The historical fortress of Aq-Qalih, a large and little-known structure in the Juvayn Plain of northern Khorasan, is tentatively attributed to the Mongol Ilkhanid period based on limited prior studies. However, extant Ilkhanid -period documents offer no confirmation of its existence. Therefore, the hypothesis of Ilkhanid construction relies solely on archaeological evidence and the dated inscription of the Aq-Qalih Mosque. This research seeks to establish the significance of Aq-Qalih as a midway settlement along Ilkhanid travel routes in northern Khorasan, utilizing historical documents and GIS analysis. Further, by comparing Aq-Qalih’s structure with contemporaneous structures in Mongol-influenced regions of China and Iran, this study assesses the hypothesis of Ilkhanid construction. The findings indicate Aq-Qalih’s strategic location along major Ilkhanid travel routes, with the Ilkhans’ and their successors’ annual visits increasing the likelihood of a midway settlement. Moreover, structural comparisons with Chinese examples like Shangdu, Daidu, and Yingchang, as well as Sultaniyya in Iran, reveal significant similarities, bolstering the hypothesis of Ilkhanid-era construction.

Relations between Iran and the East Asia date back to ancient times. These interactions ranged in function and scale from the initial development of overland trade routes by hopeful merchants, all the way to the political entanglements of ruling dynasties. These relations can be traced through material culture but also through their incorporation into written texts. Although, China (Čīn) and Korea (Silla) had been referenced in relation to the Zoroastrian heroes of the resurrection, Japan did not have any position in this regard according to Persian texts. Additionally, the name China was known for the Middle Persian languages such as Sogdian, Manichean and Zoroastrian Pahlavi texts, those texts have never mentioned the name of Japan. Although, many scholarly works have been published on Iran-Japan historical relations, the author believes that some aspects of these relations need to be reviewed. Zoroastrian late texts describe Čīnestān while it is hard to explain the term included Japan and Silla, but this information can be seen frequently in the Early Islamic Periods widely about Silla. According to the Persian texts, Čīn and Silla were two “holy toponyms” where the final (Zoroastrian) savior would come to rescue Iran from the Arabs. Surprisingly heroes-kings like Jamshid, Faridun, Faranak, Zahhak, Garshasb, Sām were entangled with these two toponyms according to Persian texts. Clearly Japan appeared less frequently as a toponym in Persian classic texts. The author believes that believe “refraining to give support to Sasanian princes” should serve as a significant factor in dropping Japan’s name by Persian texts. In this article I will try to answer “why references to Japan are lacking in Persian classic texts?”

This article delves into the intricate evolution of swords and sabers in China and Iran, shedding light on the craftsmanship that shaped these formidable weapons. The article begins by exploring the genesis and progression of sword shapes in China, focusing on the distinct forms that emerged over time. It particularly highlights the stark differences between the straight-edged jian and the various types of dao, which are characterized by their single-edged design. The discourse then shifts to the Persian context, unraveling the true essence of the term ‘shamshir’. Contrary to the common misconception held by numerous scholars and collectors in the West, ‘shamshir’ is not confined to highly curved sabers. Instead, it is a broad term used in Persian to denote any kind of sword, irrespective of its shape. The article further delves into the historical period when curved swords began to gain prominence in both China and Iran. This exploration not only provides a deeper understanding of the evolution of these weapons but also offers insights into the cultural and historical contexts that influenced their development. 

Since the Achaemenid period, Iranians, as rulers of part of the Silk Road, played a critical role in maintaining the security and infrastructure of this trade network. The Sogdians, as representatives of the eastern Iranian cultural sphere, held a particularly influential role in trade and intercultural communications from the mid-third century to the eighth century CE. Beyond their activities as merchants along the Silk Road, the Sogdians developed a form of “Silk Peace Diplomacy,” establishing a sustained presence in Chinese territories. As one of the prominent eastern Iranian groups, Sogdian merchants promoted a diplomacy of coexistence along the Silk Road. In particular, findings from northern China over the past two decades highlight the tangible and diplomatic dimensions of the Sogdian presence, emphasizing their pivotal role in what may be termed the “Silk Peace.” Archaeological excavations in northern China-notably the discovery of Sogdian family tombs-although initially reported through preliminary studies, reveal important aspects of Sogdian inscriptions, artistic expressions, spiritual beliefs, and especially mural paintings. These findings provide invaluable insight into the Sogdians’ integration into Chinese society. The primary objective of this research is to introduce the newly uncovered Sogdian cultural materials in northern China to the broader scholarly community concerned with Iranian cultural history, and to illustrate the significance of the Sogdians’ presence within their new geographical context in China. The research findings demonstrate the evolution of Sogdian communities in northern China from initially closed, self-contained groups to more open societies engaging in dynamic cultural interactions with the Chinese. It appears that the Sogdians initially migrated to China as families of artists, craftsmen, and merchants. Over time, they integrated into Chinese society while maintaining distinct aspects of their Iranian heritage, thus shaping an enduring pattern of cultural exchange between the Sogdian and Chinese civilizations.

In this article, I build on my earlier work, which places Manichaean missionary activity within a larger network of court activity from the Roman Empire to Tang China, in which ambassadors, as well as wandering sages and ritual specialists, spread knowledge about cultural difference. These interactions usually took part between neighboring principalities, but they were also enmeshed in the gradual spread eastward of Iranian Manichaeism across Central Asia. Various Manichaean accounts highlight the importance of teaching “wisdom” in the bid for support from local rulers. According to the Cologne Mani Codex, Mani meets an unnamed king, instructing him in wisdom, the Manichaean commandments, as well as the “two natures”. What fragmentary evidence we possess for the spread of Manichaeism to China suggests that it, too, proceeded largely through the activity of traveling sages across court networks. 

The rise and migration of the Hephthalites left a significant impact on the exchange of East-West civilizations, and the empire they established was one of the inevitable problems in the study of Silk Road. The period from the end of 5th century to the early 6th century was the zenith of Hephthalite Empire when the alliance between Hephthalites and Sasanians was established and the Hephthalites expanded to Tarim Basin and southward to North-West India. The Hephthalite Empire played an important intermediary role in the interaction of East-West civilizations, ensuring the stable development of the Silk Road in the 5th and 6th centuries and laying the foundation for the prosperity of the Silk Road during the Sui and Tang Dynasties. The Chinese Northern and Southern Dynasties observed the Hephthalites in China and noted their interactions with different ethnic groups, such as the Han Chinese, Sogdians and Persians. Chinese written sources such as the Book of Wei, the Book of Zhou (Zhoushu 周书), the Book of Liang (Liangshu, 梁书), the History of Northern Dynasties (Beishi, 北史), the Book of Sui (Suishu, 隋书), the New Book of Tang (Xintangshu, 新唐书) as well as Comprehensive Statutes (Tongdian, 通典), provide substantial information about the Hephthalites. With the advancement of archaeological discoveries in recent years, the Hephthalite coins and Persian coins have also become crucial numismatic evidence for understanding the Hephthalite activities in medieval China and their relations with different ethnic groups in China and along the Silk Road.