'a manuscripts contain palimpsests, a manuscript page from which the text has been washed off to make the parchment reusable again—a...
572ea993cb0c0d14000f1418
In which city was evidence of pre-Uthmanic Quranic writing discovered in 1972?
Sana'a, Yemen
[ "Quran\n\nIn 1972, in a mosque in the city of Sana'a, Yemen, manuscripts were discovered that were later proved to be the most ancient Quranic text known to exist at the time. The Sana'a manuscripts contain palimpsests, a manuscript page from which the text has been washed off to make the parchment reusable again—a...
572ea993cb0c0d14000f1419
What version of the Quran was the scriptio superior of the Sana'a manuscripts?
Uthmanic
[ "Quran\n\nIn 1972, in a mosque in the city of Sana'a, Yemen, manuscripts were discovered that were later proved to be the most ancient Quranic text known to exist at the time. The Sana'a manuscripts contain palimpsests, a manuscript page from which the text has been washed off to make the parchment reusable again—a...
572eaae1dfa6aa1500f8d287
How many years old were the Quran fragments discovered in Birmingham in 2015?
1370
[ "Quran\n\nIn 2015, fragments of a very early Quran, dating back to 1370 years ago, were discovered in the library of the University of Birmingham, England. According to the tests carried out by Oxford University Radiocarbon Accelerator Unit, \"with a probability of more than 95%, the parchment was from between 568 ...
572eaae1dfa6aa1500f8d288
What script were the Birmingham Quran fragments written in?
Hijazi
[ "Quran\n\nIn 2015, fragments of a very early Quran, dating back to 1370 years ago, were discovered in the library of the University of Birmingham, England. According to the tests carried out by Oxford University Radiocarbon Accelerator Unit, \"with a probability of more than 95%, the parchment was from between 568 ...
572eaae1dfa6aa1500f8d289
Which modern script descends from the script on the Birmingham Quran fragments?
Arabic
[ "Quran\n\nIn 2015, fragments of a very early Quran, dating back to 1370 years ago, were discovered in the library of the University of Birmingham, England. According to the tests carried out by Oxford University Radiocarbon Accelerator Unit, \"with a probability of more than 95%, the parchment was from between 568 ...
572eaae1dfa6aa1500f8d28a
What feature of the Birmingham Quran fragments' text make some doubt that it is older than other known versions of the Quran?
dots and chapter separators
[ "Quran\n\nIn 2015, fragments of a very early Quran, dating back to 1370 years ago, were discovered in the library of the University of Birmingham, England. According to the tests carried out by Oxford University Radiocarbon Accelerator Unit, \"with a probability of more than 95%, the parchment was from between 568 ...
572eabfd03f9891900756903
Which section of the Quran inspires some Muslims to ritually wash themselves before touching their copy?
56:79
[ "Quran\n\nRespect for the written text of the Quran is an important element of religious faith by many Muslims, and the Quran is treated with reverence. Based on tradition and a literal interpretation of Quran 56:79 (\"none shall touch but those who are clean\"), some Muslims believe that they must perform a ritual...
572eabfd03f9891900756904
What is done with the ashes of burned copies of the Quran?
buried or scattered over water
[ "Quran\n\nRespect for the written text of the Quran is an important element of religious faith by many Muslims, and the Quran is treated with reverence. Based on tradition and a literal interpretation of Quran 56:79 (\"none shall touch but those who are clean\"), some Muslims believe that they must perform a ritual...
572eabfd03f9891900756905
In what state are copies of the Quran sometime wrapped in cloth and buried?
Worn-out
[ "Quran\n\nRespect for the written text of the Quran is an important element of religious faith by many Muslims, and the Quran is treated with reverence. Based on tradition and a literal interpretation of Quran 56:79 (\"none shall touch but those who are clean\"), some Muslims believe that they must perform a ritual...
572eabfd03f9891900756906
Which are the safest places to inter an older copy of the Quran?
a mosque or a Muslim cemetery
[ "Quran\n\nRespect for the written text of the Quran is an important element of religious faith by many Muslims, and the Quran is treated with reverence. Based on tradition and a literal interpretation of Quran 56:79 (\"none shall touch but those who are clean\"), some Muslims believe that they must perform a ritual...