Volume 02 Issue 12-2022
56
American Journal Of Social Sciences And Humanity Research
(ISSN
–
2771-2141)
VOLUME
02
I
SSUE
12
Pages:
56
-61
SJIF
I
MPACT
FACTOR
(2021:
5.
993
)
(2022:
6.
015
)
OCLC
–
1121105677
METADATA
IF
–
5.968
Publisher:
Oscar Publishing Services
Servi
ABSTRACT
This article describes the development of the Great Silk Road in Central Asia from ancient times, the fact that the
Kushan Kingdom was the main link of the trade route, the Surkhan oasis in the Middle Ages, north and northwest of
Termiz, from Sogd to India through the Iron Gate, Sogd, -Saroykamar- Kunduz to Kashmir, from the west to Balkh,
Badakhshan, Hisori Shodmon-Tianshan are located at the intersection of the roads to East Turkestan and China, trade
relations, the flourishing of crafts and the construction of a river port in Termiz in the 10th century, the protection of
the Great Silk Road during the reign of Amir Temur, and the important role of Termiz in the trade route are covered.
KEYWORDS
Great Silk Road, Trade, Craft, Empire, Product, Trade, Merchant, State, Population, Relations.
INTRODUCTION
Research Article
TRADE RELATIONS OF THE SURKHAN OASIS ON THE GREAT SILK ROAD
IN THE MIDDLE AGES AND THE CRAFTS THAT FLOURISHED THERE
Submission Date:
December 05, 2022,
Accepted Date:
December 13, 2022,
Published Date:
December 16, 2022
Crossref doi:
https://doi.org/10.37547/ajsshr/Volume02Issue12-09
Dr. Sanabar N. Djuraeva
Doctor Of History Senior Researcher Of The Tashkent Museum, State Museum Of History Of Uzbekistan Under
The Academy Of Sciences Of Uzbekistan
Dr. Durbek A. Rakhimdjanov
Doctor Of History, Associate Professor Of The International Islamic Academy Of Uzbekistan, ICESCO
Department Of Islamic Studies And Islamic Civilization, Uzbekistan
Journal
Website:
https://theusajournals.
com/index.php/ajsshr
Copyright:
Original
content from this work
may be used under the
terms of the creative
commons
attributes
4.0 licence.
Volume 02 Issue 12-2022
57
American Journal Of Social Sciences And Humanity Research
(ISSN
–
2771-2141)
VOLUME
02
I
SSUE
12
Pages:
56
-61
SJIF
I
MPACT
FACTOR
(2021:
5.
993
)
(2022:
6.
015
)
OCLC
–
1121105677
METADATA
IF
–
5.968
Publisher:
Oscar Publishing Services
Servi
It is known from history that before the formation of
the Great Silk Road, trade caravan routes were
developed during the Greco-Bactrian state (lll-ll-
century BC). The countries of Sogd and Bactria began
to trade with Iran, India, and China. At that time, he
went to China through Vakhsh, Karategin and Aloy
valleys and Kashkar. The roads to the west were in two
directions: one went to Okbut (Hamadon) and Syria via
the caravan route, and the other, according to Strabo,
brought Indian products through the Amudarya.
During this period, the art of crafts in the Greco-
Bactrian state developed greatly. In particular, gold
and silver jewelry, various dishes used in everyday life,
equestrian equipment, statues of deities and wall
paintings have come down to us. Many of these
products were found in towns and villages located
around ancient caravan routes. In the written sources
of that time, including “Milinda
-
Pankha”, it is said
that
crafts were developed in cities belonging to the Greco-
Bactrian kingdom. There are also reports of a large
number of vendors selling various products among the
local population [1:185].
THE MAIN FINDINGS AND RESULTS
In the Middle Ages, Termiz was located at the
intersection of the roads from the north (Europe) and
the northwest - from Sogd through the Iron Gate to
India, from Sogd - Saraykamar - Kunduz to Kashmir,
from the west through Balkh, Badakhshan, Hisori
Shodmon-Tianshan to East Turkestan and China.
Through the river from Termez there is a connection
with Khorezm, Panj. According to research, the
formation of the Great Silk Road dates back to 4
thousand years ago. Stretching from the British Isles in
the west to the shores of the Pacific Ocean in the east:
Rome in the Mediterranean, Parthia in the Middle East
(with its capital in the ancient city of Nessa), the Han
Empire in China, and the Kushan state, which united
present-day India, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Central
Asia, were connected by one road in human history.
The Silk Road stretched from the capital of the Han
Empire in China through the territory of the Kushan
and Parthian states to the northern shores of the
Mediterranean Sea. During these times, a permanent
sea route was also opened from the gulfs of Roman
Egypt to the sea gates of the Kushan state in Western
India [2:14-15]. During this period, the Kushan state
developed very detailed commodity-money relations.
The Roman historian Plenaeus stated that the Roman
Empire received a lot of products from the Kushan
state, including iron products. Bactrians and Sogdians
were the most skilled traders in the world. The kings of
these countries sent ambassadors to each other and
exchanged gifts, which led to the development of
trade between them, and the exchange of Western
and Eastern cultures. During this period, in the Surkhan
oasis located on the ancient Great Silk Road, there
were primitive religions, Zoroastrianism, Buddhism,
Christianity, spirituality, etc before the introduction of
Volume 02 Issue 12-2022
58
American Journal Of Social Sciences And Humanity Research
(ISSN
–
2771-2141)
VOLUME
02
I
SSUE
12
Pages:
56
-61
SJIF
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(2021:
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993
)
(2022:
6.
015
)
OCLC
–
1121105677
METADATA
IF
–
5.968
Publisher:
Oscar Publishing Services
Servi
Islam. Archaeological monuments including ancient
temples such as Sopollitepa Jarqo'ton, Ayritom,
Termiz,
Dalvarzintepa,
Kholchayon,
Fayoztepa,
Karatepa were formed in these areas in the 1st-15th
centuries BC and AD [3:8,22]. These regions were
ancient cultural centers with names such as Zarautsoy,
Sopollitepa, Jarqo’ton, Termiz, Zang, where early
agriculture and handicrafts developed due to their
convenient geographical location.
The research conducted in Fayoztepa and Karatepa
temples in Old Termiz, which belongs to the 1st century
AD, provides very valuable information about the
spread of Buddhism to Central Asia, the formation and
development of Bactrian Buddhist culture [4:18].
Pottery found in this period from Karatepa,
earthenware depicting a festival scene in honor of
Bacchanilia and Bacchus-Bochus, the gods of May and
luxury, found before Termiz, and Nero coins found in
Hayrabodtepa (northwest of the Zartepa monument in
Angor, 30 kilometers north-west of Termiz), northern
The Kushans, who took over Bactria (Termiz),
Afghanistan, Western Pakistan and Northern India,
indicate that they had extensive contacts with the
Roman Empire [5:15].
During the Hephthalite period (Vasr), Kushan period
structures were used as dahma. In Termiz, a family
cemetery from the Kushan period was found in a
monument called “Kurgan” [6:18]. In 567
-600, Termiz
was under the rule of Tutk. However, Termiz was ruled
by Termiz Shahs. No matter how the political situation
changes, Termiz remains the center of Buddhism [7:17].
In the 30s of the 4th century, the Chinese tourist Xuan
Tsing, who came to Termez, left information about the
monks of the Buddhist temples. According to him,
there were 10 Buddhist monasteries and about a
thousand monks in Termiz.
Scholars such as Hakim Termizi, Warraq Termizi, Yusuf
Hayat Termizi, Abu Isa Termizi, Abul Muzaffar Termizi,
Sayyid Burkhanuddin Husain Termizi, who were highly
respected in the Muslim world, flourished in the
Surkhan oasis in the 19th-19th centuries, and they made
a great contribution to the development of Islamic
sciences.
During the times of the Somanids (10th century), the
Karakhanids (10th-13th centuries), the Ghaznavids and
the Seljuks (11th-13th centuries), Chaganiyan and
Termiz, located on the Great Silk Road, developed their
own culture, spirituality, urban planning, architecture,
and trade relations. In the architectural style, the Forty
Maiden Castle in Old Termiz (10th century), Hakim
Termizi (10th-11th centuries), Sultan Sodot (11th-11th
centuries), Zul Kifl (10th century) located on the
Prophet's Island near Old Termiz, Termiz Shahlar
Palace (10th century) -Xll centuries), the mausoleums
of Abu Isa Termizi (X-Xl centuries) were built [8:150].
In the 10th century, trade relations developed in the
Surkhan oasis, and a large production of soap and
Volume 02 Issue 12-2022
59
American Journal Of Social Sciences And Humanity Research
(ISSN
–
2771-2141)
VOLUME
02
I
SSUE
12
Pages:
56
-61
SJIF
I
MPACT
FACTOR
(2021:
5.
993
)
(2022:
6.
015
)
OCLC
–
1121105677
METADATA
IF
–
5.968
Publisher:
Oscar Publishing Services
Servi
muattar (scented stone) and its export were widely
established in Termiz. The artisans of Termiz gained
fame in the eastern markets with their fish glue,
laundry alkali, and hand-woven fabrics. Even Byzantine
merchants took cotton from Termez. On the other
hand, products brought from other cities were traded
in the Termiz market [9:38].
It should be noted that in the 10th and 10th centuries,
Termiz became an administrative-trade and craft
center, a river port was built. Blacksmithing,
coppersmithing and glassmaking, especially pottery,
are widely developed in the city [10:103]. During the
Seljuk period, many carpets were made and sold to
Egypt, India, and China [11]. In Central Asia, hand-
weaving wool carpets with and without feathers was
developed, especially in Turkmenistan, Khorezm,
Surkhan oasis.
During his 35-year reign, Amir Temur restored not only
Samarkand and Turkestan, but also the cities of
subjugated countries. He built rabots, castles, bridges,
caravanserais, mosques and madrasahs in the cities.
The caravan roads were cleared of robbers, and the
safety of passengers was ensured. He restored the
caravan route connecting the east and the west. Ibn
Arabsha’s Silk Road brought to Samarkand from
different countries, especially minerals from Khurasan,
rubies from India and Sindh, diamonds, satin, lightning
stones, musk, other goods from China, gold and silver
from other countries. The amount of goods brought to
Samarkand from foreign countries was huge. During
his stay in this city, Claviho noted the arrival of a trade
caravan of 800 camels from the Chinese capital
Khanbalik [12:88].
There were two caravan routes from Transoxiana to
China at that time. The first road passed through
Tashkent, Sayram, Ettisuv and the cities of Turfon and
Kumul of Eastern Turkestan, and the second road
passed through the Fergana Valley - through the cities
of Khojand, Kokhan, Margilan, Andijan, Osh, along the
Oloy Valley and passed through the cities of Kashkar,
Khojand and Yorkand of Eastern Turkestan. During the
period of Amir Temur, trade with China, India, Iran,
Tatarstan, Farangistan, Spain and other countries
increased. Silk, silk fabrics, silk, porcelain, pearls, musk,
quality teas, elegant white fabrics, indigo dyes,
aromatic spices from India, pearls and pearls from Iran,
all kinds of furs, leather and wax from Russia and
Tatarstan are imported from China. In the markets of
Samarkand, Farangistan gazlams, movuts and
Cherkasy knives were popular. On the other hand, the
Central Asian cities exported to foreign countries such
products as low-priced yarn fabrics, wool, dukhoba, silk
gauze, paper, dry fruits, rice, cotton, kalava threads,
ceramics, copperware, knives [13:87]. With this, not
only Transoxiana, but also the east and the near east,
made a great contribution to the economic and cultural
development of European countries, bringing peoples
and countries closer to each other.
Volume 02 Issue 12-2022
60
American Journal Of Social Sciences And Humanity Research
(ISSN
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2771-2141)
VOLUME
02
I
SSUE
12
Pages:
56
-61
SJIF
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MPACT
FACTOR
(2021:
5.
993
)
(2022:
6.
015
)
OCLC
–
1121105677
METADATA
IF
–
5.968
Publisher:
Oscar Publishing Services
Servi
The Arab traveler Ibn Battuta's work entitled “Ibn
Battuta’s Journey” (XlVasr) has a special place among
written sources. He brought the life, lifestyle, culture,
trade relations, scholars, saints, shrines, waqf
properties, caravanserais and other interesting and
valuable information of the peoples of Central Asia.
Ibn Battuta in his book “Ibn Battuta and his journey to
Central A
sia” (XlV century) says that he was on the
banks of the old Termiz Jayhun, that after Genghis
destroyed it, a new city was built 2 miles from the river,
that he was welcomed in Termiz by the order of Naib
Alul Mulk Khudovandzada, he He mentioned that he
met with the Qazikalon of the city Qavomuddin, that
he traveled with the Qazi to India, that there were
connections between Termiz and India, that he moved
from Jayhun to Khurason, Balkh, that there were shiny
stones on the roofs of the mosques and madrasahs
there, and that these stones were brought from
Badakhshan [14:76-77].
АAccording to Hasanov in his “Traveling Scholars”,
governors of Khorasan Shahrukh and Boysunkur sent
500 ambassadors to China in December 1419. On the
way back, they separated into two caravans in Andijan
(Tian Shan) mountains (mountains between Kashgar
and Fergana). One went to Herat via Andijan -
Samarkand - Amudarya. The second caravan went
south to Herat via Badakhshan - Hisori Shodmon (a city
near Dushanbe)
–
Balkh [15:154].
Termiz was the trade center of Khatlon (Kolob and
Korntepa). In 1893, it is stated in the work of unknown
author, which was handed over to captain A.G.
Tumansky, an orientalist, by Gulpoygoni from Bukhara:
“The city market was always rich and crowded”.
Ambassadors of far and near countries, tourists,
dervishes, merchants could not avoid this city, they
were its guests [16].
CONCLUSION
In short, it can be said that since ancient times, Termiz
was built at the junction of trade routes of the west and
east, north and south, and is an old city that has
contributed to the development of world trade and
culture. Through its river port, the “Friendship Bridge”
built in 1982 on the Amudarya, Termiz is still a means of
trade between our country and Afghanistan.
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American Journal Of Social Sciences And Humanity Research
(ISSN
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2771-2141)
VOLUME
02
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SSUE
12
Pages:
56
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SJIF
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(2021:
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993
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6.
015
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OCLC
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1121105677
METADATA
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5.968
Publisher:
Oscar Publishing Services
Servi
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