The Global Tapestry (1200-1450) Glossary

Islamic state led by a caliph, successor to the Prophet Muhammad.

Chinese merit-based system selecting officials through competitive exams.

Territories united by Islamic faith, law, and cultural practices.

Decentralized system of mutual obligations between land-granting lords and service-providing vassals.

Land granted by a lord to a vassal in exchange for service.

Annual Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca, one of the Five Pillars.

Political entity ruled by a khan, especially Mongol successor states.

Inca mandatory labor system for state projects.

Period of peace across the Mongol Empire facilitating Silk Road trade.

Inca record-keeping device of knotted strings.

Peasants bound to the land, owing labor to their lord.

Overland trade routes connecting East Asia to the Mediterranean.

State ruled by a sultan in Islamic tradition.

Trade routes crossing the Sahara connecting West and North Africa.

Subordinate states paying tribute to a dominant power for autonomy.