"Hudud al-Aalam" about the "Priirtysh" Kyrgyz
In the chapter "Words about the mountains of 'Hudud al-Aalam' and the mines that are in them," it is stated: "And there is another mountain (located) in the northern region, between the border of the Kimaks and the beginning (of the settlement) of the Khyrgyz. It goes from the very border of the Kimaks and stretches in an eastern direction to the border of the Khyrgyz, then turns and descends to the northern areas, to those very places where the populated (regions) of the world end. In the northern regions, the Kimaks call this mountain Kandaï urbagi." It is likely that this message referred to those Kyrgyz who, according to Al-Istakhri, could inhabit areas somewhere in Eastern Kazakhstan, the southern Altai, and northern Dzungaria. This group of Kyrgyz, who were probably also among the "Western" Kyrgyz, can conditionally be called the "Priirtysh" Kyrgyz. In another part of this work, there is mention of a river called Ras. "(It) flows in the northern limits and through the land of the Guzz. This is a large (river), but muddy and foul-smelling. It originates from a mountain located on the border between the Kimaks and the Khyrgyz, crosses the land of the Guzz, and flows into the Caspian Sea." Here, it is evident that information was being reported about the "Priirtysh" Kyrgyz, who, according to this data, apparently resided in the north of Dzungaria. It is quite possible that the Kimak tribes conquered the Kyrgyz living in the areas of Priobye, Altai, and Priirtyshye, and perhaps partly pushed them toward the Yenisei and to the north of Dzungaria.
This position may also be confirmed by the information from Al-Idrisi ("Nuzhat al-Mushtak fi Ikhtiraq al-Afaq", 12th century), who reports: "All the cities of the land of the Khyrgyz are concentrated in one territory, the length of which is about three marhalas. There are four large cities, surrounded by walls and fortifications, and populated by zealous, brave, and courageous people, who especially have to fear the actions of the lord, the warlike prince, who is almost always at war with his neighbors." It is clear that this information pertains to an earlier time than the first half of the 12th century. In this information, it is evident that both the "Western" and "Eastern" Kyrgyz were being referred to. Thus, further in Al-Idrisi, it is stated: "In this land (of the Kyrgyz - E. u. K) they breed many horses, bulls, and sheep. The horses have very short necks and are quite well-fed. They are fattened for consumption. As for the bulls, they are usually used for transporting heavy loads. Women perform all kinds of work, while men are supposed to engage only in plowing and harvesting.
Women possess agility, strength, and courage, like men. The Khyrgyz burn their dead and throw the ashes (into the river) Manhaz; those who live too far from this river collect their ashes and scatter the dust to the wind."
About the land of Khyrgyz (Kyrgyz), it is also reported that "it is very fertile, visited by travelers. This land is rich in water. It has various rivers flowing from the border of China.
The largest of these rivers is the one called Manhaz. This river is abundant in water and fast-flowing. It flows over stones, and its waters rarely flow calmly, as is the case with other rivers. They (the Khyrgyz) have mills on this river, where they grind rice, wheat, and other grains, turning them into flour, from which they make bread, or they eat them boiled without grinding; this is their sustenance. On the banks of this river, the aloe tree grows. It is home to a fish called ash-shatrun, which has the same effect on the reproductive organ as assankur, which is found in the Nile in Egypt; it is said that this fish has few bones, and its meat is flaky and does not have the odor characteristic of fish."
It is quite possible that the Kimak tribes could have conquered the "Eastern" Kyrgyz living in Altai, Priirtyshye, and Priobye, partly pushing them toward the Yenisei. The remnants of the "Western" Kyrgyz could have migrated to the north of Dzungaria.
It is quite possible that the Kimak tribes also conquered the "Western" Kyrgyz, although they may have only conquered part of this group of Kyrgyz, while another part could have resided in the north of Dzungaria.
"Priirtysh" Kyrgyz in "Hudud al-Aalam", Al-Idrisi,
In "Hudud al-Aalam", in the chapter "Words about the land of the Kimaks and its cities," it is stated about the area named Karkara Khan "belonging to the Kimaks, and its inhabitants resemble the Khyrgyz in (their) customs." Mahmud Kashgari may have been referring to the Kyrgyz who fell under the power of the Kimaks or were in their territory. This area (i.e., Karkara Khan) could have been located in the regions south of the Irtysh. However, in the "Words about the sands and deserts" in "Hudud al-Aalam," it is stated: "... And there is another desert, it is located north of China; to the east of it is the (basin) of the Eastern Ocean, to the south — the provinces of China, to the west — the river Kucha, and to the north — the Toguz-Guz and Khyrgyz." This message may have mentioned the "Priirtysh" Kyrgyz who lived in the north of Dzungaria. They are also evidently mentioned in other chapters of this work. Thus, in the "Words about the land of the Toguz-Guz and its cities," it is reported: "To the north of the Toguz-Guz is a desert, (it) stretches between the Toguz-Guz and the Khyrgyz to the land of the Kimaks." The "Priirtysh" Kyrgyz are likely mentioned by Al-Idrisi (first half of the 12th century), where on his map, the Kimaks are located to the north of the Toguz-Guz and the Kyrgyz. It is likely that these Kyrgyz are mentioned by Mahmud Kashgari (11th century) among the northern tribes.
On Mahmud Kashgari's map, there is an inscription "Numerous people from the Turks," which refers to the area located south of the unnamed mountain. Apparently, this refers to Southern Altai. To the east of this mountain lies a wasteland, to the south — the land of the Uighurs, to the west — a mountain range. Apparently, the "Priirtysh" Kyrgyz were among these "numerous people from the Turks," who could mainly represent Kimak (Kypchak)-Kyrgyz tribes. By the way, the mention by Mahmud Kashgari that among these "numerous people from the Turks" there could also be "Priirtysh" Kyrgyz serves as evidence for this. He could have designated them on the above-mentioned map as "Numerous people from the Turks."
In the chapter "Words about the land of Chigile," in "Hudud al-Aalam," it is stated that "this land of the Kyrgyz (i.e., Chigile - E. u. K.) (whose inhabitants, by their origin, belong to the Khallukh), is characterized by a large population: to the east and south of it are the limits (of settlement) of the Khallukh, to the west of it are the limits of the Tukhiyts, and to the north — the land of the Khyrgyz. And all that is obtained in the land of the Khallukh and in the land of the Khyrgyz is also obtained from the Chigile." And finally, in the "Words about the land of the Kimaks and its cities," it is reported: "This area (i.e., of the Kimaks - E. u. K.) is such an area: to the east of it is one of the Khyrgyz tribes, to the south of it is the river Artush and the river Itil, to the west of it is some part of the Kypchaks and partially uninhabited lands, and to the north of it is such a place in the north where people cannot live."
In the "Words about the land of the Khyrgyz," in "Hudud al-Aalam," it is stated that "to the east of it (i.e., the land of the Khyrgyz - E. u. K.) is the land of China and the sea — the Eastern Ocean, to the south of it are the limits of the Toguz-Guz and partially of the Khallukh, to the west of it are the limits of the settlement of the Kimaks and (to the north) — uninhabited lands.
The surroundings of this area are completely deserted, and the uninhabited lands of the north are (such a place) where people cannot stay due to the severe cold: In this area, a lot of musk and many furs are obtained, white poplar and wood (mladj and rog hutu, which is used) for making knife handles. Their ruler is called Khyrgyz-Khakan. And these are people who resemble wild beasts in nature; their faces (are) coarse, they have little hair, (they) are unjust and merciless, characterized by belligerence and a tendency to disputes: with all the peoples around them, they fight and feud." It is possible that this information refers to a time when the Kyrgyz living in the areas of Altai, Priirtyshye, and Priobye had not yet been conquered and pushed by the Kimaks.
"Words about the land of Khyrgyz," in "Hudud al-Aalam"
Furthermore, in the "Words about the land of Khyrgyz," in "Hudud al-Aalam," it is stated: (the main articles) of their wealth are Khyrgyz carts, sheep, cows, and horses. They migrate (in search of) water, dry grass, (favorable) weather, and green meadows. They worship fire and burn the dead. They live in yurts and tents, engage in hunting and fishing." In this information, as well as in Al-Idrisi, it is evident that both the "Western" and "Eastern" Kyrgyz are being referred to.
It seems that a number of pieces of information in "Hudud al-Aalam" about the Kyrgyz are based on very vague data about them, evidently due to their transformation in the process of repeated transmission by informants. Likewise, some information in "Hudud al-Aalam" could have been based on data from other, earlier sources.
On Al-Idrisi's map (first half of the 12th century), the Kyrgyz also lived among the Khyrgyz, bordering Al-Idrisi, to the west with the lands of the Kimaks, and to the east with the sea. Here, it could refer to the "Western" and "Eastern" Kyrgyz together or only to the "Priirtysh" Kyrgyz.
In "Jahannama," by Muhammad ibn Najib Bekran (early 13th century), in the chapter "About some Jayhuns and rivers," it is reported about the Kyrgyz: "Atal is a word that denotes the name of the city of the Khazars, in the midst of which flows the Jayhun, heading towards the sea; this is also the name of the Jayhun. Its upper reaches lie near the Khyrgyz and flow between (the settlement of) the Kimaks and Turkmen tribes, then it flows to the Bulgars and to the borders of the Rus, and then heads towards the Burtas in such a way that it flows into Lake Abeskun (passing) through the middle of the city of the Khazars, which is also called Atal, or otherwise Jamlik..." This data largely resonates with the information from Al-Istakhri ("Kitab Masalik al-Mamalik"), chapters "About the Caspian Sea" (Arabic text) and "Mention of the land of the Khazars" (Persian text).
In the chapter "About the mountains that are known," in "Jahannama," the Kyrgyz are mentioned in the following context: "A large mountain protrudes from the limits of Garchistan and Gura, stretches past Bamiyan and Bandjhir, and reaches the city of Wahan. (Its name) is unclear. It is the outer side of Tibet and there it is divided so that its large spur extends into Turkestan up to the border of the Khyrgyz and continues to the limits of China. And another (spur) turns towards Khatlan and reaches the limits of Fergana, then goes to Jalal and Buttem, which is (near) the city of Usrushana. And thus it goes to the limits of Bukhara. And we have not heard the name of this mountain; perhaps in each locality where it stretches, it receives a name according to (the name) of this area. And the desert that stretches near Usrushana and extends within Fergana, reaching the Khyrgyz, is located beside this mountain. In this mountain, there are many mines, especially within Usrushana these mountains are called Buttem; (they) have gold and silver mines, iron, copper..." This information largely resonates with the data from Al-Istakhri's work ("Kitab Masalik al-Mamalik"). In the first case, it could refer to the "Talass" or "Tian Shan" Kyrgyz, and in the second to the "Talass" ones.
In the chapter "About the deserts," in "Jahannama," it is stated: "From the borders of Bukhara to the borders of Khorezm, there is a desert, and its soil is sand. Between Nahshab and Jayhun Khorezm there is a desert, in Khatlan there is a desert, (from) Usrushana to Fergana and to the Khyrgyz stretches a desert, beside this mountain, which has already been mentioned in the chapter about the mountains." This information also resonates with the information from Al-Istakhri's work ("Kitab Masalik al-Mamalik").