Tamerlane's Trade War: The Silk Road Embargo of 1385

In 1385, Tamerlane imposed a sweeping embargo on the Silk Road, cutting off trade between China and the Islamic world. This episode explores the economic warfare behind his conquests — how he used tariffs, trade routes, and merchant privileges to strangle his enemies. We examine the tamgha tax system, the role of Samarkand as a trade hub, and the devastating impact on cities like Khiva and Bukhara. Lucas and Luna discuss the Zafarnama's accounts of Tamerlane's trade policies, the resistance of Transoxianan merchants, and how this economic coercion shaped his empire's wealth. The episode also touches on the legacy of his trade networks in the later Timurid Renaissance. #Tamerlane #SilkRoad #Embargo1385 #Tamgha #Samarkand #Transoxiana #Zafarnama #Khiva #Bukhara #Timurid #SilkRoadTrade #EconomicHistory #CentralAsia #MongolLegacy #TradeWar #FexingoHistory #History #Podcast Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo