Merv was once at the heart of the ancient Silk Road connecting European markets with China. Today, only its ruins remain in Turkmenistan’s Mary province. The city first came to prominence under the Arabs in the 7th century, when it served as a base for Islam’s expansion into central Asia. Then, in 1037, the Seljuk Turks took over the city. It is during this period that Merv expanded rapidly and became known as ‘the mother of the world’. Merv is thought to have been the largest city in the world from AD1145 to 1153, with a population of 200,000. However, with prosperity came tragedy.
In 1221, Merv opened its gates to Tolui, son of Genghis Khan – chief of the Mongols – and the majority of its inhabitants were killed. Modern historians agree that the event was one of the bloodiest occupations in history. Merv was never again to regain its splendour, and following over a century of Russian, and then Soviet dominion, faded into obscurity.