Question

questions 1 through 3 refer to the following. the east african coast was certainly known to the people of arabia by the eighth century b.c.e. in fact, the ancient southern arabian state of ausan traded extensively there and may have actually held a portion of the coast. traders who reached the coast discovered a number of potentially valuable raw materials there. among these were spices, tortoise shell, coconut oil, ivory, and later, gold and slaves. it was not until almost 1000 c.e., however, that the first important commercial city - states emerged along the coast. these city - states fluctuated in wealth and prestige as they competed for coastal hegemony. because of their way of life, they tended to have a broad regional perspective. their destinies and fortunes were at least partly determined in distant lands by foreign merchants and rulers. information on early political aspects of east african states remains very limited. we know that they had kings or sultans, who wielded a good deal of power. sultans were advised by councils of princes, elders, and members of the ruling household. it seems probable that the sultan and his close relatives controlled the religious and military offices of the state. terry h. elkiss, historian, \kilwa kisiwani: the rise of an east african city - state,\ article published in african studies review, a scholarly journal, 1973. 3. the coexistence of rulers and councils of elders in african states in the period circa 1200 - 1450 best demonstrates a an attempt to imitate the feudal governments of european states and east asian empires b the influence of indigenous african political practices c an adaptation to the climatic conditions of the east african coast d a reflection of the hardships and uncertainties faced by muslim seaborne traders

Explanation:

The text mentions that sultans in East - African states were advised by councils of princes, elders, etc. This shows a coexistence of rulers (sultans) and advisory councils of elders. There is no mention of attempts to imitate feudal governments (A), adaptation to climatic conditions (C), or the hardships of Muslim seaborne traders (D) in relation to the coexistence of rulers and councils. The coexistence indicates the influence of indigenous African political practices where such shared governance elements were present.

Answer:

B. the influence of indigenous African political practices