IS17403CR
Islamic Culture and Society under the Ottomans
Unit-I
(i) Origin and History of the Turks
Sources of ancient Turks history comes from the
Chinese chronicles of Sui (580-618) and Tang (618-
905) dynasties.
According to the Chinese, the word ‘turk’ was a
turkish word meaning ‘helmet’.
Chinese were engaged in several centuries of warfare
with a nomad nation called by Chinese ‘Hiung-nu’ or
‘Hiung slaves’- from it comes ‘Hun’.
Scholars debate on the term ‘Hun’ whether it should
be applied to the Turks or not.
Some scholars are of the opinion that the term ‘Turk’
originated in the year 543 C.E.
One tribal (nomad) chief Asena, with 500 tents placed
himself under the protection of the then dominant
nomad power (west of the Tung empire) namely
Geougen.
Hiung Nu------Tsugo-----Asena (439C.E.)-----Nutor-----
Tumen (543 C.E.)
Notur first applied the word ‘Turk’ to his people and
his son Tumen founded the Turkish power in 543 C.E.
They lived somewhere between what are now called
Etzinai and Kokonor in the modern Chinese province
of Kansuh.
Turks when they first took the national name of
‘Turk’, were of Hiung-Nu origin.
The mountain along the lower slopes of which they
lived- known to the Chinese, like the Altai, as ‘Golden
Mountains’ – were quite close to China
Notur, the father of their political founder Tumen, first
used the name ‘Turk’ as a tribal designation in the first
half of the 6th century C.E.
Tumen only reigned for two years having rendered
excellent military service to his master, the Geougen.
Tumen thought himself entitled to a Geougen princess.
His advances were repelled; he revolted, overthrew the
Geougen empire and himself assumed the title of
Khakan or Khan.
The word ‘han’ or ‘khan’ occurs in history, apparently
as a Tungusic title.
Chinese chronicles suggest that Tumen died in 553
C.E., leaving at least five sons; Isiki, Mukan, Tapo,
Yangsu and Tateu.
Isiki died almost as soon as he came to the throne. He
was succeeded by his brother Mukan.
Mukan reigned from 553 to 572 C.E.
It was under Mukan’s rule that the Turkish empire
attained its highest early development.
Mukan asserted a suzerainty over the Kirghiz and
nomad Tungusic tribes and established a strong system
of government.
The rival Tungusic dynasty, that was civilized and
settled branches ruling as emperors of North China
did all in their power to curry favor with the
formidable Turkish Khan.
Turks used to send their emissaries on trade and
diplomatic mission to the Byzantine and Persian
empires.
Shapur Khan, son of Isiki ruled from 581 to 587 C.E.
There were subordinate governments under supreme
leader Shapur Khan
(i) Amro (s/o Tapu)
(ii) Dalobian (s/o Mukan)
(iii) Tat- t’ou (s/o Tumen)
1st Khan: Tumen
2nd Khan: Isiki
3rd Khan: Mukan
4th Khan: Tapu
5th Khan: Shapur
Prominent Khans of first Turkish empire
The Turkish empire gained its aggressive power under
the leadership of Gheri.
Gheri was ultimately taken prisoner by the Chinese in
630 C.E.
By this time, the Turks were divided into two distinct
branches:
(i) Eastern Turks
(ii) Western Turks
The Western Turks had their chief encampment in the
Issikul region.
The Western Turks’ relations with Persia were more
extensive than those with China.
The Ghaznavis, Ghouris, Seljuqs and Ottomans came
from Western branch of Turks.
