Silk Route: 12 Treasures of Trade and Culture

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The Silk Road: A Historical Overview and Its Modern Implications

In today’s world, acquiring goods is a simple task, often requiring just a quick trip to the local mall. However, thousands of years ago, trade was a far more complex endeavor. If a community lacked certain resources, individuals had to embark on long journeys to obtain them, often facing numerous challenges. This ancient trade not only facilitated the exchange of goods but also fostered cross-cultural interactions.

The emergence of larger towns in Mesopotamia and Egypt marked the decline of self-sufficiency. Local markets began to thrive, allowing farmers to trade surplus grain for meat or pottery. As cities grew, so did the desire for goods from distant lands, leading to the establishment of trade routes. The first long-distance trade networks connected Mesopotamia with the Indus Valley around 3000 BC, primarily facilitating the exchange of luxury items like spices, textiles, and precious metals.

The domestication of camels around 1000 BC further encouraged land trade routes, linking India with the Mediterranean. These routes enabled the transfer of raw materials and luxury goods, with China supplying silk and South Asia offering spices. Over time, these routes evolved into what we now recognize as the Silk Roads, vital for trade and communication across Eurasia.

In September 2013, Chinese President Xi Jinping announced the revival of the Silk Road through the “Silk Road Economic Belt.” This initiative aims to enhance international cooperation and development across the region, reconnecting ancient trade pathways and fostering economic growth.

Understanding the Silk Road

The term "Silk Road," coined in 1877 by German geographer Ferdinand von Richtofen, refers to a network of trade routes connecting the Mediterranean to the Far East. Silk was a primary commodity, but other goods like spices and metals also flowed through these routes, significantly impacting economies and cultures.

Historically, the Silk Road experienced three golden eras, notably between the second century BCE and the second century CE, the seventh to tenth centuries CE, and the twelfth to fourteenth centuries. Key empires, such as those of Alexander the Great and the Mongols, played critical roles in expanding these trade routes.

Geographic Context and Trade Routes

The Silk Road consists of various interlinked routes across Asia, starting in cities like Xi’an and extending through Central Asia, Iran, and into Europe. The overland routes connected key regions, while the maritime Silk Road facilitated trade via sea, linking ports from China to the Mediterranean.

In modern times, the revival of these routes poses significant costs. China has pledged substantial investments to upgrade infrastructure, emphasizing connectivity and trade across Eurasia.
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11. 1 Spice Route Silk Route

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13. 13 THE SILK ROUTE ( ASIA TO EUROPE ) 13

14. The aim of my presentation is to apprise the house regarding “The silk route, its history, its impact on World economy and on Pakistan and its analysis” AIM 14

15. History of Silk Route Geographical Dimensions 15 SEQUENCE Construction Cost Effect on Trade Introduction of the Silk Route

16. Impacts on Pakistan Economy Analysis/Recommendations Q & A 16 SEQUENCE Impacts on World Economy

17. 17 INTRODUCTION The term introduced by German geographer Ferdinand von Richtofen Silk as a major product Payments in Gold Trade route between Mediterranean and Far East

18. 15 PAF ATCR SIMULATOR 16 HISTORY OF THE SILK ROUTE

19. 19 HISTORY The second century BCE to the second century CE The seventh to tenth century CE The twelfth to fourteenth century Decline of the Silk Road CONT’D

20. 20 HISTORY The second century BCE to the second century CE Alexander the Great Alexander Empire Chinese general, Zhang Qian Silk Chinese product CONT’D

21. 21 HISTORY Seventh Century to Tenth Century China under the Tang Dynasty Islam began to dominate Xuan Zang , a Buddhist monk Tang Dynasty lost influence Arab merchant rely on sea route more CONT’D

22. 22 HISTORY Twelfth Century to Fourteenth Century Central Asia and China united under Mongol Empire Kublai Khan bring the entire silk route under Mongol Empire Marco Polo visited China Rabban bar Suama reached Paris and Rome

23. 23 HISTORY Decline of the Silk Road Fall of Mongolian Empire Sailor Vasco da Gama Sea route become the major trade route between European established colonies in Asia Ming Dynasty stop trading silk

24. 15 16 GEOGRAPHY OF THE SILK ROUTE

25. 25 GEOGRAPHY

26. 14 LANZHOU URUMQI HOTAN DUNHAUANG KASHGAR TASHKENT SAMARKAND TEHRAN BHAGDAD DAMASCUS ROME CAIRO BOKHARA CHANG’AN ALEXANDRIA BEIJING HANGZHO LAND ROUTES

27. 14 KASHGAR PESHAWER GILGIT TAXILA GWADAR LAHORE NEW DELHI BACTRIA KABUL KARACHI SILK ROUTE IN PAKISTAN & INDIA

28. 14 KOLKATA CHITTAGONG RANGOON KAULA LAM PUR JAKARTA HAIKOU GUANGZHOU HANGZHOU ALEXANDRIA KARACHI BOMBAI COLOMBO GWADAR BASRA ADEN D’JIBOUTI NAIROBI ROME MUSCAT MARITIME SILK ROUTE

29. 15 16 CONSTRUCTION COST

30. 30 Construction cost Mind Blowingly High : could not be estimated Silk Road Fund : $ 40 Billion Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank : $ 100 Billion

31. 15 16 EFFECT ON TRADE

32. 31 EFFECT ON TRADE Recent energy crises and price fluctuations Kazakhstan oil reserves Turkmenistan excessive gas reserves. Energy Decoupling hydrocarbon trade from Dollar Local currencies and trading partner currencies Dollar downgrading De-Value of Dollar CONT’D

33. 32 EFFECT ON TRADE Duisburg, the world’s largest inland harbor China to Duisburg 18 days Shift the global balance of trade . More Trading Some ocean carriers will lose considerably to minimize the amount of time Land Route than Sea route

34. 15 16 Impact on Economy of Concerned Countries

35. 35 Impact on Economy of Concerned Countries Prosperity and People To People Contact Countries have socio-economic ties Bring prosperity to people of the entire region Cultural exchanges between Asia and Europe CONT’D

36. 36 Impact on Economy of Concerned Countries Market Potential and Geographic Advantages Benefit from financing from China China cheap and abundant labor Chinese investment in the region has increased CONT’D

37. 37 Impact on Economy of Concerned Countries Less Dependant on World Bank New Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank Help build ports, roads, power projects Challenge to U.S.-dominated financial and trade institutions in the region CONT’D

38. 38 Impact on Economy of Concerned Countries Tourism Jointly develop tourism along the ancient trade route Tourism to be leading industry Countries will issue more tourist-friendly policies

39. 39 Impact on Economy of Concerned Countries Help Reduce Terrorism Help to shake off poverty To uplift economy of Terrorist hit countries Factories along the silk route

40. 15 16 IMPACT ON PAKISTAN

41. 41 IMPACT ON PAKISTAN Dreams to Come True Great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation Pakistan, an Asian tiger The economic corridor project CONT’D

42. 42 IMPACT ON PAKISTAN Construction of Road/Railway Infrastructure Karakorm Highway Three connective railroads 1,800-kilometer China-Pakistan railway CONT’D

43. 43 IMPACT ON PAKISTAN Oil & Gas Pipelines New Energy Sources Economic stability Science & Technology Employment Transportation Sector Friendly Relations Alternate Energy Resources Alternate Energy Resources Alternate Energy Resources Development

44. 15 16 analysis/recommendation

45. RECOMMENDATIONS 45 Poor transportation infrastructure My key roads need upgrades or reconstruction Require massive financial support CONT’D

46. RECOMMENDATIONS 46 China’s growing presence in their countries might be a threat Sharing and prospering together Mutual benefit and win-win results CONT’D

47. RECOMMENDATIONS 47 Terrorism and separatism A stable social environment China to face political resistance China to revive its shipping companies The multiple choices available for logistics corridors