Economic life of ancient Chinese civilization.
(i) Agriculture: Like India, agriculture was the basis of the economic life of the Chinese. The Chinese used to sow crops after a lot of worship, because they always feared floods and droughts, which caused heavy damage to agriculture. Main crops included millets, wheat, rice, tea, greens and vegetables. Soyabean cultivation was also popular. A type of plant was jute which was used to make cloth from the cords. Mulberry farming was prevalent, on the basis of which the silkworms were kept. Land was tilled by ploughs and efforts were made to control floods and improve the irrigation system. Removal of silt after flood and cleaning of canals were also the function of the government. As result of the government’s efforts, fertile land and the best system of irrigation, the Chinese farmers used to produce two or three crops in a year.
Chinese people also used to practise animal husbandry. Domesticated animals were cow, bull, buffalo, goat, sheep, dog, pig, deer etc.
(ii) Industry and Trade: The Chinese people were famous for spinning, weaving, making pottery and making sculptures, making weapons of ivory and metal, jewellery, idols and toys and silk fabric. First of all the credit for the invention of silk is given to China. The detection of earthquake also became a distinct art form of China. It was also a Chinese specialty to engage in social activities. The Chinese people called pearls as music stones because when they were properly laid and struck there generate a melodious music from it.
The Chinese people had another famous industry of making paper. The invention of paper was also done by China. They used to make paper from barks of trees, walnuts and silk made of small pieces of paper. Chinese people were also skilled in making mirrors. The bronze mirror is the highest form of polishing art. When China was in contact with the rest of the world, the trade of China was progressing. Chinese cities were the centers of trade. Business was done by both water and land. Crossing China’s wall, two main roads were constructed for trade from the western countries. The Chinese people had trade with East Islands, Lanka, India, Persia and Rome, Central Asia and Mongolia. The Chinese used to export iron items, silk, pottery and other handicrafts and used to import gold, silver, ivory, opium, yarn etc.
Initially, the business transaction was based on barter but later the coins were used.
