The Kara Khaniad Empire-First Turkish Muslims
The first time I heard was in the TV series called Uyanis …. , which means the Great Seljuks. In the series Malik Shah’s 1st wife, mentions herself as being from the Kara Khaniads. She in history too wanted throne for her minor son. But that’s a different topic itself. This was a Turkish Khanate or empire in the 9th Century to 13th Century. The Kara khaniads were formed in the 9th century by:
The Kara Khaniad State lasted from 840 CE to 1212 CE and then they accepted superiority of the Seljuks who were another Turkic tribe, from Oghuz Khan Lineage. Among the Turks, looks like there is an unofficial message, for a person to be Khagan or Khan (king) he has to prove lineage to Oghuz Khan somehow, in addition to physical superiority. The Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) came from the best of tribes among Arabs, Quraysh. The Quraysh were leaders and care takers of the Kaaba. Ibn Khaldun mentions “Asabiya’’ or tribalism in Al Muqadimma.
Tribes of Karakhaniads:
- Yamas
- Chilgis
- Tuhsi
- Karluks
The word Qara means black. They were known as black Prince.The Karluks were nomadic people from the western Altai Mountains. The first person to accept Islam was Boghra Khan.
Mythological origins of Kara khaniads and Afrasiabs
Afrasiab was a mythological hero, popular among the Turks and Persians. He was archenemy of the Persians. , according to Shahnameh(book of Kings) by poet al Ferdousi. Afrasiab was of the Turanian race, sub set of Caucasian race. Afrasiab was son of Tur who was one of sons of king Feredyun.The Kara-Khanid Khanate also known to be from this house.
Language:Khaqanic Turkic with mix of Arabic and Persian. Something similar to Old Ulghyur. Script was in Arabic.
Religion of Kara khaniads
They worshipped Tengri and later on accepted Islam and were the first among Turks to become Muslims.
Capital:
• Balasagun
• Kashgar
• Samarkand
• Bukhara
The Kara khaniads came from Kazakhstan
The Battle of Talas
The battle of Talas was fought between the Abbasids Caliphate and Tang dynasty.
Fought in: 751 CE
Place : Along Talas River.
Ziyad bin Salih, governor of Samarkand asked for reinforcements from Abbasids Caliphate. According to Chinese sources the Karluk Turks switched sides and sided with the Muslims and ultimate lately, war went in favor of Muslims.
Some of the Karluks accepted Islam but mass conversion happened when Karakhanid ruler Sultan Satuk Buğra Khan accepted Islam in middle of 10th Century. The empires were nothing new among Turks because they already had them:
• Gokturk Khanate., we posted earlier.
• Uyghur Khanate (744 -840 CE). This ere split into two, not discussed in this post.
• Karaknaiad Khanate (844-1221 CE).
The first two were when Turks were non-Muslims and Karkhanaid Khanate, later became Muslims.
The Karakhaniads have very beautiful architecture, culture and history. This was the reason the women coming from this dynasty looked down on Seljuks and other Turkish empires.
In modern terms, those guys had culture and were elegant in comparison to Seljuks(in their opinion).
The cities:
• Samarkand
• Bukhara. Cities are examples of their splendid empire. the Mongols attacked Samarkand but left architecture intact. Here some of the places to see of Kararkhaniad empire.
Kara Khaniad Empire in Modern Times
The Following countries in modern times were part of this great Muslim Turkish Empire
- Uzbekistan
- Kyrgyzstan
- Kazakhstan
Enough history ,making me hungry. These guys have great delicious food. No wonder their kings always fighting, this where they get the energy.
Food and Cuisine of Central Asia
• Samarkand plov
• Ikrom Shashlik
• Kazan Kabob
Try out this delicious dishes.
Historical figures in Turkish TV Series
• Terken Hatun, she is shown as a proud woman and especially proud of her ancestry. Wife of Malik Shah
• Safirriya Hatun-At first she did not want to marry Alp Arslan, since Karakhaniads and Seljuks were not on friendly terms. Wife of Alp Arslan.
The father in law of Alp Arslan was shown as Arslan Yusuf who killed Yinal Bey’s father, according to Alp Arslan Tv Series.
Malik Shah’s mother was a Kara khaniad woman and that is why Terken Hatun(TV series) was shown ,she is only woman Terken respected. All other lady characters she looked down. Even Seljuk sister in laws. All these Karaknaids characters did not want to bow to supremacy of the Seljuks.
The audience (myself) too may hate Terken Hatun but she was from a very good family with strong roots, aristocracy.
• Kara Khaniad
• Daughter of Tamghach Khan Ibrahim. Alp Arslan mentions him few times in TV series.
Tamghach Khan Ibrahim was a Karakhaniad ruler (1038-1068 CE) of Transoxiana.
Where to Watch Turkish Historical Series on Seljuks and others
Recommended post before reading
Kara Khaniad Empire-first Muslim Turkish Empire
Travel to Central Asia
Group tours ,these company looks good.