Era 1, 1200 CE to 1450 CE: The Golden Age of Islam + Indian Ocean Basin (Quizlet #6)

Era 1 Overview, 1200 CE-1450 CE

-Era 1 from 1200 - 1450 CE saw a rise in several important Land-Based Empires, as well as a huge increase in trade and travel;

-CRITICAL ERA 1 EMPIRES TO KNOW:

-Song Dynasty in China/East Asia

-Mayans, Incans, and Aztecs in the Americas

-The disintegration of the Abbasid Caliphate into several smaller Turkic empires in the Middle East/South Asia

-The Islamic Delhi Sultanate in South Asia

-Kingdom of Zimbabwe, Mali Empire in Africa

-Feudalism and decentralization (no empire) in Western Europe

-The Mongol Empire in Asia/Middle East; they come in at the end and knock many empires down!

TRADE also massive. BIG FOUR ERA 1TRADE NETWORKS TO KNOW:

-Silk Roads in Eurasia/Middle East

-Trans-Saharan Routes in Africa

-Indian Ocean Basin trade

-Mediterranean Sea Trade

RELIGION also huge, with the spread of Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, and Buddhism

-The Black Plague, Marco Polo, Ibn Battuta, also major terms!

Islamic Golden Age 800 CE-1258 CE

-Period of time where Islamic scholarship and inventions really took off

-Islamic mathematicians, astronomers, chemists, translators, and historians all compiled massive amounts of knowledge and added their own works as well

-The House of Wisdom in Baghdad considered the epicenter of learning

-One of the first tasks was gathering knowledge from other countries; Islamic Scholars particularly built on Greek and Indian knowledge

-By building on Greek and Indian knowledge, we see cultural and technological diffusion

-Great Mathematicians like Nasir al-Tusi helped define mathematics

-Universities like Sankore Madrasah in Mali sprung up

-Improvements to the Astrolabe allowed Islamic merchants to trade in the Indian Ocean Basin; other inventions included medical inventions relating to surgery, parts of Algebra, the magnifying glass, and new methods of producing paper

-Most historians say it ended in 1258 with the Mongols Sack of Baghdad and the destruction of the House of Wisdom; others say it continued through the reign of Suleiman the Magnificent in the Ottoman Empire in the 1500's

Nasir al-Tusi 1201 CE-1274 CE

-Lived during the Abbasid Caliphate

-was a Twelver Shia Muslim, a type of Islam

-was a famous and brilliant mathematician who developed the famous Law of Sines for Plane Triangles and helped create the field of spherical trigonometry

-Arabic

-Considered one of the fathers of Trigonometry

-Also considered a polymath--meaning he excelled in many fields, and was considered one of the true geniuses of his day

-left a lasting legacy in the fields of Mathematics, Biology, Logic, Chemistry, and Astronomy

-met and was influenced by Attar of Nishapur, a famous Sufi Mystic (a type of Islamic Missionary)

-had to move constantly in the early 1200's as Genghis Khan and the Mongols swept through Persia, sacking Urgench and Bagdhad

-Most likely worked in the House of Wisdom in Baghdad before the Mongols destroyed it

-has a planet in outer space named after him as a modern Soviet astronomer revered (admired) his work

Attar of Nishapur 1221 CE

-Legendary Sufi master [ Islamic missionary]

-Sufi mystics were a Islamic missionaries that emphasized looking inwards

-considered a legendary Persian, Islamic, and Sufi scholar and poet by the time of his death in 1221 CE

-Left a lasting influence in Persian poetry and Sufism; Sufi Mystics were major missionary that helped spread Islam throughout Eurasia and Africa.

-one of his most famous works was "The Conference of the Birds"

-probably visited the House of Wisdom in Baghdad, capital city of the Abbasid Empire

-Met Nasir al-Tusi, the famous mathematician and polymath, who considered him to be a very influential figure

-died a violent death when he was killed by the Mongols in 1221 CE when Genghis Khan and his armies massacred and sacked his city. He was 78 years old

Samarkand

-major trading city in Central Asia that was a central destination along the Silk Roads from 1200 CE to 1450 CE

-Crucial city connecting East Asia and the Song Dynasty with the Abbasid Caliphate in the Middle East and the Delhi Sultanate in Northern India

-Was known as incredibly diverse, with all the major religions including Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, Christianity, and Judaism represented

-Was briefly controlled by the Abbasid Caliphate and became a strong center of Islam, with many beautiful mosques constructed, including the Bibi-Khanym Mosque in 1405

-silk, spices, and porcelain flowed in from the East from Song, Ming, and later Qing China

-Diamonds, spices, and precious stones came in from the Delhi Sultanate in India

-Textiles (cloths), gold, mathematics flowed in from the Middle East/Abbasid Caliphate

-Was taken over by the Mongols and Genghis Khan, who massacred some of the residents of the city and forced 30,000 men to fight and also deported 30,000 craftsmen/artisans to Karakorum, the Mongol capital

-Flourished under the Mongols during the "Pax Mongolica," although the city was devastated by the Black Plague in the 1300's and 1400's

Bibi-Khanym Mosque 1405

-beautiful Islamic mosque constructed in Samarkand

-Samarkand was a bustling (energetic) trading city in Central Asia right on the Silk Roads that was full of merchants of all religions and faiths, as Hindus, Buddhists, Christians, and Jews were all represented

-However, after the Abbasid Caliphate briefly possessed Samarkand, it became an ever stronger center of Islam and many stunning mosques were constructed, including this one

-when it was built in the 15th century (1400's), it was one of the largest and most beautiful mosques or Islamic monuments in the world, right up there with the Sulemaniye Mosque, Hagia Sophia, Taj Mahal, and the Blue Mosque

Damascus

-major city in modern day Syria, in the Middle East/SW Asia

-by 1200 CE, major Islamic trading city on the Silk Roads and center of trade

-was the capital city of the Umayyad Caliphate, before they were toppled by the Abbasid Caliphate, who moved their capital to Baghdad where the House of Wisdom was located

-at times was part of the Abbasid Caliphate and Ottoman Empire

-famous for having all of the Chinese and Byzantine silks and textiles (cloth, clothing); major trading city for Italian merchants who would ship goods from Syria through the Mediterranean Sea Lanes into Western Europe

-Chinese and Indian spices would be flowing through Damascus to Europe; gold, salt, and ivory from North Africa; and wool, olive oil, and wine coming from Western Europe

-Was hit really hard by the Plague, with almost half of the city's population dying from the Black Death in the 1300's; would later be part of the Ottoman Empire

-Incredibly diverse city with Sunni and Shi'a Muslims, Christians, Jews, Hindus, Buddhists, all represented

Ibn Battuta

-Record setting Islamic world traveler

-Was an Islamic judge or "qadi"; would be employed as a judge in every town he went to

-traveled all around Eurasia, including China, Middle East, Africa, and the Mediterranean

-Married several times, traveled thousands of miles. Had traveled the greatest known distance until the Steamboat was invented

-From his writings, we know a lot about the ancient world from 1200 CE to 1450 CE

Theravada Buddhism

-Buddhism began in India with Siddhartha Gautama and spread throughout Asia through trade, merchants, and missionaries along the Silk Roads and Indian Ocean Sea Lanes

-As Buddhism spread, it developed into different branches and sects (parts); all still emphasize the Four Noble Truths and the Eight Fold Path

-One sect was called _________________________________ Buddhism.

-This was one of the strictest branches of Buddhism and emphasized discipline, meditation, seeking Enlightenment, and following the codes and rules of Buddhism

-Spread to Southeast Asia and became the most popular form of Buddhism in countries like Laos, Thailand, Cambodia, and is practiced by populations in Vietnam, India, and more countries

Margery Kempe 1373-1438

-British woman and Christian mystic missionary who wrote a book called the "Book of Margery Kempe" (ca. 1438), a work considered by some to be the first autobiography in the English language.

-Travelled extensively on religious pilgrimages to holy sites throughout Europe and the Middle East, including Jerusalem

-Her book also discusses her mystical conversations with God, and her resistance to sexual temptations

-She would preach publicly about her visions and conversations with God; however, women were not supposed to preach

-Because she was preaching and for some of her controversial religious opinions, she was tried for heresy (false religion). She was put on trial many times, but was never convicted

-She is currently honored by the Anglican Church but was never made a saint by the Catholic Church

Nyai Pinateh, The Great Lady of Gresik 1410-1489

When the European merchants arrived in Southeast Asia to trade in spices, they were surprised to find that the majority of trade was controlled by female merchants

-In Southeast Asian culture, women were in charge of most occupations that involved selling and trading in the public marketplaces

-Women would also be able to change foreign money/currency and make trade go more smoothly-Women would also be in charge of keeping records and doing mathematical accounting

-One of the most famous female merchants was ________________________, who was incredibly wealthy. She was known as the Great Lady of Gresik, and traded in current day Indonesia. She owned many ships and sent them to Bali, Cambodia, and beyond

-She was Chinese and Islamic, like the great Ming Admiral Zheng He (1425)

-In 1421 she met Zheng He, who appointed her brother to rule over an island; she became the "shahbander" or port master of her city of Gresik in Indonesia (Southeast Asia)

-She was a powerful merchant who also was dedicated to spreading Islam as a Chinese Muslim

Collapse of Empires, 1200 CE to 1450 CE

-From 1200 CE to 1450 CE, many Empires collapsed as the Plague and the Mongols spread throughout Afro-Eurasia

-Disease could weaken an empire, the Plague was ravaging Eurasia and North Africa at the time

-The Mongols knocked over the Song Dynasty, the Abbasid Caliphate, and many other Eurasian dynasties as well

-In Africa, the Mali Empire and the Kingdom of Zimbabwe were both taken over by aggressive outside invaders

-Shortly after this time, the Spanish conquistadors would bring down the Incan and Aztec Empires in the Americas in the early 1500's

-Religious wars could result in the downfall of empires too, as Islam, Christianity, Buddhism and Hinduism were all spreading

Sikhism in South Asia (late 1400's to Present)

-Sikhism was a religion that combined elements of Hinduism and Islam, making it a syncretic [mixed] religion

-It developed in South Asia, in India, where these two religions were really mixing

-Started in the late 1400's and continues today

-The fifth largest religion today, and one of the youngest major religions

-founded by Guru Nanak, and is based on his teachings and those of the nine Sikh gurus

-fundamental beliefs include faith and meditation on the name of the one creator, divine unity and equality of all humankind, engaging in selfless service, striving for justice for the benefit and prosperity of all and honest conduct and livelihood while living a householder's life

-Sikhs typically wear head coverings or turbans

Guru Nanak and Sikhism (late 1400's early 1500's)

-Sikhism was a religion that combined elements of Hinduism and Islam making it a syncretic religion ; it was started by ____________________________

-It developed in South Asia, in India, where these two religions were really mixing

-Started in the late 1400's and continues today

-It's the fifth largest religion today, and one of the youngest major religions

-founded by __________________________ , and is based on his teachings and those of the nine Sikh gurus

-fundamental beliefs include faith and meditation on the name of the one creator, divine unity and equality of all humankind, engaging in selfless service, striving for justice for the benefit and prosperity of all and honest conduct and livelihood while living a householder's life

-Sikhs typically wear head coverings or turbans

Four Major Old World Trading Routes 1200 CE to 1450 CE

-Four major trading routes dominated Afro-Eurasia from 1200 CE to 1450 CE. There are other trade routes in the Americas, but the population of humans was far lower in the Americas than in Afro-Eurasia

-Trade would pass along not only economic goods, but also cultural/religious ideas, military technology, diseases, and general technology

There four major trade routes were all in Eurasia or North Africa. Sub-Saharan African received some trade through these routes, but less than other areas.

-The Four Major Long-Distance Trading Routes you need to know are:

-The Eurasian Silk Roads

-The Trans-Saharan Caravan Routes

-The Indian Ocean Sea Lanes

-The Mediterranean Sea Lanes

-These trading routes would also continue into later eras

Indian Ocean Trade 1200 CE to 1450 CE

This area includes the East Coast of Africa, the Middle East (Persia), and India (South Asia).

-The Bantus, a group of migratory pastoralists (herders/farmers) settled on the East Coast of Africa

-The Bantus Created the Swahili City States;

-Exports from Africa (goods leaving Africa) : Gold, and ivory coming from Africa being traded to Persia and India

-Africans were also being enslaved and were sold throughout the Indian Ocean region

-Exports from India: Cotton and silk leaving from India

-Exports from China: Silk, spices, and Porcelain leaving from China

-Islam also began to spread as a result in the region, as well as Hinduism, Buddhism, and even Christianity

Lateen Sail 1200 CE-1450 CE

-Triangular sail that was developed in the Mediterranean that allowed a ship to sail against the wind.

-This was really important because a ship did not require favorable winds to get where it wanted to go

-Once it was invented in the Mediterranean Region, it diffused (spread) to the Indian Ocean Basin

-This invention increased the ability of ships to trade in the Indian Ocean Region and to East Asia/China

Dhow Ships 1200 CE to 1450 CE

-A traditional Arab or Indian sailing vessel with one or more lateen (triangular) sails.

-It is primarily used to carry heavy items, like fruit, along the coasts of the Indian Ocean.

-Increased trade in Indian Ocean Region and East Asia

-There is controversy amongst historians about when and where it was invented. It was either Arabic or Indian, but people argue about that. The exact time of invention is also controversial, but ultimately it would hold a lot of significance in history as a major trading vessel moving foods, spices, and heavy goods around the Indian Ocean basin

-Could have been used by merchants representing the Delhi Sultanate in Northern India or the Great Kingdom of Zimbabwe, or the Swahili City States

The Monsoon System

-In the Indian Ocean Basin

-In Summer, winds blew from Southwest

-In Winter, winds blew from Northeast

-Once Arabic, African, and Asian traders knew the wind patterns, they would time their trips to have the wind at their backs

-Synthesis comparison: the "volta do mar" that the Portuguese and European sailors used to navigate home through the Atlantic Ocean

African Trade in Indian Ocean Basin

- gold, Ivory, and exotic animals were traded from Africa in this region

-there was also slave trade in this region, as Africans were being enslaved and were traded from Africa to India and the Middle East

Indian Trade Goods in the Indian Ocean Basin

-Cotton and silk textiles

-pepper and cinnamon spices

-diamonds, rubies, emeralds, pearls, precious stones

Chinese Trade Goods in the Indian Ocean Basin

-Silks and Porcelain (delicate pottery)

-Spices

Mediterranean Sea Trade 1200 CE to 1450 CE

-Trade happened on water

-Spices, textiles, diamonds and pearls coming from India

-Grain from Persia and Egypt used for food

-Wine and Olive Oil coming from Italy and Greece

-Enslaved persons coming from Africa and other societies as well

Italian and Greek Trade Goods

-Wine and Olive Oil

-Iron tools and wool

-Part of the Mediterranean Sea Trade

North African Trade Goods in Mediterranean

-Grains to make bread and food

-Textiles (cloth)

The Silk Roads Trade

-Probably the most important trading route in the world from 200 CE - 1450 CE

-Overland Trading route

-Started during Han Dynasty, began in China

-Went all the West and ended in the Middle East/Persia/ Mediterranean Area

-Had overland connections to India, the Delhi Sultanate, and other kingdoms.

-Also had a sea route through Indian Ocean, connected to the spice islands in Southeast Asia (SE Asia)

-Silk, porcelain, and spices travelled West from China and Southeast Asia

-Horses, wool, olive oil, iron tools, going East from Mediterranean region

-Huge in spreading religions like Buddhism, Hinduism, Christianity, and Islam

-Caravanserais were like hotels for merchants and travellers with horses, camels, etc.

-Major cities include Chang'an in China, Samarkand and Karakorum in Central Asia, Delhi in India, and Constantinople (Middle East).

Oceania and Polynesia

-This is a tiny region of islands in the Pacific Ocean that includes Australia and the islands off the coast of Australia

-Much of this region was settled during the Polynesian Migration when the Polynesians set out on outrigger canoes into the ocean

-When they went to new islands such as Fiji and Hawaii they brought domesticated animals and agricultural techniques with them on the boats; so the boats would be filled with yams and bananas and pigs and chickens

-By 1750 CE, this area still had been unexplored by Europeans. It was the one region of the world besides Antarctica still cut off from the global economy and the global trade network, and was one of the last areas of the world to be explored and connected to the bigger trade networks

Yams and Bananas, Polynesian Migration

-domesticated plants (foods) that the Polynesians brought with them when they migrated through the Pacific Islands; they would fill their outrigger canoes up with these items and bring them

-That way when they arrived at a new island they would be ready to go with food to grow right away

-They would also bring domesticated animals like pigs and chickens

-These two crops had a big demographic impact, as populations on the islands went up due to the new sources of calories and healthier diets

-These plants also had an environmental impact on the islands in Oceania. In order to grow them, forests were cleared, trees knocked down, and rivers used for irrigation

-They also had an environmental impact because as they grew, they took resources, land, and water away from other native plants on islands like Hawaii and Fiji in Oceania

Sufi Mystic Missionaries

-Some of the most effective Islamic missionaries

-They themselves were incredibly devoted to Islam, and would be examples of piousness (devotion). Some would even give up all of their possessions (charity part of the five pillars!) and live as beggars to show their dedication.

-They would spread the word of Islam far and wide through Dar al-Islam and beyond, travelling through the four major trade zones to spread Islam

- They were effective missionaries because they would often allow people to keep some of their own customs and mix it with Islam, meaning they would allow some syncretism (mixing of religions)

-Because of their devotion and allowance for syncretism, they won thousands of converts and were especially successful in India and Persia