This work by Abu-l-Ghazi (1603—1664) is based on legends about the genealogy of tribes and the works of predecessors.
Shah-Mahmud Churas. Chronicle. Critical text, translation, comments, research, and indexes by O. F. Akimushkin. Moscow, 1976
There is very little information about Shah-Mahmud. He was born in the 1620s into a noble family of the Churas clan and died in the late 17th century. He received a good education and was proficient in Arabic and Persian. His work "Chronicle" was written in Tajik between 1673 and 1676 and is a valuable source for the late medieval history of Eastern Turkestan. It consists of two parts. The first part contains information from "Tarikh-i Rashidi" by Muhammad Khanda, which does not present significant scientific interest. The second, original part is based on the author's personal observations, information from witnesses, participants in the described events, and oral traditions. The "Chronicle" is a primary source on the history of the Mughal state in the second half of the 16th to 17th centuries. At the same time, it contains original information on the history of neighboring lands and peoples: the Kyrgyz, Oirat-Kalmyks, Uzbeks, and Kazakhs. Below are excerpts about the Kyrgyz.
Translation from Persian
Text: A narrative about the outcome of the affair of "Abd al-Latif Sultan" and the campaign of "Abd ar-Rashid Khan" to avenge the blood of his beloved son Abd al-Latif Sultan.
When the khan's state was consolidated, Abd al-Latif Sultan settled in Aksu. At the same time, the khan's son was a brave and courageous man, and he properly kept Moghulistan under control, so that the Cossacks and Kyrgyz could not remain in Moghulistan. Eventually, Abd al-Latif Sultan attacked the Cossack Khan Hakk-Nazar; they (the troops) captured a large number of prisoners and abundant loot.
Hakk-Nazar Khan, gathering the Cossacks and Kyrgyz, set out to pursue them. The Sultan, not caring about the enemy, indulged in merriment and pleasures. Hakk-Nazar Khan, along with six other princes, caught up with the Sultan. Takhtamish-Yiruk, who came from the Balikchi tribe, had previously gone to the rear guard. He spotted the enemy but, without warning the Sultan, fled. The Cossack and Kyrgyz troops suddenly attacked the Sultan's camp at night and defeated his army. The mortally wounded Sultan was taken to Hakk-Nazar Khan. Hakk-Nazar Khan honored him with (appropriate) respect. Abd al-Latif Sultan consented to move from this mortal world to the heavenly meadows of eternity.
Pursuing the enemy, the troops (of Abd ar-Rashid Khan — O. K-) traveled for three months and caught up with Hakk-Nazar Khan in Emile. Hakk-Nazar Khan, the other princes, and the Kyrgyz fortified themselves in a difficult-to-access place. The siege dragged on. One day, the khan... led his horse ahead of all.
All the troops simultaneously urged their horses and, with all their might, defeated Hakk-Nazar Khan. Captured Hakk-Nazar Khan and the other princes were killed, and the Kyrgyz emirs were also taken prisoner. But Abd ar-Rashid Khan inflicted a great defeat on the army of the Shiban Cossacks and Kyrgyz, and the results of this victory are felt to this day.
Comments and notes
1 Abd al-Latif Sultan — the elder son of Abd ar-Rashid Khan, son of Sultan-Said Khan, the founder of the Mughal state in Eastern Turkestan. Abd al-Latif was the hakim of the city of Aksu during his father's lifetime.
2 Abd ar-Rashid Khan (939—967/1514—1560), like his father Sultan-Said Khan (920—939/1514—1533), organized a number of campaigns north of Kashgar to subjugate Moghulistan, but they ended in plundering that region.
3 This report by Shah-Mahmud does not correspond to historical reality. Abd al-Latif organized five campaigns north of Aksu and returned with plundered wealth.
4 Hakk-Nazar Khan, son of Qasim Khan, inherited from his father around 930/1517—18.
5 Balikni (balikchi) — judging by the ethnonym, a Turkic tribe. Due to the death of his son, Abd ar-Rashid Khan severely punished the Balikchi tribe. The Kazakh scholar V. P. Yudin lists among the tribes in the composition of the Kyrgyz those clearly Mughal and common with Mughal elements, including the Balikchi.
6 Regarding the cause of his death, Mahmud ibn Wali reports: "Abd al-Latif Sultan attacked the Kazakhs and Kalmyks from Aksu and scattered the property and livestock of the people in a whirlwind of plunder and devastation. Since these (his) actions crossed all boundaries, the Kazakhs and Kyrgyz came to a mutual agreement..." (Shah-Mahmud Churas. Reference, p. 264. Note 51).
7 Emile — the name of a river flowing into Lake Ala-Kul, and the valley at its lower reaches.
8 Other authors also write about this campaign of Abd ar-Rashid against Hakk-Nazar Khan: according to Mahmud ibn Wali, Abd ar-Rashid Khan, upon receiving news of his son's death, hastily set out against the Kazakh Khan Bui-lash in the Issyk-Kul basin, who fled.
Rashid Khan pursued him for 20 days and finally caught up with Bui-lash Khan, decisively defeating the Kyrgyz and Kazakhs; an anonymous author of the "History of Kashgaria" recounts that Rashid Khan defeated the Kyrgyz and Kazakhs in the Artysh area, their leader Hakk-Nazar Khan was killed in captivity; according to Tazkireip, Khoja Muhammad Sharif Rashid Khan caught up with the Kyrgyz at Issyk-Kul and defeated them after twenty days of battles; a contemporary of these events, Muhammad Haider, also reports on Rashid Khan's victory over the Kyrgyz and Kazakhs (Shah-Mahmud Churas, p. 266. Note 58). Interestingly, according to Shah-Mahmud's account, captured Hakk-Nazar Khan and all Kazakh princes were killed, while the Kyrgyz emirs remained alive. For some unknown reasons, they seem to have been forgiven and released.
(Narrative) explaining some circumstances of Timur Sultan, whose name is Ziya ad-Din Ahmad Sultan.
He is the elder son of Shuja ad-Din Ahmad Khan and was in Aksu when the Kyrgyz, having heard of the death of Muhammad Khan, gathered (numbering) five thousand people, appointed Tilak-biy and Bai-Bute-Kara as leaders, moved towards Aksu, and engaged in plundering and robbery.
Mirza Hashim Bayrin, taking the Sultan, set out against the Kyrgyz. Mirza Hashim Churas was the hakim of Ucha. They sent a man to him (to say) that he should delay the Kyrgyz with the troops of Ucha. He acted according to the order. The Sultan and Mirza Hashim caught up with the Kyrgyz. Tilak with two thousand men hid in one place, while Bai-Bute-Kara with three thousand unfortunate Kyrgyz, obstinately stood against them. Mirza Hashim-bek called upon the brave men of Aksu to battle, and the matter ended in a fight. At that moment, Mirza Hashim Churas, with the heroes from Ucha, attacked the Kyrgyz from the rear. The defeat fell upon Bute-Kara. Almost two thousand people were killed. The remaining (alive) Kyrgyz reluctantly hung their quivers around their necks and appeared before the Sultan. Tilak-biy also came to pay homage to the Sultan with numerous gifts, after which he said: "We have sinned because His Majesty Muhammad Khan has left this world. When we heard (this), we decided — perhaps we could plunder something. Otherwise, would we have dared such audacity!" The Sultan forgave them all their transgressions and allowed them to leave, for the Sultan also did not know about the death of his noble grandfather. Hearing (the news) from Tilak-biy, he donned mourning and returned to Aksu.
Narrative about how Mirza Ali-Shir met his martyr's end at the hands of the Kyrgyz.
When the Kyrgyz ravaged the village of Shahnaz, Abd al-Latif Khan sent Gazi-bek, Mirza Ali-Shir, Uruz Khoja, Mirza Abd ar-Rahman Urdabigi, Lutf-Ali Bakhshi, Mirza Muhammad-Khoja, and Nur-Muhammad-Khoja — son of Husayn Shah, may God's mercy be upon him, to raid the Kyrgyz steeped in filth. When the emirs caught up with the Kyrgyz, the Kyrgyz warriors had already set an ambush. Mirza Ali-Shir stopped. Lutf-Ali Bakhshi, who was from the Khan's inner circle, threw him scornful words and charged the enemy. Mirza Ali-Shir also moved forward. Disagreements arose among the emirs at the moment when Gazi-bek had not yet approached. Those Kyrgyz who had set the ambush struck at the army; Mirza Ali-Shir immediately dismounted, while Lutf-Ali, setting an example for the people, fled from the Kyrgyz. Mirza Ali-Shir was defeated; about seventy men were killed, some of them (the Kyrgyz) were divided. Gazi-bek hid somewhere and escaped. Some of the warriors joined Gazi-bek, and he appeared before the Khan defeated due to Lutf-Ali's cowardice.
Comments and notes
9 Timur Sultan was the governor in Aksu under Muhammad Khan and under his father — Kashgar. He died in 1023/1614—15.
10 Ahmad Khan (1918—1028/1609—1619) — son, successor of Muhammad Khan.
11 Muhammad Khan (999—1018/1590—1610) — the sixth son of Abd ar-Rashid Khan.
12 This act is also mentioned by Mahmud ibn Wali. According to his account, the Kyrgyz numbering 3000 under the leader of the ulus Tilak (Tilike) attacked Ucha and plundered its inhabitants. Timur Sultan caught up with them near the Yangi-Art pass, killed a thousand men, captured two hundred enemy warriors, and freed the captives from Ucha (Shah-Mahmud Churas. p. 219. Note 171). Of great scientific interest is Mahmud ibn Wali's report that in the early 17th century, the Kyrgyz had their independent ulus (possession) led by Tilak-biy, located north of the cities of Aksu and Ucha (Uch-Turfana).
13 Mirza Ali-Shir — a court nobleman of Abd al-Latif Khan.
14 Shahnaz — a river or canal 40—50 km southeast of Yangihisar, as well as the name of a valley, mountain range, and pass on the way from Kashgar southwest to Badakhshan. O. F. Akimushkin doubted that the incursions of Kyrgyz detachments were so far into the southwestern regions of Kashgar (Shah-Mahmud Churas. p. 304. Note 232). In his opinion, these Kyrgyz detachments came from Central Tianshan.
In contrast, in the first third (especially in the second half) of the 17th century, the Kyrgyz penetrated into the steppe and foothill areas of Western Kashgaria. O. F. Akimushkin himself writes about their penetration into the Tarim Basin by the end of the 1620s. Elsewhere, he asserts that in the 30s of the 17th century, the Kyrgyz settled around Kashgar, south of it to Yangihisar (Shah-Mahmud Churas. p. 130, 132). During Abdallah's campaign on Osh (see below) through the Shart pass, the Kyrgyz tribes Chon-Bagysh and Kypchak are mentioned as having long settled in Alai. Therefore, Abd al-Latif Khan could have organized a raid (as per Shah-Mahmud Churas) against the Kyrgyz settled in the areas south of Yangihisar.
15 Abd al-Latif Khan (1028—1037/1618—1628) was the son and successor of Ahmad Khan.
16 Gazi-bek — hakim of Yarkand, led a punitive detachment sent by Abd al-Latif Khan against the Kyrgyz.
17 The author of "Anis at-Talibin" writes that together with Mirza Ali-Shir, the son of the actual leader of the black mountain people Sheikh Shutur-Khalifa Nur-Muhammad-Khoja perished (Shah-Mahmud Churas. p. 304. Note 233).
Narrative about the campaign of Abdallah Khan against the fortified settlement of Osh, about the Khan's capture of Osh, his return by another route, the campaign of the emirs following the Khan, and the defeat they suffered from the Kyrgyz.
The Kyrgyz, who were lurking to pursue him, did not catch him, but Chonkan Kushchi caught up with the Khan in (the area of) Kaplan-Kulkol and engaged in battle. The emirs of the right wing, which in Mongolian is called Barangar, entered into combat with Chonkan. Also, the emirs-commanders, such as Shah-bek, Fulad-bek, and this Fulad-bek was from the lineage of Maulana Arshad ad-Din, may his secret be sanctified, and the Mongolian faith (was broken) by this Maulana — the possessor of perfections, Shahbaz-bek, Mirza Shah-Muhammad-bek with his brother Mirza Fazil, Mirza Muhammad-Amin-bek, Mirza Tulak-bek, and such nobles as Mir Abdallah-Khodja, Kazin Badi az-Zaman-Khodja, Sarig-Khodja, and Mirza Shah-Muhammad-bek were wounded (during the battle). Chonkan turned back. The Kyrgyz emirs were already gathered. When Chonkan returned, they joined him. The (Khan's) emirs approached with the army from Aksu, Ucha, and Baya, which numbered about two thousand men. Kazi Shah-Khodja — hakim of Aksu, Abd al-Kahhar-bek — hakim of Kusana, Mirza Kuchik-bek — hakim of Ucha, Mirza Khadji-bek, who was given the position of hakim of Kulfin and Yangihisar and was awarded a banner, Khan-Kuli-bek — hakim of Baya, and Khoja Muhammad Zakir — kazin of Ucha and Aksu — had a prepared army. But by the will of providence, disagreements arose among the emirs. The Kyrgyz stood against the emirs, and they fought for five days and nights.
In the end, the army of Islam suffered defeat, and the Kyrgyz emerged victorious. Kazi Shah-Khodja and Khan-Kuli-bek were captured, Mirza Kuchik-bek and Abd al-Kahhar-bek were killed. Mirza Khadji-bek, Kazi Muhammad-Zakir-Khodja, Mirza Shakir-bek, and Khoja Manak Sagrichi with (a detachment) of approximately one hundred fifty men escaped alive from this deadly abyss, while the rest the Kyrgyz sent to the vilayet of non-existence. The Kyrgyz emirs freed Khan-Kuli-bek. Khan-Kuli came and reported to the Khan about the defeat of the army and that Kazin Shah-Khodja had been captured, and that such-and-such had been killed. Mirza Khadji-bek, Mirza Shakir-bek, Kazi Muhammad-Zakir-Khodja Manak, fleeing from the Kyrgyz, ascended into the mountains. The Kyrgyz heroes caught up with them. They, engaging in battle with the Kyrgyz, saved themselves; in Sarig-Yazi they descended (from the mountains) and came to Kashgar.
A year later, the Khan led troops against the Kyrgyz Koysary — son of Tilak-biy and Iul-Boldy came to Aksai and (there) fought. That campaign was called the Aksai campaign.
Comments and notes
18 Abdallah Khan (1048—1078/1638—1668), the first son of Abd ar-Rahim Khan, son of Abd ar-Rashid. He managed to unite the country that had been divided into two independent possessions — in the territory of Eastern and Western Turkestan.
19 Sarig-Yazi (Sary-Jaz) — the name of a locality or valley in Alai. As can be seen from the text, Shah-Mahmud Abdallah took Osh without resistance, plundered it, and was returning to his place. But on the way, the Mughal warriors following the Khan were attacked by the Kyrgyz led by Chonkan, and from Abdallah's two-thousand-strong detachment, only 150 people barely escaped. In response to this, the Khan organized a punitive expedition against the Aksai Kyrgyz a year later.
20 Regarding Tilak-biy, see above.
21 Aksai — a river and valley in Central Tianshan.
Narrative about how Abdallah Khan exiled his brothers — Ibrahim Sultan and His Majesty Ismail Khan.
So it is told. The Khan, having passed the Bugach pass, camped in Aksu. One morning, the Khan saddled his horse and set out, leaving the emirs in Kadar. Among those who remained in Kadar were such notable emirs as Shah-Mansur-bek, Shah-bek, Fulad-bek, Mirza Shahid-bek, his brother Mirza Fazil-bek, Mirza Muhammad-Amin-bek, his brother Tulak-bek, Mirza Ismail-bek, Mirza Khadji-bek, Babak-bek, Mirza Abd ar-Rahman-bek, Mirza Kuli-bek, Khan-Kuli-bek, Muhammad-Abdallah Mirza and Hasan-Khodja, when news came of the approach of the Kyrgyz.
The emirs, coming to a common decision, blocked their way, and a stubborn battle and fierce fighting ensued. The Kyrgyz prevailed. The emirs fled towards the Khan. (In the battle) Muhammad-Abdallah Mirab, Mirza Muhammad-Amin Urdabigi, and Hasan-Khodja perished. The emirs joined the Khan. Despite the fact that Yulbars Khan was appointed emir of Kashgar, he did nothing. Then Mirza Shahbaz-bek, who was his Atalyk, arranged the troops of the right wing in battle order and engaged in combat. On the left wing, Ibrahim Sultan, who governed (the principality) of Hojan, lined up (his) equipped troops and moved against the Kyrgyz, driving them into flight. Ibrahim Sultan was a prince brave, courageous, and of handsome appearance. It was he who rescued the Khan from the Kyrgyz when they were pressing the Khan hard.
Khoja Muhammad-Yahya, may God's mercy and favor be upon him, accompanied the Khan on that campaign. People of low and noble birth, small and great alike, witnessed the miracles performed by the Khoja. One of them is as follows: at the very moment when the Kyrgyz gained the upper hand, he dismounted and fell into a contemplative state. After which the glorious heroes overcame the Kyrgyz.
Narrative about how Abdallah Khan led troops against Andijan a second time, and how he returned without achieving his goal.
It is reported that as soon as (Abdallah) Khan returned from Andijan, the residents of Andijan resumed their activities, so the Khan equipped an army a second time and, taking all the Kyrgyz and Moghuls with him, set out on a campaign. (On the way) Yulbars Khan joined him with the Kashgar army and Satim-bika — hakim of Yangihisar, with the militia of that city. Having crossed the Shart pass, the Khan camped in Kallyk and ordered a detachment to raid Lailik. Bute-Kara was in that area. People (from the tribe) Chon-Bagysh (and) Kypchak killed him, and (also) plundered and robbed the people of Buge-Kara. Some of them escaped.
Comments and notes
22 Bugach — a pass somewhere between Naryn and Aksu.
23 Interestingly, in the cities and districts of Eastern Turkestan, there was a position of Mirab, who oversaw irrigation systems.
24 Urdabigi (ordabegi) — apparently, a local Turkic tribe. Their emirs played an active role after the formation of the state of Sultan-Said Khan. They elevated Sultan-Ahmed Khan to the throne of Yarkand (Shah-Mahmud Churas. p. 206).
25 Initially, Moghulistan had a two-part (right and left flank) division of troops, and from 1425, a three-part division appeared, borrowed from Timur.
26 Ibrahim Sultan — younger brother of Abdallah Khan.
27 The Black Mountain Khoja Muhammad Yahya, known as Khoja Shadi (died around 1055/1645—46), actively participated in the political life of the country.
28 The population of the eastern part of the Chagatai ulus (i.e., the territory east of the middle course of the Syr-Darya, Fergana, to the Turfan oasis) called themselves Moghuls or Moghols; by the 16th century, the ethnonym Moghul became a collective name for the entire population of the state of Moghulistan, and in the next century — for part of the population of Eastern Turkestan.
29 Yulbars Khan — son of Abdallah Khan, his governor in Kashgar.
30 After the failed attempt of the Mughal beks and emirs to persuade him to voluntarily renounce the throne in favor of Yulbars Khan, Abdallah Khan appointed many Kyrgyz emirs-leaders to various positions, including Satim-bika (Satim-biy) as hakim of Yangihisar. The latter was subsequently killed by order of Abdallah Khan along with other Kyrgyz beys and emirs (Shah-Mahmud Churas. p. 223).
31 Nallyk, Lailik — names of localities on the way from Kashgar to Osh, somewhere in the Alai valley.
32 Bute-Kara (Bai-Bute-Kara) — one of the Kyrgyz beys, who together with Tilak-biy (see above note 12) raided Aksu in connection with the death of Muhammad Khan.
33 Chon-bagysh and Kypchak — Kyrgyz tribes, later Abdallah subjected them to slaughter (see below).
Narrative about how Abdallah Khan ordered the slaughter of the Kyrgyz people.
The state was consolidated, yet the Kyrgyz emirs did not calm down. Mirza-bek Ulchaki fled from the Khan's service. In Satim-biy, who was the hakim of Yangihisar, doubts arose, and he was brought to Yarkand. The administration of Yangihisar was granted to Kara-Kuchuk, who also fled and went to Andijan. The Khan summoned the emirs and held a council, and all agreed to slaughter the Kyrgyz. The Bulghachi tribe was divided into several parts, and each part was entrusted to a military detachment. After some time, they received an order to kill them all. Immediately, a general massacre was carried out. Untami-shu was entrusted to Satim (-biy), he killed (him). Karakchi was given to Ayub-bek. Karakchi figured it out, saddled the beks' horses, and fled. To assist Ayub-bek, people were assigned. Pursuing (Karakchi), he took with him people from (the tribe) Tatars and Bayrin. Karakchi turned back and fought.
Killing such (men) as Mutalib-Khodja, son of Ayub-bek, Shah-Mahmud-Shah, Khodja Habib, Muhammad-Berdy Bayrin, Painde Kazi, and others, he saved himself. He also killed Ayub-bek. The other troops were in confusion. Allahyar — son of Satim-biy fled. Shahbaz-bek with a group of people, setting off in pursuit, caught up with him. A fierce skirmish occurred, and the emir's steeds, under saddles woven with gold and adorned with jewels, fell to the Kyrgyz. Shahbaz-bek, showing courage, dismounted, continued to fight, and brought the army to the Khan in full order. Then Tavakkuli-biy and Nurtaylak, leaders (of the tribes) Chon-Bagysh and Kypchak, sat in Katlish, the inhabitants came out of the city and, surrounding them, engaged in battle. (In that battle) Akine Khazanachi fell. In the end, they captured Tavakkuli-biy and Nurtaylak with all their tribe.
In short, (the Khan's people) slaughtered almost ten thousand people. The Kyrgyz were called wild lions of Moghulistan, but at the same time they were unstable, quarrelsome, and treacherous. After two years, because Uytamish-bek slandered the Kyrgyz, Kepak-bek, Idris-bek, Khushai-Mirza, Jalma-bek, and some others left. A few days later, they sent Jalma-bek to the Khan. Jalma-bek came and laid all the blame on Uytamish. Then (the Khan) summoned Kepak-bek, Idris-bek with his companions and treated them kindly.
Narrative about some circumstances of Yulbars Khan, his rebellion against his noble father, the outcome of the affair of Ubaidalah Sultan and the killing of the emirs.
Among the Kyrgyz and Kalmyks, whom they call Karayan-chuk, he (Yulbars) also exacted many, such as Dule-bek, Tuyji-bek, Turumtay-bek, Keseck-bek, Sultan-Kuli-bek, Karmishak-bek, and others. When Yakub-bek and Rafi-bek left this world, Shahbaz-bek died from an old wound, and he made Dule-bek (his) Atalyk and hakim of Kashgar, the Karayan-chuks gained great power. Noble people endured grievances, but malice and disobedience settled in their minds. Just at that time, Abdallah Khan and Nur ad-Din Khan fled from Eldan-Tayshi. Dule, Turumtay, Tashlan, Keseck, Sultan-Kuli, and some others among these people made a pact and agreement: "Let us rise against Yulbars Khan and take the side of Ochirtu Khan, for after this (defeat) the Kalmyks will seize this state." Having said this, they appeared in Migar on the bank of the Tumena. But some of them did not come, and first of all Dule-bek, who was from the elite part of that people. (As a result) they all returned to their native places. Turumtay-bek was a rich and wealthy man. He built a tomb and hid valuable property, expensive fabrics, and jewels inside two graves. His intention was as follows: "If we go to the Kalmyks ourselves, it is difficult to carry (the property) with us. When I return, then I will take it."
In short, Salim Tugbigi informed Shah-Bek Bikchik about the deeds and words of the Karayan-chuks. He passed it on to (Yulbars) Khan. The Khan became alarmed and sent a man to Abdallah Khan. Abdallah Khan suggested to his son a way to resolve this difficult matter. Yulbars Khan, declaring Turumtay and Dule guilty (of treason), released their property to plunder and entrusted them to Mirza Sultan-yar and Mir Khalil-Shah. During the investigation, Turumtay's property appeared from the graves. The Khan became extremely angry and ordered both to be executed.
Comments and notes
34 By the end of Abdallah Khan's reign, many important administrative positions were held by Kyrgyz beys and tribal leaders. For example, Idris-bek was appointed Bakavul (the occupation of this official is unknown), and later hakim of Kargalyk, Khushai-bek was the esavul (performed various assignments) of the army's center, Kepak-bek was the esavul under the senior emir of the left wing, etc. At the same time, the Khan, fearing the excessive strengthening of the Kyrgyz nobility, twice ordered the destruction of the most influential among them. This excerpt speaks of the slaughter of the Bulghachi tribe, settled north of Yangihisar, and its leaders.
35 Regarding Satim-biy, see note 30.
36 Bulghachi is identified with the Mongolian tribe Bulghachin, which lived in the Bargudzhin-Tokum area, east of the Yenisei Kyrgyz (Petrov K. I. Essays on the origin of the Kyrgyz people. 1963. p. 60—69). S. M. Abramzon questions their ethnic connection (Abramzon S. M. Kyrgyz population of Xinjiang... TKAEE. Vol. 2. 1959. p. 37). In the second half of the 14th century, the Bulghachi tribe roamed in the territory somewhere between Yulduz and Emile. Their emirs actively participated in the political life of Moghulistan. Remnants of the Bulghachi in the clan-tribal structure of the Kyrgyz are found under the name Bulghachi-Naiman in southern Kyrgyzstan.
37 Tatars — a Mongolic-speaking tribe. They participated in the slaughter of Kyrgyz fleeing from Yarkand.
38 Bayrin (baaryn) — a Turkified Mongolian tribe. They migrated from Mongolia to the Chagatai ulus after Genghis Khan divided the conquered lands among his sons. The emirs of the Bayrin actively participated in the political life of Moghulistan. For example, they supported the candidacy of the eldest son of Weyye Khan Yunus for the throne. Most of them lived in Semirechye. Shah-Mahmud Churas mentioned them in Kashgar, Yarkand, and Bardzhuk (Barchuk). Undoubtedly, most of the Bayrin moved from Semirechye and Tianshan to Eastern Turkestan. In the 16th century, in the clan structure of the Kyrgyz, the Bayrin are found among the Tagai branch, their tamga was "bosogo" (door frame).
39 This slaughter of the Kyrgyz is also reported by the author of the work "History of Kashgaria": Having recalled Satim-biy from Yangihisar along with some Kyrgyz, he (Abdallah Khan) appointed Kara-Kuchuk-biy as hakim of Yangihisar. (However) Kara-Kuchuk-biy fled from Yangihisar. Since the Kyrgyz harbored evil intentions against the Khan, some Kyrgyz led by Satim, Naimans, Kypchaks, Kangly, and others were distributed (some) in Narkand and Kashgar, and some in Aksu and Hotan, and (there) they settled. Satim-biy was entrusted to Utemish-bek, Kara-Kchi-biy to Ayub-bek, (all) Kyrgyz led by Satim-biy were entrusted to (a specific) detachment. Kara-Kchi, having learned (about this), fled. Ayub-bek, Shah-Mahmud-Shah, and his son Mutallib-Khodja set out to pursue them..." (Shah-Mahmud Churas. p. 311—312. Note 392).
40 Shah-Mahmud Churas borrowed this news from "Tarikh-i Rashidi" by Muhammad Haider.
41 Ubaidalah Sultan — son of Yulbars Khan. Abdallah Khan appointed him hakim of Hotan, and then ordered his execution due to Yulbars Khan's rebellion against his father.
42 Karayan-chuk — this was the name given to all the population of Moghulistan, except for the Moghuls (Moghols).
43 All of them are Kyrgyz beys and tribal leaders.
44 Nur ad-Din — the second son of Abdallah.
45 Eldan-Tayshi — one of the leaders of the Oirat-Kalmyks, he actively intervened in the internal life of Eastern Turkestan, driven by personal interests.
46 Ochirtu-Tsenen Khan (1640—1677) — one of the leaders of the western Mongols, killed by his brother Galdan.
47 The river Tumena, on the right bank of which stood the city of Kashgar, was called part of the river from the village of Suluk to its confluence with the river Kyzyl-su (Shah-Mahmud Churas. p. 318. Note 330).
48 Bikchik (bekchik) — a Turkic tribe. Their emirs contested the right to go with the leaders of the Churas ahead of others in hunting and military campaigns of the rulers of Eastern Turkestan.
Narrative about the death of Nur ad-Din since the time of his reign and the duration of his life.
Moreover, the Kyrgyz in Kashgar and Aksu about every person with whom they had a quarrel, whether over a flatbread or something else, would say to the Khan (i.e., Nur ad-Din): "So-and-so should be killed." And the Khan would reply: "Kill him, and I will give you his property." Therefore, in the state, wealthy people became rare, most of them were killed.
Narrative about Abdallah Khan's departure from the possession of Yarkand and the events that occurred at that time.
The details of this event are as follows. When Nur ad-Din Sultan said goodbye to this mortal world, the Khan entrusted the possession to Mirza Tulak Churas, who was the hakim of Kashgar. He also died. The Khan appointed Koysary in his place, (and thus) the Chon-Bagysh clan settled in Kashgar, where Apak-bek and some people from (the clan) Kypchak held influence. Between these people, (the clan) Chon-Bagysh and the inhabitants of Kashgar, a deep enmity arose, in turn. Moreover, Yulbars Khan, with the support of Ochirtu, attacked the possessions of Kashgar. Since the Kashgar emirs were at odds with each other, the residents of Artudja and Argu came out to meet Yulbars Khan. Yulbars Khan, having gained some strength, approached the walls of the Kashgar fortress. Mirza Sultan-Ali, fearing retribution from Koysary, defected to Yulbars Khan, and the discord intensified. Yulbars Khan, having lost hope of taking Kashgar, went back. Those who defected to Yulbars Khan also left (with him).
Out of fear in the nature of (Abdallah) Khan, deep changes occurred. At that time, Khoja-Kuli Mirahur arrived from Kusana and reported to the Khan about the words and deeds of Khoja Yara Kypchak, who was the hakim of Kusana. The Khan's fear increased, and he plotted to flee. Then news came from Kashgar that Yulbars Khan had gone back, and Sultan-Kuli-bek was killed. The Khan, however, did not believe it and began preparing for a pilgrimage to Mecca. Babak-bek urged the Khan to leave. (One day) Haidar bek addressed the Khan: "To a sovereign of such high dignity as you are, it is unbecoming to flee from the fortunate son." However, this did not bring any benefit. By that time, mostly Kyrgyz were with the Khan, but the Khan (already) trusted no one.
In short, he sent a Kyrgyz army numbering about two thousand men in pursuit of Yulbars Khan. As soon as the Kyrgyz emirs set out, the Khan, taking his servants and close ones, headed for Hindustan.
Comments and notes
49 Nur ad-Din, after the flight of his elder brother Yulbars Khan to the Kalmyks, became hakim of Kashgar, Aksu, and Kucha instead of him.
50 Nur ad-Din died around 1667.
51 In his Aksai campaign, Abdallah Khan (see above note 19) defeated the detachments of Koysapa — son of Tilak-biy and another Kyrgyz bey — Iol-Boldy. Apparently, from that time (i.e., by the end of 1640) they entered the service of Abdallah Khan.
52 Kypchaks (Kypchak) — a Turkic tribe. Before the invasion of Genghis Khan on Central Asia, part of them lived in Semirechye. In the 18th century, they were one of the clans of the Kyrgyz in Eastern Turkestan. In the ethnic composition of the latter, there is a Kypchak tribe.
53 Artudj is now called Artysh. Upper Artysh is located about 35 km northwest of Kashgar, and to the northeast of Kashgar (about 45 km) is Lower Artysh, where, according to legend, lies the grave of the founder of the Karakhanid Kaganate Satuk Abd al-Kerim Karakhan (Shah-Mahmud Churas. p. 318. Note 336).
54 Kusana — the city of Kucha.
55 Khoja Yar-Kypchak — a supporter of Yulbars Khan, and later Ismail Khan, son of Abd ar-Rahim Khan. The latter appointed him hakim of Hotan.