Military Terms in Old Turkic

[H. İhsan Erkoç]

(Originially posted by me at October 5, 2004)
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I decided to make a list of the military terms in Old Turkic (up to the 10th century AD) which I know:


Tuoba (Tabghach) Dialect:*
Atlachïn: Cavalry
Tabaghchïn: Infantry
Qoruqchïn: Guard


Old Turkic of 6th-8th Centuries:
Ordinary Units:
Atlïgh: Cavalry
Böri (meaning "Wolf"): Guard
Yadagh: Infantry

Other Units:
Aqïnchï: "Raider", attacks enemy camp at night
Qarghu: Watch Tower Guard
Küzetchi ("Watch Man"): Tower Guard
Saqchï: Camp Guard
Yelme: Scout
Yezek: Vanguard

Officers and Ranks:
Er/Cherig/Sü: Soldier, Private or Army
On Bashï: Commander of ten men
Yüz Bashï: Commander of a hundred men
Besh Yüz Bashï: Commander of five hundred men
Toquz Yüz Bashï: Commander of nine hundred men
Biñ Bashï: Commander of a thousand men
Besh Biñ Bashï: Commander of five thousand men
Tümen Bashï: Commander of ten thousand men
Er Bashï: Head of Soldiers
Tarqan: Hero or Champion
Chabïsh: A high ranked officer
Bash Chabïsh: Head of Chabïshes
Apa Tarqan: Army Commander
Sü Bashï: Army Commander (Sü means Army)
Señün: General


Some terms used by the Qara-Khanids:
Otagh Bashï: Commander of ten men
Khayl Bashï: Commander of a hundred men
Tutghaq: Scout

* Note that the Tuoba were a tribe of Xianbei mixed with Xiongnu yet some of their terms were in Old Turkic, especially a dialect which must have been very close to the dialect spoken by the Xiongnu and Huns. The "-chïn" part is still used in Turkish as "-chï/-jï" while it also still survives in some words in some Anatolian Turkish accents in the form of "-shïn" although it's not used very wide.

Most of these terms were continued to be used in Middle Turkish (10th-19th centuries): Atlïgh became Atlï; Yadagh became Yaya; Aqïnchï became Akïnjï; Küzet became Gözet (meaning "to watch"); Yezek may have become Yedek meaning "Reserve"; Sü Bashï was used widely by the Seljûkids with the same meaning; it became a rank of higher officers who were the members of the Dîvân in the Ottomans; On Bashï, Yüz Bashï and Bin Bashï are still used in the modern Turkish army.

For the weapons, I have to make some research to create a full list. The ones I can give now

Yay (Bow, mainly Composite)
Oq (Arrow)

Süñü (general name of "weapon", also used for Spear)
Qarghï (Lance; Qargu meant Tower)
Qachut (Short Spear)
Qïlïch (Sword, mainly Saber)
Yaraq (Dagger; this has a rude meaning today)
Bï/Bïchaq: Knife
Bügde/Bükte: Knife (apart from Bïchakh)
Kinghïraq/Qama: A two-faced sharpe knife
Topuz: Mace (this was not used very much before Islam)
Qamchï/Berge: Whip
Uqruq/Kement: Lassoe

Tura/Qalqan (Shield)
Tolga/Yashuq/Ashuq (Helmet)
Yarïq (Armor)
Say Yarïq (hardened leather lamellae)
Küpe Yarïq (little mail of Say Yarïq)
Kedim (meaning "Dress", Horse Armor)


(Note:, in Turkish, A is always pronounced as 'A' in Charles while CH is like the CH in the same name. E is always like the French é)

[Lannes]

ihsan said:

Tarqan: Hero or Champion

What made one considered a Tarqan?

Chabïsh: A high ranked officer

Could you explain further?

Apa Tarqan: Army Commander
Sü Bashï: Army Commander (Sü means Army)

Any differences between the two?

[H. İhsan Erkoç]

What made one considered a Tarqan?

I couldn't find any info on that, but possibly bravery in battles.

Could you explain further?

We don't know the exact position of Chabïsh in the Tujue Empire, but we know that by the time of the Qara-Khanid Empire, Chabïsh was ab officer rank who was responsible from keeping soldiers in order.

Any differences between the two?

Not much, as I could find.

[baikal]

er ,onbasi, cavus ,yuzbasi binbasi albay ,yarbay kamci same is turkish army useing it