From China to Eastern Europe, there was a trading corridor known as the Silk Road. It ended up in Eastern Europe close to modern-day Turkey and the Mediterranean Sea after traveling along the northern boundaries of China, India, and Persia.
What made the Silk Road so significant?
Because it promoted trade and commerce among numerous different kingdoms and empires, the Silk Road was significant. This aided in the dissemination of concepts, culture, innovations, and distinctive goods throughout a large portion of the world’s population.
What makes it the Silk Road?
Because silk cloth from China was one of the main goods sold along it, it was given the name Silk Road. Because of its smoothness and elegance, Chinese silk was highly regarded throughout Asia and Europe. Even the Romans referred to China as the “land of silk” since the Chinese have been selling silk for thousands of years.
What products did China trade?
The Chinese also marketed (exported) teas, salt, sugar, porcelain, and spices in addition to silk. The majority of the trade was in pricey luxury products. This was a result of the lengthy journey and the limited space that merchants had for cargo. They purchased or imported items such as cotton, wool, ivory, gold, and silver.
How did they move about?
Large caravans carried traders and merchants. They would be accompanied by numerous guards. Defending against bandits was made easier when traveling in a large group like a caravan. Because a large portion of the road passed through desolate, difficult terrain, camels were frequently used as transportation.
History
Even while there had been some trade between China and the outside world for some time, the Han Dynasty, which lasted from 206 BC to 220 AD, considerably increased and encouraged the silk trade.
Later, trade from China over the Silk Road would reach its peak under the authority of the Yuan Dynasty established by Kublai Khan of the Mongols. Chinese traders were able to travel without risk during this time since the Mongols controlled a sizable stretch of the trade route. Also, throughout the Mongol era, merchants were given a higher social rank.
Informative details on the Silk Road
It measured more than 4,000 miles.
The Silk Road was used by Marco Polo to travel to China.
Not everything traded along the Silk Road was beneficial. The Black Death, often known as the bubonic plague, is believed to have arrived in Europe via the Silk Road.
There weren’t many traders who went the whole way. Along the trip, goods were exchanged at numerous cities and trading sites.
There were numerous routes instead of only one. Some were more risky but shorter. Some were safer but took longer.