Who were the Sogdians ? What impact have they made on the Silk Road? And how did neighboring countries influenced those people?
Sogdiana was located between Amu Darya and Syr Darya rivers in modern Uzbekistan and Tajikistan. Even though Samarkand was considered the capital, Sogdiana was actually much larger, defined by the areas where Sogdian language was spoken. The language itself was Eastern Iranian and was highly popular along the Silk Road.
Sogdians were known as a great merchants and traders along the Silk Road. The Chinese even told anecdotes about Sogdians’ merchant race.
Sogdians didn’t have a single polity and were controlled by more powerful rulers from Hephthalites to Turks; which didn’t stop them from thriving. Sogdiana was perfectly located in a heart of the Silk Road with access to west (Sassanian Empire); north (Russian steppes);south( India and Afghanistan) and east(China). Sogdian rulers, whether Hephthalites or Turks supported their mercantile activities and even offer a protection to caravans(which also helped Buddhist monks to travel safely along those caravans ).
In terms of religion Sogdiana was mainly influenced by Iran , which religion at that time was Zoroastrianism. Therefore, Sogdians worshiped Zoroastrian gods , but also several other deities. Goddess Nana (influence of Hindu); small communities of Christianity and Buddhism also existed.
Even though highly influenced by others, Sogdians still had their own culture and played a major role in developing of Silk Road relationships. They were know for their silk textiles, language abilities(many Sogdians used to be translators), and artisans (Sogdian dancers were very popular with Chinese).
Being born in Uzbekistan, Tashkent I’ve traveled to Samarkand, Bukhara, Khiva and other regions. One striking thing that I have noticed that the people are very proud of their culture and the funny thing that they are in some way still the same as they were many centuries ago. When you get of the station people are running to you trying to sell you things from breads and sweets to cars and whatever.
They looooveeee to bargain and I think it became their culture.
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