Explain any three characteristics of the Silk Routes. OR Enumerate the importance of Silk Routes.
Answers:
(i) The silk routes are a good example of vibrant pre-modern trade and cultural links between distant parts of the world.
(ii) They were spread over land and sea knitting together vast regions of Asia and linking with Europe and Africa.
(iii) They existed since before the Christian Era and thrived almost till the 15th century.
(iv) Chinese pottery, textiles and spices from India travelled to Europe.
(v) In return, precious metals, gold and silver flowed from Europe to Asia.
(vi) Buddhism, Christian missionaries, Muslim preachers also travelled through this route to Asia.