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Ancient Pamir Trade Routes

Type Object Region Central Asia Time c. -500

The ancient Pamir routes were key overland passages crossing Pamir Plateau passes linking Central Asia with South and East Asia, long used by caravan…

Timeline

  1. c. -500–-100Wakhan Corridor · Wakhan CorridorAncient Greek and Chinese sources indirectly indicate that Pamir passes were already used by merchants and armies, with the Wakhan Corridor serving as a natural corridor linking Central Asia and South Asia.
  2. 600–800Khunjerab Pass · KhunjerabIn the Tang dynasty, contact with India and the Abbasid Caliphate proceeded via the ancient Pamir routes; Xuanzang's westward journey for scriptures passed through this region, and the establishment of postal relay stations and military garrisons improved the traversability of the pass trade routes.
  3. 1206–1294Pamir Plateau trade route · Pamir PlateauAfter the Mongols unified Central Asia between 1201 and 1210, the ancient Pamir routes became important trade arteries linking Persia, Central Asia, and East Asia, with caravans and envoys frequently crossing the various passes.
  4. 1900Karakoram Highway · Karakoram HighwayIn modern times the ancient Pamir routes have been gradually superseded by modern border highways, but the courses of the passes and the ruins of postal relay stations still mark the historical trajectory of this thousand-year trade route.

Sources