16. The Turk khaganate: ethnopolitical history, sources and culture

The Göktürks rise to power began in 546 when Bumin Qaghan made a preemptive strike against the Uighur and Tiele tribes who were planning a revolt against their overlords, the Rouran (Mongolia name Jujan). For this service he expected to be rewarded with a Rouran princess, i.e. marry into the royal family. However Rouran kaghan sent an emissary to Bumin to rebuke him, saying, "You are my blacksmith slave. How dare you utter these words?".

As "blacksmith slave" comment was recorded in Chinese chronicles, some claim that the Türks were blacksmith servants for the Rouran elite, and that "blacksmith slavery" may indicate a kind of vassalage system prevailed in Rouran society. According to, Denis Sinor ( prof. Indiana univ.) this reference indicates that the Türks were specialized in metallurgy, though it is unclear if they were miners or, indeed, blacksmiths.

Disappointed in his hopes, Bumin allied with the Wei state against Rouran, their common enemy. In 552 (February 11 - March 10, 552), Bumin defeated the Rouran Khan Anagui in north of Huaihuang (north China).

Having excelled both in battle and diplomacy Bumin declared himself Illig Qaghan of the new khaganate at Turk but died a year later.

The Göktürks were the first Turkic people known to write their language in a runic script. Life stories of Kul Tigin and Bilge Qaghan, as well as the chancellor Tonyukuk were recorded in the Orkhon inscriptions. It was later used by the Uyghur Empire. Additionally, a Yenisei variant is known from 9th-century Kyrgyz inscriptions, and it has likely cousins in the Talas Valley of Turkestan and the Old Hungarian script of the 10th century. The alphabet was usually written from right to left.

Tengriism, a form of shamanism centered on a celestial deity, Tengri, includes elements which resemble concepts of Confucian and Hindu thought.

The Khaganate received missionaries from the Buddhists religion, which were incorporated into Tengriism. Later most of the Turks settled in Central Asia, Middle east and Africa adopted the Islamic faith.

Tengriism is a Central Asian religion that incorporates elements of shamanism, animism, totemism and ancestor worship. In old times, it was the major belief of Turkic peoples. It focuses around the sky deity Tengri and reverence for the sky in general. In Tengriism, the meaning of life is seen as living in harmony with the surrounding world. Tengriist believers view their existence as sustained by the eternal blue Sky, Tengri, the fertile Mother-Earth, spirit Eje, and a ruler who is regarded as the holy spirit of the Sky. Heaven, Earth, the spirits of nature and the ancestors provide every need and protect all humans.

17) Western Turkic Khaganate: sources and history of the study

The West-khanate occupied territory from the Ili and Chu in the south-east to the Volga River in the north-west of the Irtysh to the Amu Darya. The capital of the Khanate and the winter rate Hagan was the city Suyab on the Chu River, the summer rate - Mynbulak in Zhambyl region. Etnopolitical backbone of the khanate were "ten tribes" - "it is ok Budun." part of the "ten tribes" were Turks ashina, Uysun, Kanly, Turgish, Uighurs, Kyrgyz, Karluk, Oguz, kimaks and Kipchak. The first ruler was Tardush (Dago). He attacked the body in the Altai tribes conquered their own, declaring himself Hagan Khanate and West Turk Khanate political rule of the West-particularly intensified during the reign of Kagan Shegu (610-618) And Tone (618-630). Shegu expanded the boundaries of Khanate in the east to the Altai Mountains in the west - to the Pamirs. Tone reformed system of government, appointed from the local community tax collectors in the position of "selif". Kagan Tone important role in foreign policy averted relations with Iran and Byzantium. When clashes between Kagan sided with Byzantium. In 627, he sent troops to the Byzantine Empire. Such assistance was a testimony to the power and authority of the West-high international Khanate. In 630 tribes Khanate began to fight for dominance. In 634, with the support of the tribe came to power nushebi Eshbar Elteris and was hailed Kagan. He introduced a system of government "ten tribes" - "it is ok Budun." Every possession had ten tumens (10,000 soldiers). The word "Budun" means "country people." In the Ili and Chu valleys of the struggle for power between the tribes and the muzzle nushebi lasted from 657 to 640 years. Taking advantage of the weakening Khanate, in 659, the Chinese troops invaded in the Seven Rivers. Kagan Eshbar died Khanate lost its independence. Only at the end of the VII - VIII centuries early leader Turgeshes Ushlik made successful campaigns against the Tang Empire. This victory secured the dominant role Turgeshes. As a result of the war with China in 682 Eastern Turks regained their state in Mongolia. During the reign of Kutluk Elterisa and Qapagan Khanate became a strong state. West Turkic Khanate (682-744) Conquered the territory of Kazakhstan, Central Asia, East Turkestan and Southern Siberia. Bilge-Kagan establishing the power to strengthen the state, have concluded with our neighbors important peace treaties. Kultegin adviser, the commander Tonyukok in their "eternal" stone writings glorify military prowess of the Turks, the exploits of Bilge Kagan and Kultegin. After the death of Bilge Kagan in 741 khanate began to disintegrate. In 744, the Uighur Khanate was formed (744-840). The system of government was of the patriarchal-feudal character. The supreme power was hereditary dynasty from one member to another Kagan. Know of a kind Hagan wore titles yabgu, shad, elteber. A court cases performed Buruk and Tarkhans. The main pillar of Kagan on the ground were the lords. Simple commoners herders called Kara Budun - black. Confession "blood debt" - compulsory military service. The conquered tribes paid tribute to food and furs. Subordinate, vassal Zhetisu sedentary population, conquered by Turks called Tats. There were slaves of prisoners of war. The main view of the economy was cattle. In southern Kazakhstan city developed rapidly Ispidzhab, Taraz, Talkhir, Almalyk. A special role is played in the prime cities Sughdians - the ancient East Iranian nationalities living in Central Asia and Kazakhstan. At the beginning of VII century, the Turks began to move to the mass of the Settlement. Contributed to the growth of cities with Iran and Byzantium. In Zhetisu along the Great Silk Road, the Turks have been involved in international trade. Chinese traveler monk Xuan Jian shows that at the beginning of VII century, the rate of Kagan nobles wore clothes made of silk.