Abstract
The term Silk Road was coined by the nineteenth-century German explorer Ferdinand von Richtofen. The Silk Road refers to a loose network of overland and see trade routes stretching from the Mediterranean to East Asia. Historical documents point out that textiles, gems, spices, animals and religions were all traded along this vast expanse, starting around 1000 B.C. and continuing for millennia. For much of this time, most Silk Road traders coming from western Eurasia were Muslim, and as one would expect, they brought their beliefs and rich culture to millions of people along the route. Around the eighth century, Muslims of the Arab world began to expand their religion and stopped thinking of Islam as the “Arab religion” with geographic borders and began seeking converts along the Silk Road. The benefits of conversion to such a widespread religion were many, as Muslims of the time preferred trading with other Muslims. Today the Hui, a Muslim Chinese minority numbering five million, are widely thought to be the descendants of Muslim merchants who settled in China at the end of their Silk Road journeys.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.