# data[].attributes.body
The city mainly profited from the trade of textiles and luxury goods. However later on, the also benefitted from the spice trade. In the Middle Ages, their spice trade was connected to the Indian Ocean Trade.

# data[].attributes.body
There were a large number of religious establishments which they call khanqahs. These khanqahs not only ensured that Islam was a predominant religion, but also deeply rooted its culture. Many holy shrines and religious places were also available to the people fairly nearby, and were visited quite often. This deeply rooted Islamic culture into Cairo, for future generations as well.

# data[].attributes.body
There were a large number of religious institutions in Cairo. One of them was the mosque of ‘Amr, which held Friday service from the road it runs through. There were also religious khanqahs, or covenants, in which noble men from separate buildings would vie with one another.

# data[].attributes.body
Cairo was connected by a chain of bazaars all the way from Alexandria. Merchants sold ornaments and silken fabrics, which lasted them for days in such bazaars. They also traveled upstream by boat to sell goods and make purchases. Water carriers, mule and donkey owners, and thirty six thousand boats were reported to have been present by Ibn Battuta.

# data[].attributes.location_name
Palembang, Palembang City, South Sumatra, Indonesia

# data[].attributes.headline
Palembang, Palembang City, South Sumatra, Indonesia

# data[].attributes.subject
Palembang, Palembang City, South Sumatra, Indonesia

# data[].attributes.body
"When this man died, his
position did not descend to his son; it was his daughter Shi Er-jie who became ruler, and in every case rewards, punishments, degradations, and promotions all depended on her decision" (Document D: Ma Huan’s account of Palembang). This shows that the society was egaliatrian, which was a major aspect of Islam and Buddhism. During this time, this must have been during the reign of Islam in Palembang. Islam allowed more freedom of women than other religions such as Christianity and Judaism.

# data[].attributes.body
Calicut had a major Hindu population. Hinduism influenced continued on into the modern ages, where it is still practiced. The culture is deeply rooted from Hinduism, and the architecture is based heavily off of Hindu architecture, as well as an abundance of sculptures of gods.

# data[].attributes.body
Calicut was a major trade city for the Indian Ocean trade. Travelers used the monsoon winds to navigate and exchange spices. Calicut was a major distributer of spices, Indian products, and Chinese products.

# data[].attributes.body
The city of Alexandria had wonderful architecture and buildings. It is home to the famous lighthouse of Alexandria, a “wonder of the ancient world”.

# data[].attributes.location_name
Palembang, Palembang City, South Sumatra, Indonesia

# data[].attributes.headline
Palembang, Palembang City, South Sumatra, Indonesia

# data[].attributes.subject
Palembang, Palembang City, South Sumatra, Indonesia

# data[].attributes.body
The main commodities traded here included ivory, tin, nutmeg, and other similarly strong spices. There were also medicinal goods that were distributed here. This attracted a main interest from China.

# data[].attributes.body
The city of Tunis was known for there gunpowder and gold trade. It also served as a point of trade with Europe.

# data[].attributes.body
The city of Tunis had very many cultural festivals. People would dress in rich attire. The sultan along with his relatives would ride on horseback.

# data[].attributes.location_name
Palembang, Palembang City, South Sumatra, Indonesia

# data[].attributes.headline
Palembang, Palembang City, South Sumatra, Indonesia

# data[].attributes.subject
Palembang, Palembang City, South Sumatra, Indonesia

# data[].attributes.body
Palembang was the capital of the Buddhist Srivijaya Empire, and it served as a major port city. It later converted to a large Islam population, after the fall of Mahajapit. It’s culture is richly influenced by Islam and Buddhism, as seen in its architecture. Many mosques decorate the area, as well as statues of Buddha.

# data[].attributes.body
A number of architecture in Ceylon was influenced by Buddhism, which had already spread through the influence of the Silk Road and Indian Ocean trade. These structures were also shaped by architecture originating from India, China, and Europe. Buddhism plays a major role in the cultural and artistic lifestyle of the Ceylon people.

# data[].attributes.body
The commodities traded at Ceylon were spices, perfumes, silks, ivory, and pearls. These luxury good were shipped across the world through the Indian Ocean Trade. These consumption of luxury goods were mainly by the Romans.

# data[].attributes.body
The city was believed to be the birthplace of Ancient Chinese civilization. It is rooted deeply with a major Han Chinese ethnic group, but there is also a majority of Hui people. It’s roots provide a very rich cultural connotations.

# data[].attributes.body
Xi’an was the beginning point of the Silk Road. There were many commodities traded there, such as innovations like compasses and silks. The Silk Road was a primary income bringer, especially since it was at the beginning of it.

# data[].attributes.headline
Suzhou, Jiangsu, China (Marco Polo source)

# data[].attributes.subject
Suzhou, Jiangsu, China (Marco Polo source)

# data[].attributes.body
Marco Polo emphasizes how the city of Suju (modern day Suzhou, China) was rich in silk and gold as well as the innovation of paper money. This paints the picture of Suju being an advanced city which explains its significance in the silk road trade. Marco Polo also mentions the abundance of skilled craftsmen which could translate to prosperity for the area thanks to the abundance of trading high quality goods. Suju’s plentiful trade contributed to it’s riches which in turn developed society there even more.

# data[].attributes.headline
Hangzhou, China (The great city of Kinsay)

# data[].attributes.subject
Hangzhou, China (The great city of Kinsay)

# data[].attributes.body
Porcelain, silk, and tea were among many commodities traded in the Great City of Kinsay. Porcelain, having originated from China, had great significance in the trade.

# data[].attributes.body
Suzhou is rich in architecture, and it was a center for scholars and merchants alike, who spread culture as well as the architecture that makes up Suzhou today. It is rich in pagodas, gardens, and canals. Pagodas originated from India, and were eventually diffused into the Suzhou culture.

# data[].attributes.body
Suju, now known as Suzhou, was known for its silk. It possessed great quantities during the Era of the Silk Road. The silk was a main source of profit, since the people lived by manufacture and trade.

# data[].attributes.headline
Hangzhou, China (The great city of Kinsay)

# data[].attributes.subject
Hangzhou, China (The great city of Kinsay)

# data[].attributes.body
The city of Hangzhou was an artistic and religious center of trade. Buddhism was very prevalent, in fact, the Buddhist monk Huili established the Lingyin temple.