Han China and Ming China Comparative Essay
Two of the great civilizations, Han China (206 BCE - 220 CE) and Mauryan/Gupta India (315 BCE - 550 CE) were the economic giants of their time. The economic production of both dynasties originally began with extensive agriculture and eventually developed extensive trade systems. However, Mauryan/ Gupta India emphasized trade and its economic importance while China, due to religious conflictions, allowed trade to occur, but never permitted it to become a main focus of their economy.
Han China and Mauryan/ Gupta India flourished as agricultural civilizations. Both dynasties created extensive irrigation systems for their fields. This allowed for maximum production, as the farmers did not have to rely on rains to water their fields. In addition to irrigation systems, developments like the plow, collars for work animals, and other iron tools greatly increased production. These advancements allowed the economies of both Han China and Mauryan/ Gupta India to grow in size and wealth. For this reason, agriculture was the base of both economies throughout the their existence.
While agriculture remained the core of both dynasties' economy, trade became increasingly important as manufacturing began to develop. In India, textiles woven from cotton, cashmere, and calico, and steel, the best seen at the time, were manufactured and traded with many other civilizations. By trading with other civilizations, India and China were able to adopt new ideas and expand upon them, giving them even more items to trade. India was also well known for their spices, which were sought after by far away civilizations even during the Mauryan/ Gupta Empire. These spices were traded for a high price, making the merchants who sold them very prosperous. In China, luxury items such as jewelry, furniture, and silk were the main exports. These luxury items were mainly traded and sold to the upper class citizens. For this reason, the price of such items were high, as the wealthy could afford to
Han China and Mauryan/ Gupta India flourished as agricultural civilizations. Both dynasties created extensive irrigation systems for their fields. This allowed for maximum production, as the farmers did not have to rely on rains to water their fields. In addition to irrigation systems, developments like the plow, collars for work animals, and other iron tools greatly increased production. These advancements allowed the economies of both Han China and Mauryan/ Gupta India to grow in size and wealth. For this reason, agriculture was the base of both economies throughout the their existence.
While agriculture remained the core of both dynasties' economy, trade became increasingly important as manufacturing began to develop. In India, textiles woven from cotton, cashmere, and calico, and steel, the best seen at the time, were manufactured and traded with many other civilizations. By trading with other civilizations, India and China were able to adopt new ideas and expand upon them, giving them even more items to trade. India was also well known for their spices, which were sought after by far away civilizations even during the Mauryan/ Gupta Empire. These spices were traded for a high price, making the merchants who sold them very prosperous. In China, luxury items such as jewelry, furniture, and silk were the main exports. These luxury items were mainly traded and sold to the upper class citizens. For this reason, the price of such items were high, as the wealthy could afford to