Is turkish mehteran dated back to gökturk era?

[abdulhay]

I wonder if the music they play is originated back to the gökturk era, I read it on wikipedia, dont know if its true

[H. İhsan Erkoç]

The music did not, but the concept did.

[abdulhay]

aha I see, I actually maybe have to post a new topic but I think continue in this one if its ok,

I have a counter question to your reply, since arabuse music was originated from the book of music which is written by abu nasr ibn tarkhan ibn uzalagh al-farabi at-turki which is a central asian turk , cant u say that its a modification and some inspiration from other cultures but still the same turkic melodies in a new tone

[H. İhsan Erkoç]

I didn't see that work, so I can't say much

[ancalimon]

Is there any document about the concept of Mehter existing in Göktürks?

[H. İhsan Erkoç]

Yes, there are a few Chinese records regarding that. According to Jiu Tang-shu, when Duo-lu Qaġan 咄羅可汗 (ruled 633-634) of the Western Gokturks fought with the Nu-shi-bi 弩失畢 branch of the On Oq (Ten Tribes), he had the drums and horns played before his army engaged in hand-to-hand combat. According to the same source, when the Western Gokturk ruler Sha-bo-luo Ke-han 沙鉢羅可汗 (Ïšbara Qaġan, original name A-shi-na He-lu 阿史那賀魯, ruled 649-656) was finally defeated by the Chinese, his drums, banners and weapons were captured by the Chinese.

There are also many examples of drums being used by the Gokturks as one of the authority symbols of the rulers.