10. Medieval Japan

• Japan consists of four islands – Hokkaido, Honshu, Kyushu and Shikoku.
• The entire country was a single state till around 7th century AD.
• In the 8th century Edo, i.e. Kyoto became the capital and was seat of emperors of Japan for more than 1000 years. The real power was in the hands of aristocratic family.
• Shogun was one of the (usually) hereditary military dictators of Japan from 1192 to 1867. In this period, the shoguns, or their shikken regents (1203–1333), were the de facto rulers of Japan though they were nominally appointed by the emperor.

9. Medieval China

•    To prevent drain on the country’s wealth Sung ruler started the use of paper money.
•    The invention of gun powder happened in China in the 10th Century about 400 years before the knowledge reached the western world.
•    The Chinese made the iron chain suspension bridges as early as the 10 century.
•    The Chinese invented printing techniques in the 10th Century. The was as important as invention of paper.

8. Arab Civilization

•    In the 7th Century, Islam, a new religion arose in Arabia, this led to the establishment of big empire.
•    Muhammad, the prophet of Islam was born in Mecca in 571AD
•    At 40, Muhammad had ‘vision of truth’ and thus became the Prophet.
•    The vision of truth convinced him that Allah was only God.
•    He forbade the worship of idols and made many enemies. Ultimately he had leave Mecca and took refuse in Medina. This happened in 622 AD and years is termed as Hijira meaning migration and from it muslims date their era as Hijira Samvat.