ABSTRACT
The formation of a long frontier between the Caliphate and the Eurasian steppes generated multidimensional relations between Islam and Central Asia. Among other things, this vast region exported a great variety of goods and materials to the Islamic centres in the Near East. Among the merchandise that reached Baghdad and other cities were Eurasian (Turkic nomadic pastoralist and other populations) men and women. Consequently, the ޏAbbƗsid administration (dƯwƗn) was keen to know more about the geography of these steppes. Clerks in the service of the Caliphate and scholars searched for information on the roads, provinces, cities, people and economy of this enormous area.23 They compiled facts, ¿ gures and legends.Travellers added information.
