Comparison of Economic Exchange
“Wealthy merchants bring in big cargoes, which they unload and unhesitatingly
send into the markets without thinking in the meantime of any security, or
checking the account, or keeping watch over the goods. ”
—Abdu Razzak, “Description of Calicut” (1442)
Learning Objectives
- L: Explain the similarities and differences among the various networks of exchange in the period from c. 1200 to c. 1450.
Calicut was known as the “City of Spices,” a market city where merchants
traded their goods for pepper and cinnamon from India and a variety of goods from other areas as well. In some ways, such as its ability to provide security and the diversity of people who patronized the markets, Calicut was like other big trading cities along the well-traveled trade routes. In other ways, such as the type of currency it used and how the polity, or governmental unit, made money on trade, it differed from trading cities elsewhere. The similarities and differences among trading cities were also reflected in the larger trading networks.
Sections
Similarities Among Networks of Exchange
Differences Among Networks of Exchange
Social Implications of Networks of Exchange
Reflect
REFLECT ON THE ESSENTIAL QUESTION
1. Comparison Prepare a graphic showing the similarities and differences between interregional trade in 1200 and interregional trade in 1450.
2. In one to three paragraphs, explain the similarities and differences among the various networks of exchange in the period from c. 1200 to c. 1450.
