Post by H. İhsan Erkoç on Sept 7, 2006 21:26:21 GMT 3
Here is a list of theories regarding the origins of the ruling family of the Qarakhanid Empire:
Yaghma: There are some indications that the Qarakhanid ruling family might have been from the Yaghma. The Yaghma rulers were recorded to be using the titles Khaqan and Khan whereas Qarluq rulers used titles of lower status, such as Yabghu, Chughlan, Saghun and Köl Irkin. According to the anonymous Islâmic geography book Hudûdu'l-'Âlam, the Yaghmas controlled Kâshghar and Artuch; Kâshghar is known to be the eastern capital of the Qarakhanids while the Qarakhanid royal cemetary is located in Artuch. Plus, according to the Islâmic source Mucmelu't-Tevârîkh ve'l-Qisas, the Yaghmas used the title Bughra Khan which was a title commonly used by the Qarakhanids. Barthold, Minorsky and Sümer were among the famous scholars who supported this theory.
Qarluq: Another well-known theory is the Qarluq-origins theory, which claims that the Qarakhanid ruling family was a branch of the Qarluq Yabghus who migrated to the Kâshghar region. However, in my opinion, the Yaghma theory has stronger points. If I remember correctly, Köprülü was a supporter of this theory.
Qarluq-Yaghma: According to this theory, the Qarakhanids were a mixture of Qarluqs and Yaghmas. Why not? ;D
Uyghur: This theory is linked with the Yaghma theory and it is not un-logical if you believe the Yaghma theory. The Yaghma were among the many tribes and peoples who made up the Uyghur Qaghanate in the 9th century. After the fall of the Uyghur Qaghanate in 840, and after the establishment of the Uyghur Idiqut State in Turfan, the Yaghmas broke off from the main Uyghur body and became a separate people on their own while migrating to Kâshgharia. Hence, the Yaghmas and the Qarakhanids (if they were of Yaghma-origin), were politicially Uyghurs (the name Uyghur had become a political name in the late 8th-early 9th centuries as the original ten tribes of the Uyghur people gathered dozens of tribes and peoples around them). However, since the Yaghmas were not from the original ten tribes of the Uyghurs, the Yaghma rulers were called Qara (which has many meanings, including "[Someone] not from the royalty").
Chighil: We also got a theory claiming that the Chighils were the rulers of the Qarakhanid Empire. Sounds like a weak theory to me.
Türkmen: There is a theory that the Qarakhanids were Türkmens, but I have not seen any solid evidences to support this theory.
Blue Turk (Tujue): There is another theory, suggesting that the ruling family of this empire might have been of Blue Turk (Tujue/Gök Türk) origin, coming from the Ashina tribe of this people. Also a weak theory for me.
Yaghma: There are some indications that the Qarakhanid ruling family might have been from the Yaghma. The Yaghma rulers were recorded to be using the titles Khaqan and Khan whereas Qarluq rulers used titles of lower status, such as Yabghu, Chughlan, Saghun and Köl Irkin. According to the anonymous Islâmic geography book Hudûdu'l-'Âlam, the Yaghmas controlled Kâshghar and Artuch; Kâshghar is known to be the eastern capital of the Qarakhanids while the Qarakhanid royal cemetary is located in Artuch. Plus, according to the Islâmic source Mucmelu't-Tevârîkh ve'l-Qisas, the Yaghmas used the title Bughra Khan which was a title commonly used by the Qarakhanids. Barthold, Minorsky and Sümer were among the famous scholars who supported this theory.
Qarluq: Another well-known theory is the Qarluq-origins theory, which claims that the Qarakhanid ruling family was a branch of the Qarluq Yabghus who migrated to the Kâshghar region. However, in my opinion, the Yaghma theory has stronger points. If I remember correctly, Köprülü was a supporter of this theory.
Qarluq-Yaghma: According to this theory, the Qarakhanids were a mixture of Qarluqs and Yaghmas. Why not? ;D
Uyghur: This theory is linked with the Yaghma theory and it is not un-logical if you believe the Yaghma theory. The Yaghma were among the many tribes and peoples who made up the Uyghur Qaghanate in the 9th century. After the fall of the Uyghur Qaghanate in 840, and after the establishment of the Uyghur Idiqut State in Turfan, the Yaghmas broke off from the main Uyghur body and became a separate people on their own while migrating to Kâshgharia. Hence, the Yaghmas and the Qarakhanids (if they were of Yaghma-origin), were politicially Uyghurs (the name Uyghur had become a political name in the late 8th-early 9th centuries as the original ten tribes of the Uyghur people gathered dozens of tribes and peoples around them). However, since the Yaghmas were not from the original ten tribes of the Uyghurs, the Yaghma rulers were called Qara (which has many meanings, including "[Someone] not from the royalty").
Chighil: We also got a theory claiming that the Chighils were the rulers of the Qarakhanid Empire. Sounds like a weak theory to me.
Türkmen: There is a theory that the Qarakhanids were Türkmens, but I have not seen any solid evidences to support this theory.
Blue Turk (Tujue): There is another theory, suggesting that the ruling family of this empire might have been of Blue Turk (Tujue/Gök Türk) origin, coming from the Ashina tribe of this people. Also a weak theory for me.