Author: Celia Jimenez, Plano High School
📍Plano, TX

During 1200-1450 there was a significant expansion of the trade routes all over Asia, driven by many coexisting factors. Asia experienced a period of significant economic and cultural transformation, driven by the expansion of trade routes across the continent. The Silk Roads grew vastly across the world, contributing to an exchange of goods from several cultures and other events like the shift in culture and the expansion of Technology. The Mongol Empire, which conquered a vast territory stretching from China to Eastern Europe, was important in trade and cultural exchange along the Silk Road. Along with the Ottoman Empire, centered in the Middle East, also controlled important trade routes and promoted economic activity in the region. Expansion of trade routes in Asia from 1200-1450 C.E. mainly had a positive impact by fostering economic growth, expanding single-deity religions, and creating a more culturally blended world. However, it also faced challenges such as competition and conflict among trading powers.

The silk roads and the expansion of trade routes led to a significant spread of religions such as Islam, Christianity, and Hinduism; leading to cultural exchange and the blending of religious traditions. Buddhism during this period resonated with diverse regions and cultures along the trade routes because of its values of its values on merit-based success and inclusivity. As Buddhism spread along the Silk Road, it went through significant transformations. While its original goal was to withdraw from worldly affairs, it evolved to view monks as symbols of hard work and success rather than a religious expectation (Strayer and Nelson, 112). This contrasts with the original role of Buddhism which expected people to detach from society and be a part of nature, now allowed the practice of the religion through its values while also living a vivacious lifestyle. The text describes how Buddhist women wore makeup and how the men drank alcohol, showing that this religion normalized flexibility in action and values. Thus, Buddhism’s emphasis on personal enlightenment and the pursuit of inner peace offered a compelling alternative to other religious traditions, specifically for the people who were dissatisfied with the hierarchical structures and rituals of other religions. The Srivijaya Empire, a powerful maritime empire based in Sumatra, played an important role in the spread of Buddhist culture and practices as the emperor was a devoted Buddhist who actively promoted the religion through institutions and temples (Strayer and Nelson, 118). The Srivijaya controlled the trade routes in Southeast Asia which made them very influential in the region and their maritime power also allowed the exchange of Buddhist ideas to other parts of Asia including China, India, and the Malay Peninsula. Islam was gradually adopted in the African region because of the rise of a Muslim community in Malacca in the 14th century, which encouraged interactions between Muslim traders and Southeast Asian peoples (Strayer and Nelson, 120). African traders and merchants who had immigrated to Southeast Asia also helped to shape new Islamic customs as Islam spread. These African Muslims frequently created new customs by fusing Islamic rituals with pre-existing indigenous faiths and civilizations. For example, some African Muslims blended ancestor worship and animism into their Islamic ceremonies while others modified Islamic rituals to fit the local culture and customs. The Great Mosque at Jenne was constructed in this time because they wanted to incorporate their traditional elements into the Islamic culture (Anonymous, 129).  The purpose was to serve as a place of worship for the local Muslim community, as well as a symbol of their cultural identity and their commitment to Islam. The mosque’s distinctive architecture, which combines traditional Sudanese building techniques with Islamic elements, reflects the unique cultural blend of the region.

The Silk Roads led to immense economic prosperity and innovation as trading with other countries around the world spread knowledge on technology and fostered trade. The expansion of trade routes led to the development of new maritime technologies, as traders and sailors wanted to improve their navigation and shipbuilding abilities. For example, the exchange of knowledge between different regions led to advancements in shipbuilding techniques, resulting in larger and more seaworthy vessels like Chinese junks and Arab Dhows (Strayer and Nelson, 115). These improvements in maritime technology allowed traders to travel longer distances and carry larger cargoes, further increasing economic activity. An art piece shows how the Arab dhow was very powerful as it shows how its triangular sails, stitched around the hull, were a powerful tool to trade along the sea (Yahya ibn Mahmud al-Wasiti, 119).  This illustration served to depict the strength and reliability of the dhow ships to encourage the merchants to travel greater distances with safety. These ships were equipped with advanced navigation techniques and could carry large quantities of goods. The effectiveness of Arab dhow ships in trade contributed to the economic growth of coastal civilization and states along the Indian Ocean.  The Swahili states on the East African Coast were essential in the Indian Ocean Trade because they exported a variety of goods including ivory, gold, and slaves while importing textiles, ceramics, and spices (Strayer and Nelson, 122). Swahili cities also served as essential port cities to transfer trade from far countries like China’s porcelain and silk, India’s cotton, and Persia’s rugs. A key reason why the trade routes led to so much innovation is that the different civilizations shared their technological ideas and knowledge to work on progressing innovation and economic growth. Along with other forced migrations, the Mongol conquests resulted in the transportation of Chinese artisans and craftsmen throughout the realm (Strayer and Nelson, 158). The creation of new cultural forms was aided by the forced migration’s facilitation of the exchange of concepts, abilities, and cultural practices. A French jeweler, for example, was taken prisoner by the Mongols in Hungary and later became a slave in Karakorum, where he created a wine-dispensing silver fountain (Strayer and Nelson, 160). This shows how the migration of people and their skills resulted in more ways goods and services could be achieved while also creating a demand for new manufactured goods that people can have a greater variety to trade.

The increased cultural exchange because of the expansion of trade routes led to the blending of diverse traditions and practices, resulting in the development of new cultural forms and identities. Karakorum, the cosmopolitan capital of the Mongol Empire, promoted tolerance and exchange by acting as a melting pot for different religions and civilizations (Strayer and Nelson, 156). The population of the city was diverse, including individuals from China, Persia, Central Asia, and Europe. This led to the emergence of new cultural forms and customs. For instance, Chinese medical procedures like taking patients’ pulses were embraced in the Arab world, but owing to cultural differences, other procedures like acupuncture were not as well received (Strayer and Nelson, 156). The Mongol Empire’s policy of forcibly transferring skilled artisans and craftsmen to different parts of the empire contributed to the spread of technological knowledge and the development of new industries (Strayer and Nelson, 158). Cooperation within these civilizations led to further forms of blended artistic styles and cultures. Promoting cultural blending was further supported by the Mongol Empire’s beliefs in religious tolerance and cultural diversity. The Mongols promoted mutual tolerance and understanding between many tribes by allowing people to follow their faiths and customs. Numerous traditions and cultures were maintained and modified for the Mongol environment. For example, the Mongols preserved their traditions and practices while assimilating aspects of Persian culture, such as language, literature, and art (Strayer and Nelson, 165). The result of this process of cultural absorption was the creation of the distinctive Mongol culture, which combined aspects from other cultures. For example, a miniature painting shows a young lady holding a falcon, a representation of strength and dignity (Kamal al-Din Bihzad). The Mongol influence may be seen in the woman’s jewelry and clothing, while the artist’s mastery of classic Persian art forms can be seen in the painting’s intricate details and use of Persian Calligraphy.  The artwork was made during the Timurid Empire, a time of enormous artistic and cultural development in Central Asia. The Timurid rulers, who were descendants of Tamerlane, a Mongol conqueror, patronized the arts and encouraged cultural exchange. 

The expansion of trade routes in Asia during the 1200-1450 C.E. period had a lasting impact on the world: fostering economic growth, cultural exchange, and the development of new technologies. The Silk Road played an important role in connecting diverse cultures and increasing the exchange of goods, ideas, and religions. This is similar to the later development of the triangular trade between Europe, Africa, and the Americas. While the expansion of trade routes in Asia led to numerous positive outcomes, it also faced challenges such as competition among trading powers, the spread of the bubonic plaugue, and the exploitation of war by the Mongols. These issues did not change the overall massively great impact the Silk Road had on the progression of the world.