Xinru Liu focuses on early Indian and world history. She holds positions as an associate professor at The College of New Jersey and a full professor at the Institute of World History, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. Her scholarship delves into the historical and cultural exchanges across diverse civilizations. She investigates the diffusion and transformation of ideas, technologies, and artistic expressions through the ages.
This book offers an engaging exploration of the societal context during the time of the Buddha, blending scholarly research with imaginative storytelling. It delves into the cultural, political, and spiritual dynamics of the era, providing readers with a vivid understanding of the historical backdrop that influenced Buddhist teachings and practices. The narrative is designed to be both informative and accessible, appealing to those interested in history, religion, and philosophy.
The ancient trade routes that made up the Silk Road were some of the great conduits of cultural and material exchange in world history. In this intriguing book, Xinru Liu reveals both why and how this long-distance trade in luxury goods emerged in the late third century BCE, following its story through to the Mongol conquest.
Xinru Liu studies the silk trade in Eurasia between the seventh and twelfth centuries to explore how religious ideas affected economic behavior. Long-distance silk trade was established for centuries in ancient Eurasia, well before the state in Tang China and the Byzantine Empire set up statesilk industries and clothing codes to regulate the trade and consumption of silk textiles. Silk textiles were invested with symbolic meaning and their use restricted to bureaucratic and religious hierarchies in both regions.
For more than 1500 years, across more than 4000 miles, the Silk Roads connected East and West. Liu's thoughtful introduction considers the many ways the peoples along the Silk Roads interacted and helps students understand the implications for economies and societies, as well as political and religious institutions, over space and time.