THE EXCHANGE OF TEA AND HORSES IN TRADE RELATIONS BETWEEN CHINA AND CENTRAL ASIA

Ikromov Nozim Muzrapovich Ikromov Nozim Muzrapovich; Abdusamad Fayziyev

doi:10.56292/SJFSU/vol31_iss5/a72

Authors

Ikromov Nozim Muzrapovich

Termez State University

https://orcid.org/0009-0003-3464-9991
Fayziyev Abdusamad Abduxoliq ugli

Termez State University, PhD student

https://orcid.org/0009-0002-9298-8492

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.56292/SJFSU/vol31_iss5/a72

Keywords:

Silk Road, Cha Ma Si, tea-horse trade, Chinese history, institutional trade systems, Central Asia, medieval globalization.

Abstract

This article explores the institutional framework and strategic significance of the Cha Ma Si (Tea and Horse Trade Agency) within the broader context of transcontinental commerce along the Silk Road. By examining the agency’s role in regulating the exchange of Chinese tea for Central Asian horses, the study highlights how tea and horses functioned as critical economic and military resources. The research draws on historical records from the Song, Yuan, and Ming dynasties to demonstrate how the Cha Ma Si evolved into one of the earliest state-controlled mechanisms for cross-cultural trade. It also analyzes the ways in which this system contributed to economic integration, border security, and the formation of early globalization processes in Eurasia.

Author Biographies

Ikromov Nozim Muzrapovich, Termez State University

Associate prof. of the Department of History of Uzbekistan and Source Studies of the Termez State University
Fayziyev Abdusamad Abduxoliq ugli, Termez State University, PhD student

Teacher of the Department of History of Uzbekistan and Source Studies of the Termez State University, PhD student

References

1. Alimov I.A. The 13th century Southern China in Ping Zhou Ke Tan. Manuscripta Orientalia. International Journal for Oriental Manuscript Research. Vol. 16, № 2, 2010. – P. 32-34.

2. Ataxodjayev A.M., Zamonov A.T. va boshq. O‘zbekiston tarixi. I qism: Eng qadimgi davrlardan - IX asrgacha. Darslik. – T.: “BAYOZ”, 2024. – 608 b.

3. Forbes A., Henley D. China’s Ancient Tea Horse Road. – Chiang Mai: Cognoscenti Books, 2011. – 91 p.

4. Mahmudov A.M. Chig‘atoy ulusi davrida Xitoy bilan bog‘lagan savdo aloqalari tarixidan. Fan, ta’lim va madaniyat jurnali, 1(1), 2023. – B. 28-33.

5. Nurmuhamedova M. Buyuk ipak yo‘li tarixi va madaniy almashuvlar. Problems and solutions of scientific and innovative research, 1(6), 2024. – P. 137-140.

6. Obitxonov A.A. Buyuk ipak yo‘li va uning ahamiyati. Modern Science and Research, № 3(10), 2024. – P. 8-13.

7. Paul J. Smith. Taxing Heaven’s Storehouse: Horses, Bureaucrats, and the Destruction of the Sichuan Tea Industry, 1074-1224. – London: Council on East Asian Studies, Harvard University, 1991. – 489 p.

8. Rossabi M. The tea and horse trade with Inner Asia during the Ming. Journal of Asian History, 4(2), 1970. – P. 136–168.

9. Sima Qian, Records of the Grand Historian: Han Dynasty II, trans. Burton Watson. – New York: Columbia University Press, 1993. – 505 p.

10. Sultanova E.F. Buyuk ipak yo‘li – sivilizaциyalar chorrahasi. Oriental renaissance: Innovative, educational, natural and social sciences, 5 (1), 2025. – P. 242-247.

11. Tasheva Sh.J. The Great Silk Road. Galaxy International Interdisciplinary Research Journal. № 10(1), 2022. – P. 839-841.

12. Victor H. Mair.,Erling Hoh. The true history of tea. – London: Thames & Hudson, 2009. – 280 p.

13. Yang Fuquan. The “Ancient Tea and Horse Caravan Road,” the “Silk Road” of Southwest China. Silk Road Journal, Vol. 2. № 1. 2004. – P. 29-33.

14. Анарбаев А. Древняя Фергана и великий шелковый путь. // Человеческий Капитал, 2019, № 2(122). – C. 56-65.

15. Бань Гу. Хань шу (“История Хань”): в 8 т. / пер. с китайского В.В. Башкеева под ред. М.Ю. Ульянова; коммент., вступит. ст. и приложение В.В. Башкеева и М.Ю. Ульянова. Т. 1. - Ди цзи («Хроники [правления] императоров»). Главы 1-6. - М.: ИДВ РАН - Вост. лит., 2021. - 470 с.

16. Вэй Чжэн 魏徵. Суй шу 隋書. – Пекин 北京: Чжунхуа шуцзюй 中华书局, 1973. – 1904 c.

17. Mavlonov O‘.M. Markaziy Osiyoning kadimgi yo‘llari: shakllanishi va rivojlanish bosqichlari. Monografiya. –T.: Akademiya, 2008. – 432 b.

18. Маматова М.Б. Чай в истории народов Узбекистана. Монография. – T.: «Elnur-Print», 2023. – 132 с.

19. Orziyev M.Z, Latipov J.L. So‘g‘diy An Lu-shan: Xitoydagi harbiy sarkarda. – Buxoro: Durdona, 2015. – 75 b.

20. Ртвеладзе Э.В. Великий шелковый путь: Энциклопедический справочник: Древность и раннее средневековье. – Т.: “Ўзбекистон миллий энциклопедияси”, 1999. – 280 с.

21. Xodjayev A., Karimova N., Qo‘ldoshev Sh., Djumaniyozova F., Azimov X. O‘zbekiston – Xitoy munosabatlari tarixidan. – T.: «Fan ziyosi» nashriyoti, 2022. – 216 b.

22. Xo‘jayev A. Markaziy Osiyo xalqlari tarixiga oid ma’lumotlar (Qadimiy hamda ilk o‘rta asr Xitoy manbalaridan tarjimalar va tadqiqotlar). – T.: 2022. – 435 b.

23. Xo‘jayev A. Farg‘ona tarixiga oid ma’lumotlar: Qadimiy va ilk o‘rta asr Xitoy manbalaridan tarjimalar va ularga sharhlar. – Farg‘ona: «Farg‘ona» nashriyoti, 2013. – 288 b