The Silk Road and its effects on the economic development of India, China, and Southeast Asia - Essay Example

The Silk Road Affiliation: The Silk Road marked a significant trade route that primarily linked China to the Roman Empire. This trade route was named the Silk Road following the dominance of Silk as a primary trade product. The origin of the Silk Road was Changan (currently Xian), and dates back to the period between 2nd century BC and the 14th century AD (Liu, 2010). The famous trade route did not get the name Silk Road until the year 1877 when Ferdinand von Richthofen came up with the name (Christian, 2000).

From China to the Mediterranean, long distance trade played a critical role in influencing the role of different civilizations.India, China, and Southeast Asia were central locations along the Silk Road. The trade route brought together a number of civilizations, with the common denominator of their interaction being the long distance trade between them. The trade locations that the Silk Road covered enhanced the history of every single party. Cultures were exchanged and the foundations of economic growth and development were laid.

The various dynasties that existed, including but not limited to Western Han (206 BC–24 AD), Eastern Han (25–220), and Tang (618–907) among others influenced the pursuits of each civilization involved (Boulnois, 2005).China was a key player in the long distance trade that made up the Silk Road. With the Silk Road named after the primary trade product, China’s economy was undoubtedly heading for growth and development. The traded silk in this route came from China, among other traded goods at the time (Christian, 2000).

The dominance of silk as a trade product in the Silk Road exacerbated the economic performance in China. Technologies were also exchanged; a scenario that best suited China’s economy. Contributing traders in this pursuit were the Indians, Bactrian, Sogdian traders between the 5th and 8th century CE, and later the Arabs and Persians (Waugh, 2007).ReferencesBoulnois, L. (2005). Silk Road: Monks, Warriors and Merchants on the Silk Road. New York:Odyssey Publications.Christian, D. (2000). "Silk Roads or Steppe Roads?

The Silk Roads in World History". Journalof World History (University of Hawaii Press) 2.1 (Spring): 1.Liu, X. (2010). The Silk Road in World History. New York: Oxford University Press.Waugh, D. (2007). "Richthofen "Silk Roads": Toward the Archeology of a Concept." The SilkRoad. Volume 5, Number 1, Summer 2007, pp. 1–10.