INteresting Topic about Ancient History..

 

The Silk Road had been in existence since the 2nd century BC.  Since then, regardless of what empire or regime was in power over whatever part of the Silk Road, the Silk Road was maintained.  It is therefore not purely political factors which brought to an end its usage but rather rather religious ones as well.   After the demise of the regime of the Great Khan in China the Silk Road continued to be in use until the conversion of the Mongol regime in Persia (the Il-Khans) to Islam.  From then on, Europeans were either barred from its usage or were no longer protected on both land and sea.  The Eurasian route became fragmented by various rival hordes, and the sea-route was under the power of the new Perso-Mongol regime.  Goods could continue to be purchased from the Far East but from local Muslim markets such as those of Egypt but at a 300 percent markup, hence not being profitable. 

 

But while the Silk Road was now closed to Westerners, it was still open to Muslims, who travelled through it quite freely.  There was even a story of one man who had a friend in north Africa.......and met him in China!!!   The last great ruler to have control over the route, Tamerlane could only hold it until his death.  From then on it was dangerous even for Muslims to traverse, despite the fact that much of the trade route was Islamized.  Other rival Mongol hordes, had converted to a militant Buddhism and were a constant danger to travellers.  The real end of the use of the Silk Road as a viable route ended after the death of Tamerlane.