Great Silk Road

The role of Uzbek cities on the Silk trade and economic routes of that time

The Great Silk Road was of great significance for its era. Starting from the Chinese Xian and passing through East Turkestan, Central Asia, Iran, Mesopotamia to the Mediterranean Sea, it had a length of nearly 12 thousand kilometers. And the Uzbek region was located in its very center.

At that time, in Central Asia, prototypes of the current logistics centers — caravanserais — were being formed. Many merchants did not go all the way of the Silk Route from China to Europe, which would have taken them many months, but they were engaged in transit supplies, bartering goods from partners. Often merchants bought products, for example, in Samarkand, Termez, which, in particular, is evidence of traces of imported goods found during excavations. Ancient Chinese “wu shu” coins, as well as the minted coins of the Tang dynasty, were found in Fergana and surrounding areas from the second century BC.

Ancient cities and regions located on the territory of contemporary Uzbekistan turned into not only centers of transit trade, but also developed production of that time. For example, Chach - the current metropolitan area - in the early Middle Ages became the largest ore-metallurgical region of Central Asia, where precious and non-ferrous metals, iron ore and gems were mined. According to contemporaries, Chach supplied to other lands high-quality woolen fabrics, beautifully tanned leather, famous fighting bows and arrows, saddles that were in great demand among the soldiers of the steppes and cities, quivers, rugs, blankets, furs and skins, fur clothes, cotton, cocoons. silkworm, flaxseed, iron scissors and needles, grain products, glazed ceramic dishes.

In the Middle Ages, cities were actively developing; trade relations were ascertained with the countries of the West, including Southern and Eastern Europe, and in the east - with China. For example, a Samanid dirham treasure found near modern Chinaz can be an evidence of the great trade. The significant flourishing of the Great Silk Road also fell on the board of Amir Temur, when safety was ensured on all roads, and scientists and architects from all over the world gathered in the cities of his vast state. Sakhibkiran created favorable conditions for the rapid development of handicraft business. The role of our region not only as a transshipment point in trans regional trade, but also as a manufacturer of high-quality goods increased significantly.

In the judgment of historians, the convenient geographical position contributed to the fact that Central Asia and Uzbekistan, in particular, became the epicenter of the most important ethnic processes - migration of peoples, active interaction of cultures. Thanks to the Great Silk Road, vigorous activity was conducted: large-scale trade operations were carried out, diplomatic treaties and alliances were concluded. The peoples of Central Asia have an outstanding significance in the distribution of letters and world religions, as well as many cultural and technical achievements.

The combination of factors makes it possible to say that the Great Silk Road is not just a caravan route, but a multifunctional phenomenon unique in the history of Eurasia, the degree of influence of which on many aspects of its existence was enormous.