ELBRUS ISAYEV
DOI: https://doi.org/This article explores the critical role of trade relations, particularly along the Great Silk Road, in shaping cultural development across regions. Using Azerbaijan as a focal point, the study demonstrates how commercial routes facilitated not only economic exchange but also the dissemination of knowledge, literature, architecture, and religious traditions. The paper highlights the transmission of Azerbaijani literary works, especially those by Nizami Ganjavi, and the architectural influence of Ajami Nakhchivani through trade caravans. Particular attention is paid to the function of caravanserais, bridges, and urban centers in fostering intercultural communication and the growth of city life. Drawing on historical sources, archaeological evidence, and academic scholarship, the study emphasizes the interconnectedness of trade and cultural progress. It argues that Azerbaijan’s strategic position on ancient trade routes allowed it to become both a recipient and a transmitter of rich cultural influences between East and West. The research contributes to broader discussions on cultural globalization in historical contexts.
