Zhang Qian And The Silk Road

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Source Analysis Paper History 1111 Mathew Myers “Descriptions of Western Regions” is a primary source written between 138B.C.E. and 125B.C.E, by Zhang Qian, giving descriptions of his encounters during his journey westward. Zhang Qian was a Chinese ambassador, who was sent westward to find allies for the Chinese Empire. They needed allies against the Xiongnu, who terrorized the Chinese. While on his journey, he was held captive for over ten years by the Xiongnu, and found out much information about them. Upon escaping, he continued his journey and reported back to the Han Emperor all the information that he found about the different countries. Before finishing his thirteen year journey, Zhang encountered a number of societies ranging from agriculturally advantaged to militaristic, some of which include Bactria, Ferghana, and Yue-Chi (Yuezhi). He used the information recorded about these places, for the benefit of the Chinese. Zhang’s travels and reports not only gave the Chinese the advantage of having a more knowledgeable and powerful dynasty against the Xiongnu, but it also paved the way for the beginnings of the Silk Road. The reason for Zhang Qian’s movement west to find allies was because of the Xiongnu’s threat to the Chinese. With the Xiongnu’s enemy, the Yue-Chi, out of the picture, the Xiongnu raided and stole from the Chinese Empire. Needing help fighting the Xiongnu, Zhang Qian was initially sent to make an alliance with the Yue-Chi (Yuezhi), where he ran into many different lands, people and customs, but upon reaching the Yue-Chi, they refused to form the alliance. The Yue-Chi people were happy with their peace, and rich and fertile land. As Zhang began his journey home, he encountered more of these places that the Chinese knew nothing about, and kept record of it all. This document contains Zhang Qian’s recordings of his findings and discoveries

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