East Asia and Dar al-Islam (c. 1200–1450) - VOCABULARY Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms related to developments in East Asia and Dar al-Islam from c. 1200 to c. 1450 (Topic 1.1 and Topic 1.2).

Song Dynasty (China)

Chinese dynasty (c. 960–1279) known for a centralized imperial bureaucracy and a growing, commercially oriented economy.

Confucianism

Philosophical tradition emphasizing social harmony through hierarchical relationships, veneration of elders, and civil service ideals that underpinned governance.

Imperial bureaucracy

Administrative system of government staffed by officials selected through examinations to administer the state.

Filial piety

Confucian virtue demanding respect and obedience of children toward parents and ancestors; central to social and gender norms in East Asia.

Neo-Confucianism

Revival and synthesis of Confucian thought in East Asia, integrating Buddhist and Daoist ideas to support state ideology.

Theravada Buddhism

A major Buddhist branch emphasizing monastic discipline and the earliest teachings of the Buddha.

Mahayana Buddhism

A Buddhist branch emphasizing universal salvation and the bodhisattva path, with diverse schools and practices.

Tibetan Buddhism

Form of Buddhism practiced in Tibet with distinctive practices and leadership structures (e.g., Dalai Lama lineage).

Champa rice

Fast-ripening rice from Champa (Vietnam) introduced to China, boosting agricultural output and population.

Grand Canal

Large canal system linking northern and southern China, enhancing transport of goods and grain and stimulating trade.

Steel and iron production

Advances in metallurgy that increased the availability of steel and iron for tools, weapons, and infrastructure.

Textiles for export

Textile goods produced in Song China that were traded internationally and contributed to the economy.

Porcelains for export

High-quality ceramic wares produced in China, highly sought after in international markets.

Dar al-Islam

The Islamic world—regions under Muslim rule across Afro-Eurasia—sharing religious and cultural spheres.

Islam

Monotheistic Abrahamic faith founded in 7th-century Arabia; core beliefs include the Five Pillars and Sharia.

Judaism

Monotheistic Abrahamic religion with a covenantal relationship with God and distinct laws and traditions.

Christianity

Monotheistic Abrahamic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus; spread widely across Afro-Eurasia.

Abbasid Caliphate

Islamic caliphate centered in Baghdad (750–1258 CE); its fragmentation paved the way for new Islamic states.

Turkic states

Islamic polities dominated by Turkic peoples that emerged after Abbasid fragmentation (e.g., Seljuks).

Heian Japan

Japanese court period (794–1185) during which Chinese cultural traditions influenced literature, religion, and governance.

Korea (cultural exchange)

Korean adoption and adaptation of Chinese literary and scholarly traditions, influencing culture and governance.