Medieval Arab and Persian Authors on the Kyrgyz

Arab and Persian Sources of the IX—XVII Centuries

Medieval Arab and Persian authors left us very valuable and quite rich information about the Kyrgyz. They were and remain the main basis for studying the history of the Kyrgyz people.

Materials on the History of the Kyrgyz and Kyrgyzstan, Vol. I. Moscow, 1973

This collection includes excerpts from translations of works by Eastern authors of the IX—XVI centuries on the history of the Kyrgyz and Kyrgyzstan, as well as neighboring peoples and tribes. They were carried out in 1954—1957 by employees of the Leningrad Branch of the Institute of Oriental Studies of the USSR Academy of Sciences. We have selected excerpts that concern only the Kyrgyz and directly related materials. Significant corrections and additions have been introduced in the notes and comments of the translators in light of the achievements of science in recent years.

The "Materials..." also contain excerpts from the works of Eastern authors up to the XIX century.

Al-Istakhri. "Kitab Masalik al-Mamalik" ("Book of the Ways of States")

There is no biographical information about this geographer from Fars (Iran). It is only known that he traveled extensively and visited Central Asia. In 930—933, he composed his work "Kitab Masalik al-Mamalik" ("Book of the Ways of States"), which has reached us in Arabic and Persian. In his section "Mawara al-Nahr," there is information about the peoples of Central Asia, their cities, settlements, trade, etc.

Translation from Arabic by L. Z. Pisarevsky. ("Book of the Ways of States")
Text: In the kingdom of Sin1, there are various languages. As for all the Turks, (such as) Toguzguz, Khyrkhyz, Kimak, Guzz, and Khazladzhi, they have one language, and each of them understands each other.

As for the Khyrkhyz, they live between the possessions of the Toguzguz2, Kimak3, the ocean4, and the land of Khazladzhi5.

The Toguzguz are located between Tubbat6, the land of Khazladzhi, the Khyrkhyz, and the kingdom of Sin.

And it extends behind the Gura mountains within Khorasan to the borders of Bamiyan up to Bandjhir, until they enter the land of Wakhhan and branch out (then) in Mawara al-Nahr, (passing) to the inner limits (of the land) of the Turks up to the borders of Ilak7 and Shash8, near the Khyrkhyz.

In it (in Mawara al-Nahr), there is musk, which is delivered to them (the inhabitants of Mawara al-Nahr) from Tubbat and from the Khyrkhyz. And from there, it is delivered (musk) to other countries.

And these mines, which are located in Usrushana9, Fergana, Ilak, Shelji10, and Labana11 up to the land of the Khyrkhyz12, all of them are located in the main ridge of these mountains and in the adjacent mountains.

The next largest city is Kuba13, the most pleasant of all cities. There is a citadel14, rabat15, a congregational mosque, and markets.

Then comes the city of Osh. This is a lively city, surrounded by walls; it has a citadel and the emir's palace. The city is adjacent to the mountain16, on which there is a watchpoint to observe the Turks.

Uzgend is the last of the cities of Fergana, (if going) towards the area of war (with the Muslims)17. It has a wall, rabat, citadel, flowing waters, and gardens,