The Surkhandarya region of Uzbekistan, with its center in Termez, has long been a vital hub on the Great Silk Road. From the Greco‑Bactrian period to the Kushan Empire and beyond, Termez played a central role in connecting India, Central Asia, and the Mediterranean world.

Historical Background

• In the II century BC, King Demetrius of Bactria expanded his kingdom to Gandhara and Sogdiana, making Termez the most important crossing on the Oxus (Amudarya River).

• Subsequent rulers, including Agathocles, Euphratides, and Heliocles, continued to strengthen Termez as a trade hub.

• The Yuezhi‑Tokharians, founders of the Kushan Empire, recognized Termez’s strategic value, controlling routes from India through the Oxus valley to Margiana, Parthia, and the Black Sea.

Trade and Prosperity

• Ancient writers such as Pliny and Strabo described the flow of goods through Termez, highlighting its importance in global trade.

• By the IX–XIII centuries, Termez flourished as a center of commodity‑money relations and international commerce.

• The city’s treasury benefited from caravan trade, supported by numerous caravanserais.

• Termez was also a major river port on the Amudarya, with ships transporting goods to Khorezm and beyond.

Exported Goods

• Products of Termez artisans were not only for local use but exported widely.

• According to Maqsidi, Termez exported asafetida, soap, and boats.

• Asafetida was valued both as a spice and for its medicinal properties, while specialized pottery was produced for transporting goods abroad.

Why Surkhandarya Matters on the Silk Road

• A unique region where civilizations met and exchanged culture, religion, and trade.

• Evidence of Greco‑Bactrian, Kushan, Islamic, and medieval influences.

• Today, Surkhandarya remains a living testimony to the heritage of the Silk Road.

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