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FOREIGN TRADE DURING THE REIGN OF SHAHRUKH MIRZA
Muazzamkhon Makhmudova
Senior Lecturer of the Department of World History
of Fergana State University, PhD
maxmudovamuazzam1982@gmail.com
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.15754284
Annotatsiya:
Ushbu maqolada temuriy hukmdorlar Shohrux Mirzo va
Mirzo Ulug‘bek hukmronligi davrida tashqi savdo va diplomatik aloqalarning
yuksak darajada rivojlaganligi yoritiladi.
Tayanch so‘zlar:
Shohrux Mirzo, Mirzo Ulug‘bek, Buyuk Ipak Yo‘li, savdo
aloqalari, diplomatik aloqalar.
Аннотация:
В этой статье освещается высокий уровень развития
внешней торговли и дипломатических отношений во время правления
тимуридских правителей Шахруха Мирзы и Мирзы Улугбека.
Ключевые слова:
Шахрух Мирзо, Мирзо Улугбек, Великий шелковый
путь, торговые отношения, дипломатические отношения.
Annotation:
This article illuminates the high level of development in
foreign trade and diplomatic relations during the reign of Timurid rulers
Shahrukh Mirzo and Mirzo Ulugbek.
Key words:
Shahrukh Mirza, Mirzo Ulugbek, the Great Silk Road, trade
relations, diplomatic relations.
Central Asia has long served as a crucial geographical region connecting
East and West. During the Timurid era, international trade routes expanded and
were strengthened. In this period, the importance of the Great Silk Road
remained very high. Through these trade routes, products such as leather, silk,
porcelain, tea, spices, precious stones, rubies, and diamonds were brought to the
markets of Central Asia.
During the reign of Shahrukh Mirzo (1409-1447), the process of economic
development intensified further. Particularly in cities, craftsmanship and trade
sectors developed rapidly. In cities such as Herat, Merv, Balkh, and Bukhara,
markets were expanded, and specialized trading stalls were established. In the
markets of Herat, individual products - rare items, works of art, and high-quality
handicrafts - were offered for sale, indicating the beginning of a new stage in the
city's economic life[1].
Shahrukh Mirza recognized trade as one of the main factors in the
prosperity and well-being of society. During his tenure, great importance was
attached to road construction, the development of trade networks, and security
issues. It was during this period that the Timurid state established active
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political and economic relations with the countries of the Far and Near East -
China, India, Iran, Russia, the Volga region, Siberia, and European countries -
Spain, France, and England. This indicates the active participation of the Timurid
state in the international trade arena and the implementation of an open market
policy[2].
Cheap yarn, silk, cotton products, as well as finished fabrics, paper, dried
fruits, and rice were exported from Herat to Russia, Tatarstan, and Siberia.
Spanish Ambassador Rui Gonzalez de Clavijo, in his diaries, emphasized the
important role of Samarkand in foreign trade. According to it, leather goods,
including dyed gloves, were imported from Russia and Tatarstan, while fine
royal fabrics, satins, musk, rubies, diamonds, and other precious stones, pearls,
and medicinal plants were imported from China[3].
Also, the most delicate fragrant spices - nutmeg, cinnamon, mint, natural
dyes, and other unique products - were brought to Herat from India. Such
extensive trade relations during the Timurid era made Central Asia one of the
economic and cultural centers of its time.
The embassies established by the Timurids played a crucial role in
expanding trade with foreign states. Shahrukh Mirza and his son Mirza Ulugbek
regularly exchanged ambassadors between their countries and China. Naturally,
China had a vested interest in trading with the Timurids. Horses were primarily
imported to China from Transoxiana and Khorasan. Merchants and ambassadors
from Samarkand would journey to China (Beijing) once every two or three years,
while Chinese merchants made regular visits to Samarkand and Herat.
In 1418, the ambassadors of Shahrukh Mirza and Ardashir were in China.
The following year, Li Di and Chong-Ku came from China as ambassadors to
Samarkand and Herat. They sent letters and valuable gifts to Shahrukh Mirza
and Mirza Ulugbek as a symbol of strengthening friendly relations[4].
Shahrukh Mirza, considering the long-term prospects of the country, paid
special attention to strengthening diplomatic relations with the rulers of China
and India. Ambassadors of these states were received as official guests in
Samarkand and Herat. In turn, representatives of Shahrukh, including the
famous artist and diplomat Ghiyasuddin Naqqash, were sent to China, and
ambassadors led by Abdurazak Samarkandi were sent to India. These diplomatic
visits served to strengthen bilateral political and trade ties[5].
There were two major caravan routes from Transoxiana to China. The first
route passed through the cities of Tashkent, Sayram, Semirechye, Turfan
(Eastern Turkestan) and Kumul, while the second passed through the cities of
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Khujand, Kokand, Margilan, Andijan, Osh, and the Alay Valley, passing through
the cities of Kashgar, Khotan, and Yarkand in the Fergana Valley. The safety and
stability of these trade routes were kept under special control by Shahrukh
Mirza and his descendant Mirza Ulugh Beg[6]. At the beginning of the 15th
century, neighborly relations with Tibet and India also strengthened, which was
important for regional security and economic cooperation.
According to Abdurrazzaq Samarkandi, a merchant repeatedly took fabrics
brought from China to Egypt and Anatolia, and the products he received from
there were taken back to China. During the reign of Shahrukh Mirza, the distance
between Egypt and China seemed to have shortened, indicating the safe and
active operation of trade routes[7].
Moreover, caravans of 15-20 thousand camels arrived in Herat annually,
bringing with them silk, sugar, and spices. Caravans also came from places such
as Fergana, Turkestan, Samarkand, Bukhara, Balkh, Hissar, and Badakhshan, and
Khorasan, Iraq, Rum, and Chinese goods could be found here[8].
In conclusion, it can be said that Shahrukh Mirza, as the successor of Amir
Timur, paid special attention to trade and economics. He occupies an important
place in history not only as a great commander and statesman, but also as a
patron of culture and science. The activities of Shahrukh demonstrate that
justice, science, and culture are powerful tools. Shahrukh Mirza also continued
the policy of protecting merchants.
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XVI – первой половине XIX вв. Том 1. – Ташкент, 1966. – С. 63.
3.
Muhammadjonov A. Тemur va temuriylar saltanati. Тarixiy ocherk. –
Тошкент, 1996. – B. 73.
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Boʻriyev O. Temuriylar davri yozma manbalarida Markaziy Osiyo tarixiy
geografiyasi. – Тошкент: Mumtoz soʻz, 2017. – B. 221.
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