KUIS - Korea University of International Studies
IJCAS

Volume 17, 2013

Vol. 17, No. 1

Contention Between Huns (Hsiung-Nu) and China on North Line of Silk Road

Murat Öztürk

Abstract

According to a old belief, Chinese started Silk Road from Sin-kianf oases in 136 A.D. It is thought that, this road was used by Indian traders to arrive the last stop at Lanzhu, by following Yellow River in Chinese territory. This may count as precise information bu history of trade is nearly older as history of humanity. But main target of Silk Road is Roman Empire so this trade should be started during the foundation and development period of Roman Empire. Silk Road starts from China and follows two main routes. One of these routes circles Taklamakan desert and Tarim Basin and arrives oases in North and South of the desert. And then traders pass through from south and north of Tien-Shan Mountains. Route goes from north of mountains is longer. Route gets in Tarim Basin is a bit longer from the route that goes to Kashgar from south but less precipitous than it. Steppe people always interested in these areas. There were small dynasties on these oases lands during the Hun (Hsiung-nu) period. These productive agricultural lands had vital importance for Huns who wanted to make agriculture or get cereal. When Silk Road routes and Lobnor city, founded on crossroads of trade routes in the east region of oases, are added to importance of agricultural areas, contentions occured between Huns and Han State (China) to dominate this territory.

Keywords

Huns (Hsiung-nu) China Silk Road Tarim Basin Trade

How to Cite

Murat Öztürk (2013). Contention Between Huns (Hsiung-Nu) and China on North Line of Silk Road. IJCAS, Vol. 17, No. 1, .

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