Comparison in the Period from c. 1200 to c. 1450

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms and concepts related to state-building and the era c. 1200–c. 1450.

Song Dynasty

Chinese dynasty noted for long-term technological and cultural progress; maintained a strong central bureaucracy and led innovations such as Champa rice production.

Abbasid Caliphate

Islamic caliphate in the Middle East that fragmented due to invasions and trade shifts, paving the way for new Muslim states.

Chola Kingdom

South Indian state that built a strong, trade-based empire and centralized authority.

Vijayanagar Empire

South Indian empire that expanded and consolidated power through trade and strong governance.

Delhi Sultanate

Northern Indian Islamic sultanate that relied more on land-based power than maritime trade.

Mali Empire

West African empire larger and more centralized than Ghana; built on gold-salt trade and strong administration.

Aztecs

Tributary, militarized empire in Mesoamerica that relied on a strong military for control.

Inca Empire

Andean empire employing the mit’a labor system to support state-building and public works.

mit’a system

Inca labor tribute system used to mobilize labor for state projects and administration.

Mongols

Pastoral nomads from Central Asia who created the largest land-based empire and boosted Eurasian trade.

Seljuk Empire

Turkish-led empire that dominated parts of the eastern Mediterranean and Persia.

Ottoman Empire

Turkish-backed empire that became a dominant force in the eastern Mediterranean after the Seljuks.

House of Wisdom

Islamic center of learning in Baghdad that facilitated translation, science, and knowledge transfer.

Champa rice

Fast-rilling rice from Vietnam that boosted agricultural output and supported urban growth.

Paper manufacturing

Paper technology spread from China to Europe by the 13th century, enabling higher literacy and printing.

Confucianism

Philosophical system tied to civil service and governance; influenced bureaucratic rule in China.

Neo-Confucianism

Revival of Confucian thought that spread to Korea and Japan, aiding political legitimation.

Civil Service (China)

Confucian-based examination system that staffed a large bureaucracy and supported centralized rule.

Islam in state-building

Religion used to legitimize rulers and unify diverse populations across Afro-Eurasia.

Feudal Japan

Japan’s state became more decentralized and feudal, contrasting with the trend toward centralized states elsewhere.

Manorial system

Medieval European economic structure with serfdom that often slowed rapid central state-building.

Four Types of State-Building

Categories describing state-building outcomes: Emergence of New States; Revival of Former Empires; Synthesis of Different Traditions; Expansion in Scope.