SILK ROUTE :THE FIRST GLOBAL TRADE ROUTE IN HISTORY

INTRODUCTION

DATES BACK SLIGHTLY MORE THAN 2 MILLENNIA

It originated in 220 BC, 206 BC during the Han Dynasty of China. It should be noted that before the setting up of the Silk Route in which the main commodity is Silk, a Trade destination was established connecting China with Central Asia, India, and the Middle East. However, during the Han Dynasty, these routes were more actively developed and organized, hence coining the term "Silk Route."

?CLUSTER OF TRADE ROUTES

It initiated the strengthening of relationships between the major continents such as Europe, Asia and Africa and also enabled the exchange of goods and ideas between civilizations and it has set routes for trade Diplomatic trade relationship. It connects China with Central Asia.

TECHNOLOGICAL INNOVATIONS

Major technological advancements have been done during the advent of trade on the way to the silk route some of these are as follows.

PAPERMAKING

Paper is a cost-effective medium for saving records and documentation during trade transactions en route the Silk Route. Merchants use these papers to document inventories, commercial agreements, financial transactions, enhancing the efficiency of trade.

GUNPOWDER

The popularity of gunpowder has skyrocketed as a result of the brought about of the Silk Route. The exchange of knowledge between China, the Islamic world, and Europe illustrates how technology and ideas traversed across vast distances and contributed to the development of different societies.

COMPASS

The Silk Route was a vast network of trade routes connecting China to the Mediterranean and beyond. The compass played a significant role in facilitating trade along these routes. Caravans and traders used compasses to maintain their sense of direction during long journeys through deserts and unfamiliar terrains.

ROLE OF THE GOODS SILK

Silk, produced exclusively in China at that time, played a crucial role in the development of trade routes. The Chinese at the time maintained a monopoly on silk production, and traders from the West, Even the Roman Empire, sought to acquire this luxurious and high-value fabric. Along with silk, the trade of other goods such as spices, precious metals, glassware, and precious stones flourished.

THE IMPACT OF THE SILK ROUTE ON CENTRAL ASIAN CUISINE

The advent of the silk route had a huge impact on Uyghur cuisine (central and eastern parts of Asia). They pipelined several ingredients & spices such as cumin, cinnamon, saffron, almond and pistachio. The fusion of culinary dishes such as dumplings and noodles has become a pivotal part of Asian cuisine

FALL OF SILK ROUTE

Instead of its decline, the legacy of the Silk Route lives to this day. It has significantly impacted the cultural development of the regions it connected, leaving lasting imprints on art, architecture, cuisine, language, and religion. In the modern era, efforts are being made to revive the spirit of the Silk Route through international initiatives, promoting cooperation, trade, and cultural exchange along similar routes.

?CONCLUSION

The silk route arguably can be confirmed as the precursor of globalization. Were exchange of Ideas, Cuisine, Technology happened.?