Question

What do you mean by Silk Route? What was its significance?

Answer 1

The route through which the traders carried silk with them is known as silk Route. Silk was first invented in China and the methods of its making were kept a high secret for several years. But the traders ultimately spread the knowledge of silk far and wide.

Everyone got attracted to it because of its fine texture. Wearing silk became a fashion amongst rulers and rich people in Rome. In India too, the rulers tried is control the Silk Route. This was because they could benefit from taxes, tributes and gifts that were brought by traders ravelling along the route.

The Kushanas were the best known rulers who controlled the Silk Route. During their rule, a branch of the Silk Route extended from Central Asia down to the seaports at the mouth of the river Route extended from Central Asia down to the seaports at the mount of the river Indus, from where silk was shipped westwards to the Roman Empire.