SILK ROUTE BUSINESS EVOLUTION AND

IT’S IMPACT
 THE SILK ROUTE

• The Silk Road was a network of trade routes connecting the

East and West from China to the Mediterranean Sea.
• It facilitated the exchange of goods, ideas, and culture
between the different civilizations it connected.
• The Silk Road played a crucial role in the development of
global trade and commerce.
 Origin
Military plan
⦿Emperor Wudi of the Han Dynasty sent a
general to explore the west and form
alliances to fight the Mongols.

⦿General Zhang Qian returned without

allies, but with information about large
western trade empires that were eager for
Chinese silk.

⦿Silk Road began around year 130 B.C.E

 History of the Silk Road
 Initiation in China (130 BCE)- The Silk Road was initiated and spread by China's Han
dynasty through exploration and conquests in Central Asia.

 Roman Empire (30 BCE – 3rd century CE)-Soon after the Roman conquest of Egypt in
30 BCE, regular communications and trade between China, Southeast Asia, India, the Middle
East, Africa, and Europe blossomed on an unprecedented scale.

 Tang dynasty (7th century)-

 Although the Silk Road was initially formulated during the reign of Emperor Wu of Han(141–87 BCE),
it was reopened by the Tang Empire in 639 when HouJunji conquered the Western Regions, and
remained open for almost four decades.

 Islamic era (8th–13th centuries)-

 At the end of its glory, the routes brought about the largest continental empire ever, the Mongol Empire,
with its political centres strung along the Silk Road (Beijing) in North China, Karakorum in central
Mongolia, Sarmakhand in Transoxiana, Tabriz in Northern Iran
 INTRODUCING THE SILK ROUTE

 The Silk road was a network of trade routes connecting the East
and West from China to the Mediterranean Sea.
 It facilitated the exchange of goods, ideas, and culture between the
different civilizations it connected.
 The Route from Eastern China to the Mediterranean Sea
Connected Europe and Asia
 The silk Route consisted of many links with many middlemen or
merchants along the way
 Merchants became rich as goods moved along the Silk Road
Origin of silk

 Silk
is one of the softest fabrics in
the world. It was a symbol of
wealth in the ancient world.

 Silk-discovered in China was kept as a
secret from the world
 Silk harvested from silk and processed
into the fabric
 Romans created a high demand for the
product ,Eventually silk moths were
smuggled out of China and the Romans
created their own supply
 ROLE OF INDIA IN THE SILK ROUTE TRADE

 India played a key role in the silk road as an intermediary

between china and rome.
 The silk road was an ancient trade route that linked india with
the old world.
 It facilitated the exchange of goods, ideas, art, culture,
language, and religion across different civilizations.
 India benefited from the silk road because it gave them new
customers and new trade connections for their most valuable
goods, especially spices.
SILK ROAD : GOODS FROM ASIA TO
EUROPE
 Silk
 Porcelain
 Tea
 Gems
 Spices
SILK ROAD : GOODS FROM EUROPE TO ASIA

 Glassware
 Gold
 Silver
 Dyes
 Oils
TRADE AND CULTURAL EXCHANGE

 The Silk Road was not only a trade

network, but also a cultural exchange
route.
 It facilitated the spread of ideas,
religions, and technologies between
the different civilizations it connected.
 For example, Buddhism spread from
India to China through the Silk Road.
 INNOVATION AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP
 The Silk Road sparked innovation and
entrepreneurship, as traders and merchants
sought new opportunities and markets.

 They developed new technologies such as

paper money and the compass, which
revolutionized global trade.

 The Silk Road also stimulated the growth of

cities and the rise of new economic centers.
 FACTS ABOUT THE SILK ROAD

 Length-The total length of the Silk Road was about

9,000 kilometers (5,500 miles).
 Buddhism-The transmission of Buddhism to China
from India and Central Asia to the Han Empire via the
Silk Road is thought to have mainly begun after 68 AD
partly through the efforts of Emperor Ming (58–75).
 Nominclature- In 1877, Ferdinand Van a prominent
geographer who worked in China from 1868 to 1872,
coined the term "Silk Route" while making a Silk Road
map Ferdinand Van
 MARCO POLO
 One of the most famous travelers of the Silk Road
was Marco Polo (1254 C.E. –1324 C.E.).
 Born into a family of wealthy merchants in Venice,
Italy, Marco traveled with his father to China (then
Cathay) when he was just 17 years of age.
 They traveled for over three years before arriving at
Kublai Khan’s palace at Xanadu in 1275 C.E. Marco
stayed on at Khan’s court and was sent on missions to
parts of Asia never before visited by Europeans.
 Upon his return, Marco Polo wrote about his
adventures, making him—and the routes he traveled
—famous.
THE SILK ROAD AND GLOBAL BUSINESS

 Development-The Silk Road played a crucial role in

the Development of global trade and commerce.
 Connection between different civilizations-It
facilitated the exchange of goods between the
different civilizations it connected, and paved the way
for the Modern global trade system.
 Innovation- The Silk Road also sparked innovation
and entrepreneurship, as traders and merchants
sought new opportunities and markets.
 THE SILK ROAD AND GLOBAL BUSINESS
 Growth- The Silk Road had a significant impact on businesses in different regions of
the world. It led to the growth of international trade, which helped to create new
markets and opportunities for businesses

 Trade- The Silk Road facilitated the exchange of goods such as silk, spices, tea, and
porcelain, which were highly valued in different parts of the world

 Cultural exchange - It also allowed for the exchange of ideas, languages, religions,
and customs between different cultures

 Dawn of new industries-The Silk Road helped to create new industries such as
textiles, paper-making, and printing
 MODERN SILK ROUTE
 China- In recent times, China has been working on reviving the Silk Road through
its ambitious “One Belt, One Road” initiative. The initiative aims to connect China
with Europe and other parts of Asia through a network of roads, railways, ports, and
other infrastructure projects.
 The initiative is expected to boost trade and investment between different regions
of the world and create new opportunities for businesses

 India- The India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) is a proposed

economic corridor that aims to connect India with the Middle East and Europe
through a network of roads, railways, ports, and other infrastructure projects The
project is expected to boost trade and investment between different regions of the
world and create new opportunities for businesses which is deemed as modern silk
route.
 SIGNIFICANCE OF SILK ROAD IN ANCIENT TIMES

 From 600 to 1200 AD , the silk road served as the main route for trade and the connection
between eastern and western cultures
 The roadways provided lifetime opportunities for traders, pilgrims ,soldiers , explorers, etc.
 With departure points in Asia, it connected sea channels all over the region
 It was most extensive land route in human history that connected the most developed and
mighty civilizations of the world, majority were concentrated on the Mediterranean yellow and
Yangtze river basins
 Technologies that changed the world spread westward along the Silk Road
 Religions traveled along the Silk Road routes in an eastward direction despite the general
westward movement of technology.
 From the Han era onward, Buddhism had a significant impact on China owing to the
introduction of Central Asian-style Buddhism. The advent of Western religions altered
civilization as a result.
 THE DECLINE OF THE SILK ROAD

 Rise in trade through the seas- The Silk Road declined in the 15th century
with the rise of sea trade routes.
 Discovery of new sea routes- The discovery of new sea routes to Asia
made it easier and cheaper to transport goods, and the Silk Road lost its
importance as a trade network.
 Political impact- political uncertainties in different regions made it really
difficult to trade on the silk route
 However, its impact on global trade and culture remains significant to this day
 DIFFICULTIES FACED

 Slow and tedious-travel was on horses, mules, donkeys, and camels

 2.5-4 miles per hour Trip could take up to 6 months
 Starvation and thirst were dangerous
 Difficult terrain
 Difficult climates (sandstorms, mountain passes, vast grasslands)
 Threats from wild animals- snakes, wolves
 Due to the Precious goods there was the chances of theft, Hence
Protection was provided by the Mongols
 IMPACT OF SILK ROUTE

 Political and social  environmental

 increased trade and transportationalong

 The Silk Road had a political and
the Silk Road led todeforestation, soil
social impact on the regions it erosion, anddesertification.
crossed.
 However, it alsocontributed to the
 It facilitated the formation of development ofsustainable agricultural
alliances and the spread of political practices and the conservation of
ideas and institutions. natural resources.
 It also contributed to the
development of a cosmopolitan
culture and the rise of new social
classes suchas the merchant class.
REVIVAL OF SILK ROAD

 In recent years, there has been a

renewed interest in the Silk Road.
 China's Belt and Road Initiative aims
to revive the ancient trade network
and connect Asia, Europe, and Africa
through infrastructure projects such
as railways and ports.
 The revival of the Silk Road has the
potential to transformglobal trade
and business once again.
 LEGACY OF SILK ROUTE

 The Silk Road left a lasting legacy on global trade,

culture, and history.
 It facilitated the exchange of goods, ideas, and
culture between different civilizations, and paved the
way for the modern lobal trade system.
 The Silk Road also sparked innovation and
entrepreneurship, and contributed to the
development of Sustainable practices and the
conservation of natural resources.
 CONCLUSION

 The Silk Road was a remarkable achievement in human history. It

connected people and cultures across vast distances and contributed to
the development of global trade and commerce.

 The Silk Road left a lasting legacy that can still be felt today. Its impact
on the world is a testament to the power of human ingenuity and the
importance of cross-cultural exchange.
THANK YOU