Economic structure of the Timurid State (1380-1506)

The economic structure of the medieval Turko-Mongol states was shaped by their geographical location, their strategic position on trade routes and the economic activities of their societies. Among these states, the Golden Horde, Ilkhanids, Chagatai Khanate and Timur Empire stand out. The economy of the Turko-Mongol states was largely based on nomadic animal husbandry. These societies raised cattle and sheep in the steppes with wide pastures and obtained animal products such as meat, milk and leather. Nomadic lifestyle made animal husbandry the centre of economic life in these regions where agriculture was limited. However, agricultural activities were also supported in the conquered regions and agricultural products were used as a source of taxation. During the Mongol Empire, especially in China and Central Asia, urbanisation and industry developed significantly. As cities became centres of trade, artisans and merchants played an important role in these economic activities. During the Timurid Empire, cities such as Samarkand and Bukhara gained great importance both as trade and cultural centres. Thanks to the Silk Road, which covers a significant part of Turkestan geography, international trade has shown significant development. These trade routes provided the flow of goods, culture and information between Asia and Europe. Especially the Golden Horde State, Ilkhanids and Timurids gained great economic gains by controlling these trade routes. Trade caravans provided significant revenues to the treasury of the states by carrying silk, spices, precious metals and other luxury goods. In the Timurid State, the tax system was one of the basic elements of the economic structure. Taxes levied on agricultural products, animal products and trade goods strengthened the financial structure of the state. The Mongols organised the local economy according to their own interests by making tax regulations in the regions they conquered. The Timurids issued their own coins to ensure economic stability and developed various policies to ensure the security of trade. States such as the Ilkhanids and the Timurid Empire established outposts to ensure security on trade routes and provided incentives such as tax exemption to merchants. The above-mentioned elements are a summary of our comprehensive study of the economic structure of the Timurid State. This study consists of an introduction, four chapters, conclusion and bibliography. The introduction consists of a description of the sources used in this study. In the first part of the study, titled Production Process of Economic Structure, the main production activities in cities and villages are mentioned. These activities include crafts, mines and weaving, agriculture and animal husbandry. The second part of the study, titled Money and Price, covers the mints, money minting, currencies, types of money, titles and nicknames, and the monetary policy of the rulers during the Timurid period. The third chapter, titled Trade, is a comprehensive study on trade in the Timurid geography. In this section, the caste of merchants, the trade policies of the rulers, imports and exports, and trade routes are analysed. The fourth chapter, titled Finance Organization, which constitutes the last part of the study, deals with the administrative organisation of the economic structure, taxes, which constitute the cornerstone of state revenue, and tax officials.