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 Ahmed, and Imam Ibrahim ibn Ahmed, as well as the date of their death, are approximately the same.
The reign of the supreme khan of the Eastern Karakhanids, Ibrahim ibn Ahmed, was associated with the struggle against the advancing Kara-Kitans from the east. In this struggle, he perished. Sources refer to him as a "shahid" (one who died for the faith of Islam), thus he could be the last Eastern Karakhanid khan who died in a war against the "infidels." According to the epic "Manas," the enemies of the Kyrgyz are called Kara-Kitans (later Kara-Kalmyks), against whom Manas perishes.
"Majmu at-Tawarikh" and the Epic "Manas"
In "Majmu at-Tawarikh," Imam Ibrahim ibn Ahmed appears with forty guzes, while Manas, according to the epic, is depicted with forty warriors (choro). The supreme khan of the Eastern Karakhanids, Ibrahim ibn Ahmed, was from the Karakhanid dynasty, i.e., a descendant of Oguz — Kara-Khan. According to the epic, Manas is portrayed as a descendant of Oguz-Kara-Khan. "Majmu at-Tawarikh" contains a legend about the origin of the Kyrgyz people in the mountains of Khojent during the time of Sultan Sanjar (12th century).
This legend may confirm that in the first half of the 12th century, in Central Asia, the formation of the Kyrgyz union of the right (Ong) and left (Sol) wings took place. If the Kyrgyz of the right wing were Muslims, then the representatives of the left wing were not. By the way, this can also be confirmed by data from the epic "Manas." In the narrative about how the Kyrgyz rushed to pursue the Kara-Kitans before the "Great Campaign," it is mentioned that they, at the behest of Manas, arranged themselves into right and left wings. The right wing consisted of Muslims, while the left wing consisted of non-Muslims (literally, "kaapyr" — "infidels").
Some important aspects of the life and activities of the supreme khan of the Eastern Karakhanids, Ibrahim ibn Ahmed, and the historical events associated with him enriched the epic "Manas" and the image of its main hero. This includes the unification of the fragmented Kyrgyz tribes into the right and left wings and the formation of the Kyrgyz el (people), the struggle against the Kara-Kitans, the "Great Campaign" on Bezhin (Beshbalyk), the depiction of Manas as a descendant of Oguz-Kara-Khan, the demise of Manas as a "shahid" (fighter for the faith of Islam), and others.