Southernization Essay

734 Words3 Pages
Southernization is a process that occurred in southern Asia. The process was a type of cultural diffusion on a very large scale. Each empire in southern Asia ( India, Malaysia, China, Arabia, Swahili Coastline, Indonesia) had special characteristics that were then diffused to all of southern Asia. The contributions of these empires were diffused through trade over water and on land. Religion was also spread through southernization by traders and missionaries. India contributed many things to southernization. India discovered the concept of zero and set a 10 based system of numbers. Because of this use of zero they were able to complete advanced math systems and new concepts. India also helped developed the complex system of trade. Because India was located in between two essential trade ports, it became vital to storage of many valuable goods. Traders would leave their goods in India and other traders from other parts of southern Asia would collect them. Which is part of the reason that India was home to many warehouses. India itself traded sugar and cotton. Both of which were staples for not only them but all of Southern Asia. Malay contributed many important things to southernization. The latten sail was introduced by the Malay. This sail was square in shape and mounted so that they were able to pivot, which made seamen able to tack against the wind. The latten sail later on became the inspiration for the triangular sail which was more efficient and faster. Malay also contributed many sail techniques that improved water trade and naval militaries. Arabia had numerous contributions to southernization. They began the cultivation of sugar. Which became a staple food as well as clarified butter known as "ghee". The Arabic people also began the crystallization of sugar. This made the shipment and trade
Open Document