This issue capsules the origination of the term 'Silk Roads' and its foundation, along with the findings of the other caravan routes. Investigating the discovery of ancient civilisations, modern day Asian nation states and their bestowment towards the exchange of goods and philosophies, and the establishment of a new metropolis, this article aims to put deep focus on the history of silk roads in ancient Asia. Tracing the current developmental plight and innovation of a 'New Silk Road', this research concludes with the pros and cons of the existence of silk roads, and its path towards the forthcoming.
From the past 2,161 years, the world has observed remarkable evolution in the fields of global economy, trade exchange, textile innovation, integrating humanities and facilitating dialogues and interactions among civilisations. This evolution in world history has eventually made possible to eat a ripe mango in the middle of the dry season, obtain a product from across the globe in a matter of days, or even communicate almost instantly with anyone in the world through broadband connection. But, such a prodigious development had a region of origin. For millenia, it was believed to be the region lying between the east and the west, linking Europe with the Pacific Ocean. But turns out to be a region that is now home to states that evoke the exotic and the peripheral, which include Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and Turkmenistan, Tajikistan and the countries of the Caucasus. It is region associated with regimes that are unstable, violent and a threat to international security, including Iraq, Afghanistan, Yemen and Syria.
A region that is ill versed in the best practice of democracy, including Russia and Azerbaijan. Overall, it appears to be a series of failed states, places with poor records of human rights, where freedom of expression in matters of faith, conscience and sexuality is limited and where the control of media over the press, at time even censorship, is over-alarming. While such countries may seem bizarre to us, these are no backwaters. In fact, the bridge between the east and the west is the very crossroad of civilisation. It was here that many believe Mankind had been created, widely accepted to be located in the rich fields between the Tigris and the Euphrates. It was this bridge where the cities of Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro in Indus Valley were wonders of the ancient world. Other great centres of civilisation including Babylon, Nineveh, Uruk and Akkad in modern-day Iraq were in frame for their grandeur and architectural innovation. This is the region where the world's great religions jostled together. It is the region where linguistic groups of Indo-European and Sino-Tibetan coincided with Turkic and Caucasian tongues. This is the region where the SILK ROADS originated and traced yesterday's past, today's present and tomorrow's future.
Origin of the term Silk Road: The term Silk Road neither describes an actual road nor a single route, it rather refers to a network of routes used by traders for more than 1,500 years. First popularised by German geographer and traveller Ferdinand von Richthofen, the word derives from its German root Seidentrassen, literally meaning Silk Roads. Its alternative term Silk Route is also put in being.
Establishment of the Silk Roads: The expedition of Zhang Qian in 138 BC is considered to be the bedrock of the first silk road. On his return to Han China, his most important achievement was to demonstrate the possibility of a safe passage towards the far west. This began weaving the threads of a developed reciprocity among civilisations across Asia and consequently the exchange of valuable goods, especially the fame-holding Chinese silk.
These developments initially took place after the 2nd century, when the emergence of two great powers was flourishing in the world. Firstly, the Romans of Europe, and secondly, the Han Dynasty of China in the far east. Despite China's newfound strength, North and West China were constantly facing threats from the raids of Mongol and Turkic tribes, in particular from the Xiongnu tribe, better known as the Huns.
In order to protect themselves from these raiders, the Chinese were in need of horses. The only horses the Chinese had at that time were a small, pony-like breed. But, they had heard of a new kind, which was large, strong and capable of carrying armour-clad men into battles. The heavenly horses or the Tianma, as the Chinese called, were bred by people who lived in the valleys of Fergana in modern-day Uzbekistan. Since it lay on the other side of the Tian Shan mountains, the then Han emperor, Wu-di, decided to send an expedition to Ferghana. The man he chose was none other than Zhang himself. Zhang set of westwards, leaving behind the imperial capital of Changan. Together with his expedition of 100 other men, he journeyed to the western end of the Great Wall of China, which had been built to gather protection from Northern raiders. He further went on to venture towards the Taklamakan desert. With high passes on his course, Zhang received several threats from the Huns and was even held a prisoner for almost 13 years! After 13 deadly years of captivation and having left with only one companion, Zhang Qian was finally able to share his experiences from his 'Tianma' expedition. Firstly, the myths about the 'Heavenly horses' of Ferghana were absolutely just. Secondly, he was able to feel the presence of another great empire called Persia, and a fabulous domain to its South-East, called 'Bharata'. Lastly, he had found the greater potential for the trade with the west, laying the foundation for what is known today as the Silk Roads.
The road of spices, philosophy and more: The word spice derives from the Latin form species, meaning an item of special value. Spices were highly valued due to its importance in cooking, as well as religious and medicinal uses. Spices could only be grown in the tropical East, Southern China, Indonesia, Southern India and Sri Lanka. As trading links from Indonesia spread out through South and Central Asia, they met with trade routes crossing Western Asia and regions to the north, bring different religious and spiritual beliefs into contact with one another.
From as early as 2000 BC, spices such as cinnamon from Sri Lanka and cassia from China were exported along the Silk Roads as far west as the Arabian Peninsula and the Iranian Plateau. Every ship that sailed on the sea carried aromas of variant spices and thoughts.
Located in the centre of the world, India became a great player in the first global economy. In Kerala, the spice trade opened India to the world, whilst gold and silk bazaars in the ancient city of Madurai were a delight for visiting Greek traders. The Silk Route played a significant role in the cultural exchange between India and other countries, as it facilitated the exchange of ideas, religions and artistic styles. Ladakh is a major example of this cultural exchange. The silk road passed through Ladakh through the ancient trade routes of the Indus Valley, which connected India to Central Asia. The region was also an important centre of Buddhism and even today, many Buddhist monastries and cultural sites can be found. Similarly, Gartang Gali in Uttarkashi was an important centre for the trade of goods including silk, spices, tea and precious stones between India and Tibet. With the emergence of Mughal empire in 1526 came new tastes, styles and thoughts. Miniature painting, long favoured by the Mongols and Timurids, was now championed by the new rulers. Watching wrestling became popular, as did pigeon racing, both favoured as Central Asian pastimes.
Taking into account the Middle- East, Gaza in Palestine was a key- stop along the spice trade route. Oriental spices such as pepper, cardamom, as well as the likes of Indian silks, African wood and Arabian balsam were loaded into ships and sent to different parts of the world. Spices were transported through overland means as well. The nomadic Arab tribes like the Nabateans would ride their camels between Petra and Gazan ports exchanging spices.
The route was flourished with new ideas, monetary gains and immense architectural prosperities. For instance, there was a boom in gateway cities that were well located to hold major horse markets, including Kabul in Afghanistan. Lahore and Samarkand flourished with grand new monuments and carefully planned open spaces. The astonishing city of Fatehpur Sikri provides an equivocal of the buoyant ruling house. Baghdad painting was regarded as a model, with wide varieties of grape withers, rosettes, meander borders and bunce of berries being painted on panels. The palace walls of Afrasiyab and Varakshi, Samarra and Fustat encounter close analogies in carving motives, ornament designs and general styles. Performances of musicians, and dancers, tamers of wild animals, acrobats and mimes, magicians and illusionists flourished in ancient Turkic Kagan and Chinese empires. Similarities of music traditions of Kuchi and Kashgar, Bukhara and Samarkand merged with Chinese music traditions. The world witnessed a pinch of blend in its common lifestyle.
Manila - A new metropolis: With the foundation of Manila by the Spanish colonisers in 1571, the original establishment for spice acquirement became a major metropolis and a crucial connection between Asia and the Americas. Manila became and emporium where a rich array of goods could be bought. Many different kinds of silk was now available, including textures of velvet, satin and damasks. Bed ornaments, coverlets, cushions and carpets, metal basins and copper kettles made it a hub for other essentials. Tin, lead and gunpowder from China were also availed, alongside geese that resembled swans, talking birds and many other rarities. Manila was, in fact, the world's first global city.
Current plight and the path towards development: With initiatives dating back to 1994, UN Tourism was an early advocate of the silk roads. With the help of UNESCO and Chinese President Xi Jinping, China began to re-establish the ancient silk route in 2013, which had lost its significance in 1453 AD. Together had they launched a $900 billion project called, 'One Belt, One Road' (OBOR), to improve its connectivity with Asian, as well as European, Mediterranean and East African countries. A total of 70 countries, including Singapore, Indonesia, Maldives and Nicaragua, are a part of this project. The goal is to restore the route's significance by improving domestic growth through the export of good quality, cheap goods and materials globally.
Major investment in transcontinental railway lines has already opened up freight routes. For instance, the Yuxinou International Railway runs from China to a major distribution centre near Duisberg in Germany. In January 2017, a new rail service called the East Wind Freight train was formed to join Beijing and London through the English Channel. Other railway lines along the historic route are being planned to cross through countries including Iran, Turkey, the Balkans, Kazakhstan, India, Pakistan and Russia.
New intellectual centres of excellence are also emerging in a region that at one time produced the world's most outstanding scholars. Campuses have been springing up across the Persian Gulf. New centres for arts are being built, from the extraordinary National Museum of Qatar to the Guggenheim Museum in Abu Dhabi. To the Baku Museum of Arts to the National Library in Tashkent.
Western fashion houses like Prada and Burberry are building huge new store and seeing spectacular sales figures across the Persian Gulf, Russia and China. This is a region being revived and restored to former glory.
Conclusion: The Silk Roads held its age-old legacy of direct and indirect dialogues with countless civilisations. The great benefit was of the exchange of religions, culture, philosophy, art, language and other abstract aspects between countries. Yet, it was responsible for some of the most ruthless outcomes, including black death, smallpox and measles. It was responsible for wealth disparity as well, as it formed a huge gap between the upper and the lower classes of people. Despite such major difficulties, the it was able to outshine its glory. The silk roads not only made history for the jostling of different goods and spices, it was a major reason of globalisation in the world. This led to improved diplomatic relations, cultural fusion and creation of a perception of different civilisations. This is not it! Silk roads are the only cause for which, new business and marketing strategies emerged, multicultural cities grew, advancement of technologies took place in the smallest of countries and most importantly, a feeling of fraternity and unity strengthened us. In fact, silk roads have made our common lives so easy that we need not travel for purchasing an exquisite dress, a single tap on a fashion app is enough! The world is all set to drive into a new phase of super-advanced realm of AI, trade and economy, thanks to our ancient silk roads. With networks and connections quietly being knitted together across the spine of Asia, will we see the silk roads rising again.
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