eco tj6+.qxd - Economic Cooperation Organization

The Silk Road
The territory of Tajikistan from the
most ancient times
has laid on the
important historical
routes of the Silk
Road connecting
the East and the
West helping not
only to exchange
goods but also
ideas, cultures and
people. Very
famous objects
along the entire Silk
Road were the
weapons made by Soghd craftsmen.
Very popular were leather products
and jewelry, silk fabrics and colored
salts. Soghd exported amazing "golden
peaches", white and yellow cherries,
sheep and
graceful swift-footed
racers.
According to
ancient sources,
there were the following
sectors of
the Silk Road which
crossed Tajikistan.
Soghd route went
from Samarkand to
Kokand through
Penjikent and further
on the road
leading to Fergana
valley through Varz,
Ura-Tyube,
Khujand,
Konibodom and
Isfara. The other route sometimes
called "Karotegin" connected Termez
and Kashgar (China) through Hissar
and Dushanbe.
Khatlon route branched from
Karotegin to the south and led from
Dushanbe to Balkh (Afghanistan) up
to the southern Silk Road line. The
route called "Pamir" led from Balkh
(Afghanistan) to
Khorog and was further
split into other
routes.
Tajik cities on the
Silk Road are precious
pearls framed
by picturesque
landscapes. Among
them are Penjikent,
Ura-Tyube and
Khujand. More than
20 centuries ago
those cities were
famous for their crafts, culture and
well- developed trade.
The ancient roads were traveled
by numerous caravans, which
stopped in caravanserais and
exchanged the
brought goods in
Oriental markets.
In this connection
it is possible to find
the elements of the
most different legends,
rituals, and
religions in the culture
and crafts of
Tajikistan.
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