History without borders the making of an asian w orld region 1000 1800 does just that it seeks to uncover the underlying unity to east and southeast asia the crossover elements in . History without borders the making of an asian world region 1000 1800. To cite this article greg bankoff 2015 history without borders the making of an asian world region 1000 1800 asian studies review 393 539 540 doi 101080 1035782320151054915. Astride the historical maritime silk routes linking india to china premodern east and southeast asia can be viewed as a global region in the making over a long period intense asian commerce in spices silks and ceramics placed the region in the forefront of global economic history prior to the age of imperialism alongside the correlated silver trade among japanese europeans muslims and . Astride the historical maritime silk routes linking india to china premodern east and southeast asia can be viewed as a global region in the making over a long period intense asian commerce in spices silks and ceramics placed the region at the forefront of global economic history prior to the age of imperialism alongside the correlated silver trade among japanese europeans muslims and