The Great Silk Road

The Significance of the Great Silk Road. In the historical fate of the Kyrgyz and their state formations, especially in the VI—XII centuries, the Great Silk Road played a significant role.

Until the 2nd century BC, the two greatest civilizations — East and West — lived in isolation from each other, as high mountain ranges of the Tian Shan and Pamir-Alai, waterless steppes, and deserts stood in their way.

In the 2nd century BC, the Chinese traveler Zhang Qian managed to overcome these obstacles, crossing the Alai Mountains, the Fergana Valley, and making the first journey to western countries. The route of his journey later became the basis for the opening of the Great Silk Road. It got its name due to the silk, which was the main commodity of Chinese merchants: western countries did not know how it was made, and therefore it was valued there as highly as gold. The total length of this longest trade route was about 7,000 kilometers, and it took merchants three years to traverse it on horses and camels.

Since ancient times, three branches of the Great Silk Road crossed the territory of Kyrgyzstan.

The first branch began in Eastern Turkestan. Merchants traveled along the banks of the Kok-Suu River, crossed the Irkeshtam Pass, and reached the Alai Mountains. From there, the route along the Kyzyl-Suu River led to the city of Termez, then crossed the Amu Darya, and from the city of Merv went to Iran, towards the Mediterranean Sea.

The second branch started in Merv. From there, through Bukhara, Samarkand, and Khojent, merchants reached the Fergana Valley. They then moved through the cities of Osh, Uzgen, along the Yassy River, crossed the valleys of Arpa and At-Bashi, and headed into Eastern Turkestan.

The third branch led from Samarkand to Tashkent, and from there through numerous cities into the Chui Valley. In the flourishing cities of the Chui Valley, caravans rested, and after passing the difficult Boom Gorge, they reached Lake Issyk-Kul, where one of the major cities, Barskhan, was located on the southern shore. From there, caravans continued through the passes of Juu-Ku and Bedel into China.



For about fifteen centuries, these roads connected the East and the West. However, the movement of trade caravans gained particular momentum in the VIII—XII centuries. This period is characterized by the flourishing of economic and cultural development of the states that existed on the territory of Kyrgyzstan at that time.

Along the routes where merchants led their caravans with goods, people settled, cities emerged, caravanserais were built for the rest of the caravans, and fortifications and castles were erected. Alongside traditional nomadic pastoralism, a new type of economy — settled agriculture — began to develop. The growth in the number of cities was accompanied by the emergence of social groups in society, such as craftsmen and merchants (traders).

Cities, settlements, and caravanserais were located along the roads at the foot of mountains or at the entrance to gorges. A huge flow of various goods was delivered along the Great Silk Road from Eastern countries to Central Asia. Here, one could buy silk and other fabrics, iron products, dishes, and gold, silver, and other jewelry. From Central Asia, Fergana horses were driven to other countries, and particularly valuable goods were exported: furs of wild animals, grape wines, pomegranates, and nuts. Slaves were also sold, who became captives taken by nomads during raids on other tribes.

The Great Silk Road not only stimulated the development of trade but also facilitated the active exchange of spiritual values over the centuries. Representatives of various peoples and countries became acquainted with each other's lives and occupations, customs and traditions, and cultures.

Yet, many mysteries still surround this great phenomenon of history — the Great Silk Road.