Silk Route Essay

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The Silk Road “The Silk Road”, world’s most historically important and oldest overland route that connects South, East and Southeast Asia with Europe, North Africa and Mediterranean region. The history of silk route goes back to prehistoric times, while communication through this route flourished from 2nd century (BCE) through 15th century (CE). As silk was major trade production through this route, in 1977, a well-known German geographer Ferdinand Von Richtofen named it as “Silk Road/ Route”. Beside Silk other luxury items like jewelry, silverware, porcelains, spicy and tea from India and gemstone from western Asia were also transported in both direction (Adler, 2012). Along trade it was also medium of cultural exchange of China, India, Arabia, …show more content…

While Middle East and Central Asia was dominated by new religion Islam. China opened itself for new ideas and goods imported from abroad. The Muslim traders started to freely travel through this region for the purpose of trade. This was the most flourished period of Silk Route in history. During Tang Dynasty it enjoyed “golden age” of development.
Third golden era (12th century to fourteenth century CE) The third golden era of Silk Route starts with the expansion of Mangol Empire. The leaders of Mangol conquered almost large part of Silk Route and removed all trade barriers from region. Traders and businessman travel through this route freely and expand their business. The route become prosperous once again. It was last glorious era during this period.
Decline of the Silk Route:
With the fall of Mangol Empire in fourteenth century the route also lost its prestige. European powers started to discover alternative routes to Silk Road. The desire of discover sea route pushed Europeans to the age of discovery in fifteenth century. Western navigators started to look for alternative to Silk Route. Vasco Da Gama, Portuguese sailor become first European to reach India by sea (1497-99). With the establishment of this route it become preferred route for Europe, East and South Asia. With time Silk Route lost its prestige, infect China stopped trading silk abroad because silk was produced in Europe and Central Asia by that time

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