¶ … Asia Was the World by Stewart Gordon
A Discussion of a Period in which Asia Thrived
For roughly a millennium, Asia represented on of the most advanced societies in the world at a time in which the West was undergoing a period which was later referred to as the "Dark Ages." China, by contrast, was a cultural and economic powerhouse in which religion, commerce, and intellectual capacities flourished. This contrast would have been readily apparent and enthralling to any individuals who visited the East from the West. Many people made the trip to the West to engage in trade and many of the merchant travelers kept a journal of their experiences visiting this culture. Stewart Gordon bases his work on the actual accounts of merchant travelers and people who lived and worked in the region. These personal accounts provide unique insights into the period in which "Asia was the World" as it was the center of human progress at the time. This analysis will discuss some of the insights Gordon provides and the historical lessons that these can offer.
Background on Asia's Place in the World
It is common for people in the West to assume that their civilization was at the forefront, or at least in the ballpark, of the development of advanced societies. Given the fact that the Western countries are currently among the most advanced societies relative to factors such as economic and technological development, it is easy to assume that there was a linear development throughout history that has led to the West's current achievements. However, as Stewart Gordon clearly illustrates in his work, this is far from the case. In fact, for a bulk of history, European societies were far less advanced compared to other civilizations throughout history and the current landscape of humanity's progress is a relatively new development by historical standards.
To tell the story of the Asian society and its diversity throughout the period in question, Gordon uses the stories of a variety of different people who traveled in...
Most of these stories could be considered something of a traveler's tale, a practice that continues today with the contemporary travel writers and bloggers. Most of the individual's stories that were included in the book were fairly average citizens with one exception -- a man named Babur was a conqueror of Kabul and Afghanistan. However, the rest of the individuals included merchants, doctors, scholars, monks, and regional leaders. While much of history focuses on those in society who have substantial powers such as kings or presidents
"By the twelfth century there existed -- for the first time -- a world largely without borders for educated men ... who felt at home everywhere within the vast region stretching from Spain to the port cities of China." -- Gordon
One of the individuals that Gordon tells a story about using the individual's own account is a man named Battuta who was a Muslim man that was making what was referred to as a hajj, which is an annual pilgrimage to Mecca that many adult Muslims make each year so long as they are physically able and can also provide for their families while they are away from home. At the time Asia and its influence was widespread and it connected from Japan, to the Middle East, to Northern Africa, and even all the way to Spain. Therefore, to understand the great amount of diversity that was included under the Asian rule you must also realize the vast geography that is included when referring to the "Asia of the World." "
For example, Battuta's journey started around Morocco while writing while he journeyed for over a year. During this period, news and information traveled slowly when compared to the contemporary period. Therefore, many of the locals who have not had the chance to travel extensively loved to hear stories about many of the places that others have been. The local populations would typically be rather hospitable to travelers and in exchange travelers would tell their stories and tales about the places that they…
