Chinese Written Sources The first historical information about the Kyrgyz appears in the early Chinese source "Shiji" ("Historical Records," compiled in the 1st century BC) by Sima Qian, where it discusses the expansion of the Xiongnu chanyu Maodun's state borders to the east up to Korea and to the west up to modern Xinjiang, around 201 BC.
Southwest ceremonial complex of Burana buildings In 1972 and 1974, protective work was conducted at the Burana settlement by the Institute of History of the Kyrgyz SSR. The construction zone for the irrigation network and the development of new land for the "Alchal" collective farm included part of the hills, including the remnants of a medieval estate in the southeastern sector of the settlement. A specially formed group from the Burana detachment of the Kyrgyz archaeological
Archaeological and Architectural Research Since 1970, the Ministry of Culture of the Kyrgyz SSR has been conducting archaeological and architectural research aimed at restoring the monument by the Special Scientific Restoration Production Workshops (SSRPW) of the republic. The Uzgen team of the Kyrgyz Archaeological Expedition of the Institute of History of the Academy of Sciences of the Kyrgyz SSR, led by D. F. Vinnik, was involved in the excavation work (V. D. Goryacheva participated in
Renewal of Research at Burana in the Post-War Period The continuation of research at Burana falls into the post-war period in the history of the study and preservation of monuments in Kyrgyzstan, lasting until the 1960s. This stage is characterized by a rise in Central Asian archaeology as a whole, the expansion of archaeological work by the Kyrgyz Comprehensive Archaeological and Ethnographic Expedition, as well as systematic study of architectural monuments and preparation for their
Expeditions 1937-1940 at the Burana Settlement The difficulties of the recovery period in the country, the shortage of archaeologists in Central Asia, and their complete absence in Kyrgyzstan, as well as the closure of the Central Asian Committee for several years, slowed down the ongoing work on the study and restoration of architectural monuments in the region. Neither the establishment of the Kyrgyz Scientific Research Institute of Local Lore in October 1928 (based at the State Museum of
Identification of Burana with the settlement of Munora The identification of Burana with the settlement of Munora, mentioned in the 16th century by Muhammad Haidar Guragani, is widely accepted among contemporary scholars. In this regard, particular interest is drawn to this author's account of an epitaph he saw and read on a slab for the "glorious imam," "most perfect sheikh," "a scholar of both branches and fundamentals of jurisprudence," the capital scholar
Resolution of the Central Executive Committee and the Council of People's Commissars of the Turkestan Republic The resolution of 1917 found the Burana settlement in a deplorable state. In the beginning, the temptation to use bricks from the minaret noticeably increased among the population of Tokmak, and by 1919, due to the complete impunity of such actions, it took on a threatening character. This was partially halted by the spontaneously awakened interest of the broad public in
Excavations by F. V. Poyarkov at the Burana Settlement In the late 19th century, Semirechye attracted the attention of several all-Russian archaeological organizations due to unexpected discoveries. In the summer of 1885, land surveyor V. A. Andreyev, who was working on mapping the cultural lands of Jetysu, a prominent local historian fluent in several local languages and the author of several literary and ethnographic works, including translations of folk works from Uzbek and Tajik,
Ancient People — Kyrgyz The Kyrgyz, whose roots go deep into antiquity, lost in the darkness of millennia, hold many secrets and mysteries. The end of the 3rd century BC is only the first mention of the Kyrgyz, which by no means indicates that they originated at that time. Who knows what path of historical development the ancient Kyrgyz went through before their first appearance in written sources. Neither the time nor the place of their origin is known, and who they were at all?
“The Kyrgyz Tribe Named Itself Oghuz-Khan” The clan-tribal structure of the Kyrgyz of the right and left wings reveals many similarities with a similar division among the Oghuz. Rashid ad-Din provides the military division of all Oghuz into a right and left wing (which were also called Buzuk and Uchuk), with 12 tribes in each. Researchers evidently interpret the name — Uchuk, as deriving from the Turkic — uch — three, and — ok (uk) — arrow (another meaning — generation, subdivision, kin,
Mogol-Khan and His Children In general, medieval authors were often inclined to creatively process materials they knew from earlier sources, mixing them with various other reports and expressing their interpretations. For instance, Gardizi (11th century), based on information from an unknown work by Ibn Muqaffa (8th century) about the 'Eastern' Kyrgyz and data about the origin of the Kyrgyz from the Oghuz, provides his own interpretation, composing a legend about the origin of the
Ibrahim ibn Ahmed. This may refer to events related to the struggle of the great khan Ahmed, the head of the Eastern Karakhanids, against the Karakhanids in the first half of the 12th century, the creation of the Kyrgyz unions of the right — Ong and left — Sol wings, the defeat of the Karakhanids who invaded the territories of the Eastern Karakhanids, and his death. The great khan Ahmed defeated the Karakhanids in 1128. In 1127, according to the "Majmu' al-Tawarikh," he created
Writings of "Shajarat al-Atrak" In the anonymous work "Shajarat al-Atrak," which represents a reworking of the lost manuscript "Tarikh-i Arba-i Ulas," "usually attributed to Ulugh Beg," the following legend is recounted. "A thousand years after the death of Oghuz Khan, during the reign of Ilkhan ibn Tengiz Khan, Shah Afridun-Tur ibn Faridun, with numerous armies, set out for Maverranahr and Turkestan. At that time, Suyunch Khan, who was the eighth
Protoichkiliks and Arka These accounts may refer to the separation of a certain part of the tribes of the right wing of Arka (the combination of the right and left wings) and the formation of a separate group of Kyrgyz, which could later form the core of the clan-tribal group of the Kyrgyz people known as ichkilik. Perhaps they were also mentioned in the "Majmu at-tavarikh" as a group of tribes called Bul(a)gachi. Incidentally, according to the same accounts provided by B. Soltonoev,
Ichkiliki and Arkalyki. The name "Ichkiliki" may have originated from the ancient Turkic word "ichik" — gravitating (to the center) and the word "el" — people, community, i.e., ichik — el (il) — lik, ichikillik, ichkiliki — meaning — gravitating (to the center) (i.e., to the Kyrgyz of the right and left wing) people, el. However, "Ichkiliki" could also come from "ichik (ichki)" — internal, and the word "el" (il) — people, community,
Muhammad Haider refers to the Kyrgyz as "the forest (wild) lions of Moghulistan." It is likely that at this time the "Central Asian" Kyrgyz primarily inhabited the forested areas of the Tian Shan and the adjacent lands. The resettlement of the "Central Asian" Kyrgyz to the southwest, into the interior regions of Moghulistan, was accompanied to some extent by the subjugation of local tribes and clans. In the 16th century or later, a group of protoichiliks likely
Ulus Inga-Tyuri During military clashes, it appears that part of the "Central Asian" Kyrgyz from the right wing either migrated or was taken to the interior regions of Moghulistan and was evidently referred to as Mongols. The first mentions of them are found in written sources from the 15th century. In the "Zafarnama" (first half of the 15th century), Sharaf ad-Din Yazdi, in the account of "Timur's dispatch of troops against the Jete," these Kyrgyz were
Usy, Han-Hena, and Yilanzhou In the "Yuan-Shi," in relation to the land of the Kyrgyz, three regions are also mentioned: Usy, Han-Hena, and Yilanzhou. The region of Usy was located "to the east of the Kyrgyz and to the north of the Kyan River (Kem, Yenisei) and received its name from another river; it likely refers to the Us River. Even further east was the region of Han-Hena, where the Kem River flowed and from where two mountain passes led out; skis were used here in winter.
In 1123, the Chinese hermit Chan-Chun, while in the Altai region, "heard there that the country of Qian-Qian-zhu is located to the northwest, over 1000 li (about 500 versts) away." It does not matter what the aforementioned territory was called; what is important is that it refers to the northwestern part of Altai as belonging to the Kyrgyz. This information confirms the assertion that the western part of the Kyrgyz country extended to the Priirtyshye (the Ob-Irtysh interfluve). As
Kyrgyz Inhabitants of the Irtysh and Altai Regions? In this case, the area of "Kyrgyz" could have consisted of "Central Asian" and "Eastern" Kyrgyz, as well as other tribes and clans. Nevertheless, the "Central Asian" Kyrgyz likely occupied the western regions of the Kyrgyz country at that time. In "Si-shi-ji" (13th century), the Kyrgyz are already mentioned as inhabitants of the Irtysh and Altai regions. Obviously, these reports referred to
Rashid ad-Din on the "Kyrgyz Tribe" According to Rashid ad-Din's information about the "Kyrgyz tribe," it is stated in the "Collection of Chronicles" that "Kyrgyz and Këm-Këmjiut are two adjacent regions; both constitute one dominion (mamlakat). Këm-Këmjiut is a large river, one side of which borders the territory of the Mongols (Moghulistan), and one (its) boundary is with the Selenga River, where the Taichiut tribes reside; one side borders the (basin
Abul-Ghazi on the 12th Century Abul-Ghazi, in the chapter "On the People of China," writes: "There are two Chinas: one of them is called Kara-Kitai. Many families of the Kara-Kitai, for some reason, rebelled against their rulers and, fleeing from there, moved to the Kyrgyz Lands." He further writes: "Considering the local inhabitants as newcomers, they began to steal cattle from them, and therefore could not settle there, moving to the land of Idil (most likely
Ibrahim ibn Ahmed and Anal-Hakk Thus, the "progenitor" of the Kyrgyz ethnicity of the 12th century was evidently Ibrahim ibn Ahmed. Subsequently, he likely transformed into Anal-Hakk. According to the earliest reports, the progenitor of the Kyrgyz people was Anal-Hakk. Legends and traditions about this have survived to this day. The leader of the Kyrgyz right wing and, accordingly, the son of Anal-Hakk was Lur-khan. Only after him comes Ughuz-Kara-khan, who was at one time the head
The Basis of the “Great Campaign” in the Epic of “Manas” According to Ibn al-Asir (“Kitab alara-kitai kamil fit-tarikh”), in 1128, the Kara-Kitai invaded the territories of the Eastern Karakhanids, but they were defeated by the great khan Ahmed. After that, he died and his place was taken by Ibrahim, his son. The defeated parts of the Kara-Kitai, led by Yeluy Dashi, likely fled to Orkhon, where in the fortress of Khotun they gathered 20,000 veteran warriors, replenishing their numbers with
The Last Eastern Karakhanid Khans. According to the information from "Majmu at-Tawarikh," Imam Ibrahim ibn Ahmed can be identified with the supreme khan of the Eastern Karakhanids, Ibrahim ibn Ahmed, although in the image of Imam Ibrahim ibn Ahmed, one can also see certain traits that would be characteristic of the father of the aforementioned supreme khan of the Eastern Karakhanids, the great khan Ahmed. The time of the reign of the head of the Eastern Karakhanids, Ibrahim ibn
Legends. In the first half of the 12th century, it is likely that the "Karakhanid" Kyrgyz reunited with the aforementioned "Pre-Irtysh" Kyrgyz (who already inhabited the Tian Shan) into a single ethnic community. This could represent a union of the tribes of the right wing (Ong-kanat) and the left wing (Sol-kanat). The right wing could have been composed of the "Karakhanid" Kyrgyz (Kara-Kyrgyz), which may have also included some tribes from among the Karakhanid
«Priirtysh» Kyrgyz. In "Taba al-khayvan," Marwazi (12th century), in the section about Turkic tribes, it is stated: "Among them (the Turks) are also the Kyrgyz: a numerous people living between the summer east and the north; the Kimaks live in the north, while the Yagma and Karluks are on the western borders (of these) Kyrgyz, whereas Kucha and Ark are located on the southwestern borders (of these) Kyrgyz. The Kyrgyz usually burned the bodies of the deceased, believing that fire
Balasagun One of the capitals of the Karakhanid state was the city of Balasagun, located in the Chui Valley. The question of the origin and semantics of the name of this city is one of the complex and very interesting topics. According to Mahmud of Kashgar (11th century), the term "sagun" was used among the Karluks, which was a title for noble people. It is known that among the ancient Turks, the word "balyk" (balyg) meant city, capital, residence, "as the Turks called
“Descendants of Afrasiab” and Ilek-khans In the surviving Eastern written sources, the Karakhanid dynasty is also referred to as the “descendants (or clans) of Afrasiab.” According to Iranian beliefs, the mythical king of Turan (the land of the Turks) was Afrasiab. Therefore, the Samanids could refer to the population of the “Talas” biilik (domain) and the dynasty that headed it in this way. After all, the proto-Karakhanids were in close relations with the Samanid state, and thus, even at that
Turkic Beilik In the work "Hudud al-'alam," the word "Turk" appears as the name of a tribe or some ethnic community. It is quite possible that here we encounter a mention of the proto-Qarakhanids, which, in turn, may support the idea that the population of the "Talas" beilik (domain) already referred to themselves with the term "Turk." This domain can also be referred to as the "Turkic" beilik. Incidentally, in one place in "Hudud
Chigili. Chinese sources from the mid-7th century, as part of the Karluk union, mention certain — zhisi, who lived between the Tashlaks and Bulats, reaching the desert areas of Dzungaria in the south. If the reconstruction of zhisi as — chigili is correct, then the chigili mentioned in medieval sources in the regions of Ili and Northern Preissykul could have been them. Perhaps later, a group of these chigili could have migrated to the Taraz area and lived in a city that might have derived its
The Mystery of Chon-Tash. In the summer of '91, in the suburbs of the capital of Kyrgyzstan – Bishkek, near the village of Chon-Tash, a mass grave of human remains was discovered. A series of articles about the mysteries of the Chon-Tash area (translated from Kyrgyz as Big Stone), published in the republican newspaper “Slovo Kyrgyzstana,” sparked widespread public interest. The residents of the republic finally learned the truth about the tragic fate of their fathers, husbands, brothers,
Turks - Chigili in the "Shahnameh"
The Karakhanid Kingdom
"Hudud al-Aalam" about the "Priirtysh" Kyrgyz
“Hudud al-Alam” on the Kyrgyz
Kyrgyz Ail of Past Centuries The Kokand fortresses, even large ones like Pishpek, could not serve as a base for the formation of settled settlements, as they were perceived by the Kyrgyz as a symbol of khan's oppression and were destroyed during Kyrgyz uprisings. However, even in the surviving fortresses, from which the Kokand conquerors were expelled, the Kyrgyz did not settle and avoided them in every way, as they reminded them of the cruel khan's arbitrariness. In the southern
Valikhanov mentioned in his works the gumbaz of a Kyrgyz manap Nogai from the Bughu clan. In the following year, 1857, this gumbaz was visited by P. P. Semenov-Tyan-Shansky, who left a vivid description of it: “Having ascended to Tasm, we saw the beautiful grave of the heroic batyr named Nogai, who died at this place in 1842. This monument, crafted by the best masters from Kashgar, cost the Nogai family quite a lot: they paid for it two yambs in silver, two camels, five horses, and 300 sheep.”
During the expeditionary work, excavations were carried out at a collapsed gumbaz — Niyazbek in Chon-Kemin, where the Russian traveler M. I. Venyukov once stayed.
Kyrgyz Fortresses Archaeological studies of the Kokand fortresses and archival sources now allow us to speak with confidence about the existence of Kyrgyz fortresses. For a long time, this information, especially from archival sources, did not attract the attention of historians. It was somehow taken for granted that nomads, who did not have a stable settlement, could not have their own fortresses.
There is particularly much information in the literature about the Kokand Fortress Kurtka, which is associated with events of the 1930s, when the Kyrgyz people began a national liberation struggle against the Kokand colonizers. It was led by the Kyrgyz hero Taylak.
In the lifespan of a single generation, a path has been traversed that is equal to centuries; a society has been built that people have dreamed of for millennia, for which the best representatives of all generations gave their lives. Even in the drawings of Saymaly-Tash, which have reached our time, ancient people tried to comprehend their existence, their calling, their aspirations. This indicates that it is in the nature of every person, both modern and primitive, to strive to know the past,
Names That Became Historical Heritage As is known, the more we do for the good of our country, the more closely the circumstances of our lives intertwine with its fate. What can be said about those whose names have become part of history, such as the name Kurmandzhan Datka... If we analyze it, the most important political decisions of the Alay queen expressed the essence of many deep aspirations of the Kyrgyz people. It is impossible to fully understand their logic without tracing the stages
Kurmandzhan Datka - The Ruler of Alai A wise politician, the ruler of a vast mountainous region, a truly unique phenomenon in the Islamic world of the 19th century. Most historians rightly consider this figure to be a national representative of the aspirations and ideas of her time.
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