THE ROLE OF CROSSINGS AND RIVER PORTS IN THE COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS OF THE KHOREZM OASIS (9TH–13TH CENTURIES)
Keywords:
Khorezm Oasis, 9th–13th centuries, river crossings, river ports, Amu Darya, waterways, caravan routes, city of Kath, Urgench, Arab geographers, trade centers, defense structures, communication system.Abstract
This article examines the communication systems that developed and operated in the Khorezm Oasis during the 9th to 13th centuries, with particular emphasis on the role of river crossings and ports. The research analyzes the socio-economic and military-strategic significance of these infrastructures. It explores the Amu Darya River, its tributaries, canal networks, and the riverside trading and military stations – namely, the ports and fords – within the broader context of Khorezm’s political administration, trade connections, and international transit systems. The study is based on classical sources by Arab and Persian geographers such as Ibn Rusta, Istakhri, Ibn Hawqal, and al-Maqdisi, as well as on modern historical and archaeological investigations. Particular attention is given to the development of agriculture, domestic logistics, and foreign trade in the oasis through water routes and related hydraulic engineering structures. In conclusion, the integrative role of the Amu Darya and Syr Darya rivers in interregional networks is synthesized, and the historical-geographical position of Khorezm is evaluated within the context of contemporary academic research.
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