Cultural Exchange via Trade - Research Paper Example

Cultural Exchange via Trade 1.1 Introduction Cultural exchange via trade has become quite famous in the Asian countries. This is the most appropriate way to learn various norms and religions. It not only helps common people spiritually but also helps in the development of many countries through trading goods and technologies as well. So it is a vast topic which is a combination of various things. Previously trade was done among people with goods or in terms of money but now due to modern tools such as Silk Road; it gave a new idea of cultural exchange through trade. Silk Road provides a wide network of trade in relation to culture. It is connected to Asian countries including south, east and western countries. It provides a vast era of cultural trade. Therefore this paper mainly emphasize on the trade that is conducted on the basis of cultural exchange. 1.2 Cultural exchange Culture exchange includes not only the transmission of goods but it also helps to share each other values and norms. Such as trading in relation to Silk Road has not only facilitated to transfer goods from one region to another but it also assisted in sharing the culture and ideas through religion. Various religions such as Buddhism, Islam, Christianity, Judaism all these have been spread throughout the world on the basis of trade networks and other institutions. Out of these institutions Silk Road have played a vital role in cultural exchange. Research proved that from second century (BC) to fifteenth century (AD), vast number of civilization was transmitted from many countries such as India, Rome, China and Greece from this route and making it known as Cultural Bridge. Therefore this bridge plays a most important role in exchanging culture of different countries (Corcoran James, 2002). Cultural exchange is mainly linked to the connection of people among various parts of the world and this can be done only at one single trade place where people from all religions can meet and share their values. Therefore, it is mainly trade which helps to facilitate cultural exchange through which ideas, norms and practice can be exchanged, which are the basics of any culture. But, in past due to the lack of protection, security and economic conditions, plus wars, reduced cultural exchange and borrowings. Therefore, people moved towards the traditional mode of business and techniques rather than focusing on culture. But many institutions kept on facilitating this cause such as India, China, Russia, Middle eat etc. so cultural exchange was always resent in the economy in unpredictable situations also. Countries always promoted cultural exchanges because it helps a country to develop and be more efficient. 1.3 Trade One of the most ancient institution or business in this world is trade and trading of goods is the basic fundamental rule, though presently situations are changed people have gone beyond goods in trading, but this concept is still present in our economy. The only problem in it is to have a peaceful exchange, i.e. there should be no threat, and there should be a specific place of trade, where people can get more opportunities and profit. The main feature of trade is that one should know how to connect with other people, as there are differences in language, culture, beliefs and norms. One should have full knowledge how to deal with such people. It is not only linked to goods but also helps to share culture, profession, knowledge and humanity. So trade is a broader concept which goes beyond sharing of goods and services (Stephen Davies, 2007). 1.4 Silk Road This road mainly helps in trading among various Asian countries. It is located in a desert which means there is less water, life or vegetables. It is a sandy place because the whole way is less developed but it helps to promote trade. Many people refer this place as “land of irrevocable death” just because of the nature of the place. However it is not one single road, many small roads are connected to it and promote trade in different regions. Silk Road not only helps in trading silk, but also involves other items such as glass, stones and precious metals to other countries. Some other goods are also traded such as gunpowder, material goods, technologies, bronze, lacquer and iron goods. So it means that this road plays a key role of trade in relation to cultural exchange. 1.5 Religions familiarized in China via Silk Road Through this route many religion of west were made familiar in China. Some of which are discussed below: Buddhism was firstly introduced in Yutian (BC) and from there it was spread to the other western regions. It was introduced in China in the Eastern Han Dynasty and it was mainly popularized by monks. They spread Buddhism by traveling to India to learn sutras via Silk Road. Zoroastrianism came in China during the phase of fifth century to first century (BC). It was the earliest religion introduced in this phase. Firstly, it was the religion of Persia, but latter was moved to east (Wood, Francis, 2002). Manichaeism is the combination of four religions such as Greek, Christianity, Judaism and Zoroastrianism. It became more popular among China people. But this religion was neglected by Tang Dynasty, in spite of that large number of common people believed in it. Nestorianism though is a school of Christianity, but it is different from it having many doctrines and values. It was firstly made familiarized in China through Silk Road and a temple was built to practice it believes, it had three names: Daqin Temple, Persian Temple and Roman Temple. But after Tang Dynasty there was a drastic fall in this religion because of which presently there are very few followers of this religion in the western regions. In order to spread Islam, Arab Muslim’s came to China through Silk Road. Islam greatly affected the beliefs of the people of China. It assisted not only the transmission of different religions but many creative and innovative people also transmitted through this route. Artist came from India, China, Iran etc. in together they bought new ideas and thoughts which helped in the development of the world economy. There also created a big interaction among various religions. After Silk Road, the most common known routes for cultural exchange are Almaty and Bishkek (Foltz Richard, 2010). 1.6 Benefits of cultural exchange via trade Cultural exchange provides many benefits if it is done in the means of trade, for instance exchange between the west and china have given the most significant result as compared to the other exchanges done in the economy. This was done by conveying silk spinning and breeding to the west. Some other inventions were also transmitted to the west. Though China had monopoly in silk that is why its production was always kept in secret. However, in 12th century, this technology was transmitted to western regions. This exchange not only helped china and west but was beneficial for the entire world. At a distance from goods technologies were also transmitted to the west such as gun powder, paper making and printing with all portable items. So it was beneficial not only in terms of culture as well as technologies (Li, Rongxi, 1995). Printing technique was introduced in Central Asia in Tang Dynasty. However this technique was brought to Europe when travelers went to China for visit through Silk Road. Another technology Karez was launched in the western regions through cultural exchange. This technology was mainly used for water storage in case of any uncertainties. It also provided benefits in relation to material exchange. Many products were transmitted to China from various countries such as carrots, walnuts, jewelry, grapes, cucumbers, pepper, Spanish etc. So, cultural exchange also assisted in transmission of material goods (Hallikainen, 2002). 1.7 Conclusion Presently, two big routes Silk Road and maritime are mainly used for cultural exchange, both of these are closely linked to the ancient routes. Kashgar is also considered as major player of trade in central Asian countries. It is a place where most of the traders sell their goods and they buy new goods from the point to take to their native countries. Trade on these routes are quite secure and profitable, there is no threat of anyone. Many merchants gather at this place, so they also share their cultural goods and beliefs with other people and one get inspire they go towards that way and guide other people also to follow that. So these trade routes have not only focused on trading goods and items but they have traded and exchanged their culture also through learning and experiences. References Corcoran James, (2002). The Religions of the Silk Road: Overland Trade and Cultural Exchange from Antiquity to the Fifteenth Century, Journal of World History, Vol 13, No 1, pp. 211-213 Foltz Richard, (2010). Religions of the Silk Road, Palgrave Macmillan, 2nd edition, pp. 1-10 Li, Rongxi, (1995). The Great Tang Dynasty Record of the Western Regions, Numata Center for Buddhist Translation and Research, Berkeley, California. Hallikainen, (2002). Connections from Europe to Asia and how the trading was affected by the cultural exchange. Wood, Francis, (2002). The Silk Road: Two Thousand Years in the Heart of Asia. Berkeley, CA: University of California Press. pp. 9, 13–23 Stephen Davies, (2007). Trade and diversity: globalization creates more productive, innovative and creative societies, Economics journal, Vol 57, N0 4. Read More