AD 600-1200

Much of Asia was affected by the development of an Islamic empire during this period. In 622 the Prophet Muhammad established a Muslim community at Medina. By 751, Islamic lands extended across a vast area from Spain to Central Asia.

South Asia was politically divided, with a succession of dynasties vying for control. In 711 Muhammad ibn al-Qāsim conquered Sind and in 1010 the Ghaznavids conquered lands in the north, bringing lasting cultural, religious and political change.

In China the Sui dynasty gave way to the Tang in 618 who expanded the Chinese empire and turned it into the richest and most powerful political unit in the world. By 906 however, China had once again broken into smaller kingdoms. Korea was unified by the kingdom of Silla in 668 and flourished into a strong and powerful state rivalling the splendour of the Tang. In 935 it fell to the Koryŏ who set up rule based on Buddhism.

Increased contact with mainland Asia had profound effects on the culture and administration of Japan. The introduction of Buddhism brought new forms of architecture, painting and sculpture, and the Chinese writing system and centralised system of bureaucracy were adopted. In Southeast Asia large states with expanding societies and economies developed such as Angkor (Cambodia), Pagan (Burma) and Champa (Vietnam).