Unit two MKIs

Bills of exchange

A written order used primarily in international trade that binds one party to pay a fixed sum of money to another party on demand or at a predetermined date.

banking houses

early financial institutions that arose during the Middle Ages to facilitate long-distance trade, particularly along the Silk Roads

Paper Money

early forms of currency, first developed in Tang Dynasty, but became widely used on the silk road

Uyghur Script

an adapted Arabic-based writing system that the Mongols adopted for their empire in the 13th century to record administrative documents and spread their culture (lingua franca)

Khanates

a political entity or territory ruled by a khan, a title for a Mongol or Turkic leader, and refers to the regional states that emerged from the fragmentation of the Mongol Empire in the 13th and 14th centuries

Yuan Dynasty

a period in Chinese history when China was ruled by the Mongols, founded by Kublai Khan

Golden Horde

a Mongol khanate established in the 13th century that ruled over a vast territory in Eastern Europe and Central Asia, including much of Russia, from the 1240s until its eventual fragmentation in the 15th century

The Bubonic Plague

a bacterial infection caused by Yersinia pestis bacteria, typically transmitted to humans through the bites of infected fleas

Swahili City-States

a series of independent, thriving urban settlements along the East African coast that flourished from the 9th to the 16th centuries, becoming key hubs in the Indian Ocean trade network

Sultanate of Malacca

a significant Malay maritime trading empire in Southeast Asia that served as a vital hub in the Indian Ocean trade routes, linking East and West and controlled the strait of Malacca

Diasporic Communities

a group of people that live away from their homeland (Persians Arabic)

Zheng He

Chinese mariner, diplomat, who controlled 7 major maritime voyages in the Indian Ocean

Ibn Battuta

A muslim that lived in Morocco and traveled across Asia and provided firsthand accounts of the regions culture, religions, and trade networks

Marco Polo

a Venetian merchant, explorer, and writer who famously traveled through Asia in the late 13th century

Camel Saddle

a specialized harness designed to sit on a camel's back, providing stability and comfort for riders and cargo during long-distance desert travel, particularly along ancient trade routes like the Trans-Saharan network

Caravans

a group of travelers, often merchants, journeying together in a long line, especially across deserts or other challenging terrains, to ensure safety and efficiency

Margery Kempe

an English medieval mystic and author known for her autobiography and writings about women and trade in society

White Lotus Societ

a secret, syncretic religious and social organization in China that sought to overthrow corrupt rulers and establish a utopian age

Timbuktu

a historically significant city in the Mali Empire and later the Songhai Empire that was created because of trade

Monsoon Winds

seasonal prevailing winds that reverse direction annually, bringing heavy rainfall during the summer and dry conditions in the winter

lateen Sail

a triangular sail mounted on a long yard at an angle on the mast, enabling a ship to sail effectively against the wind by allowing it to tack

Stern Post Rudder

a Chinese invention that allowed for better ship control and navigation, marked a turning point in shipbuilding, and facilitated larger vessels and long-distance trade and exploration

Astrolabe

an ancient astronomical instrument used for navigation and timekeeping, particularly during the Age of Exploration, by measuring the altitude of celestial bodies like the sun or stars to determine latitude, identify the time of day and year, and locate other celestial object