Kan-Çou Uighur StateKan
Uighur people came to the region of Kan-su where some of the people of the same kind resided for nearly 150 years. These Uighur people who arrived in this region settled in the centre of Kan-çou. They had good relationship with China that was mostly based on trade relations and they reinforced this relation with relative ties through the marriages between the daughters of the emperors with the Uighur princes. However, in the beginning of the 10th century, the rebellions against the T'ang dynasty increased a lot. Therefore, the Kan-su Uighur people were disconnected from the Chinese military zone that was centred in Tun-Huang (the place where the famous Bin-Buddha coves were located) that they were dependent.
A renegade general that had established an autonomous "state" in this region in the year of 905 wanted to subdue the Uighur people under the domination of this state that was called as "Altın-dağ kingdom of the Western khans". However, Kan-çou Uighur people had sent an army under the command of the commander named as Tegin. This army besieged Tun-huang and forced the people to deliver the "king" to the Uighur people (911). Upon this event, the western branch of the Uighur people had attained their independence.
Kan-cou and Tun-huang Uighur people could not attain a great military power. Therefore, there is not much information about these people. Since the beginning of the 10th century, K'itan people collected the tribes of Manchuria and Korea around them and came into existence as a pressure element in the north. Kitan people captured some of the sections of China in the period of "5th Dynasty". Finally, they established a dynasty (Liao dynasty, 907-1211) and dominion in the northern China. Then, the Uighur State became submissive to the Kitan domination (after 940) and then, they got under the influence of Tangut people in the years of 1028. The Uighur people were submissive to the tyranny of the Jenghiz Khan Mongolians in the year of 1226. Kan-çou Uighur people constituted the Turkish tribe that was known as "Sari Uygurlar" (Yellow Uighur people) since that period and they still live in the region of the western China.
Name of Uighur
Within the Orhun inscriptions, the Uighur people have been mentioned in relation with the rebellions in the year of 717. However, they have been cited in the form of various names within the Chinese resources from of old. The meaning of the name of Uighur was explained as "the person that attacks and raids with the speed of a falcon" in the Chinese work titled as Kiu Wu Tai that was completed in the year of 974. However, it was stated that this word was derived in the form of uy (follow up) + gur (like Sal-gur) on the other hand.
Origin of Uighur people
In the Chinese resources, it has been cited that the Uighur people had come from the Asian Hun people. According to a legend of origination pertaining to Uighur people, their ancestors had reproduced from the daughter of one of the Hun rulers and a wolf.Uighur people were observed under the name of Kao-kü (Kao-che) in the period of Tabgaç people (386-534) and they had established a bey principality in the second half of the 5th century. Afterwards, they had constituted one group of Töles people that had expanded towards nearly the entire Central Asia. In the period of 1st Gok-Turk Khanate, the Uighur people maintained their situations and they dwelled within the environs of Selenga River in those periods.
In the first quarter of the 7th century, the Uighur people joined the union of Sir-Tarduş people that was composed of 6 tribes. Then, the tribes of P'u-ku, Tongra, Bayırku and Fu-lo-pu gathered around the Uighur tribe and they had been named as "Uighur" people. Their beys would bear the title of Erkin. Meanwhile, it has been known that they had 50 thousands of warriors in this period.
In the years of decline of the 1st Gok-Turk Khanate, the Uighur Principality came into existence and this bey principality was governed by Erkin T'ekien. The Uighur people became much more powerful in the period of P'u-se who defeated the Gok-Turk army under the command of Kie'li's son (in the years of 630s). Then, the principality was arranged totally in a regular manner by means of the solemn attitudes of particularly P'u-se's mother, Vu-ho-hun and her fastidiousness in respect of the application of the legal provisions (töre). Then, the title of Il-teber (the title of Hie-li-fa in the Chinese language) replaced the title of "Erkin". The capital city of the Il-Teberlik (Il-Teber's country) was located within the environs of the Tola River.
Il-Teber (Ruler) T'u-mi-tu defeated the commander of Tarduş people and he expanded his lands. Then, he organised an attack to the south that extended towards Huang-ho. As a result of these movements, he was recognised by the Chinese emperor (646). He declared himself as "Kagan" (Great Ruler) and he organised and arranged his country in accordance with the style of the Gok-Turk State. China tried to impose pressure on him and T'u-mi-tu was killed as a result o the provocation of China in the year of 647. Then, P'o-çu who was the son of T'u-mi-tu (648) defeated Holu that was declared as the "kagan" (ruler) of On-Ok people by China. Afterwards, he advanced towards the environs of Tashkent (656). In the period of his sister that replaced him, the Uighur Principality started to lose power on the verge of decline. Finally, this principality was subdued to the government of the Gok-Turk State by Kapagan Kagan.
Foundation of the Uighur Khanate
Uighur people abolished the Gok-Turk government in the year of 745 and founded a khanate in Ötüken. It was then a union composed of 9 tribes. Pursuant to the annexation of Karluk and Basmil people that they subdued, the number of the tribes in the union increased to 11. The first Uighur ruler, Kutlug Kül Bilge had founded the capital city of Ordubalik (within the environs of the city of Kara-balasagun in the further periods) on the banks of Orhun River and he died in the year of 747. His son, Mo-yen-çur became "kagan" (ruler) in his place ("Tanrıda bolmuş il etmiş Bilge kagan= Bilge Kagan endowed with State by the God 747-759).
As it can be understood from the inscription, he was a very important person in the first period of the Uighur Khanate that was near the Sine-usu lake in today's northern Mongolia. Due to the probable separation of Basmil people from the Uighur union, Mo-yen-çur who was the ruler of Uighur people had fought against the Khirghiz people in the north, Karluk people in the west and Turgiş and Basmil people who helped them, and also Sekiz-oguz, Dokuz-Tatar and Çik people. He had expanded his domination towards the springs of the Yenisey River, the environs of Çu-Talas, the central Asia and Kerulen and he also appointed his sons as yabgu (prince) and şad (minister). However, he was actually influential over China.
Talas War
In the great Talas battle (751) that took place between the Islamic forces that were reinforced by Karluk people and Chinese people, the Chinese people were totally defeated. This war ended up with the capture of Tarim basin by the Uighur people. Upon this war, China retreated from the Central Asia. Therefore, some important events took place in China. The most important event was the capture of Lo-yang (755) and C'ang-an (757) by a commander named as An-lu-şan who had a Turkish mother with his forces composed of 200 thousands of people. Then, he declared his empire. Mo-yen-çur supported the T'ang emperor, Su-stung. He recaptured Lo-yang (757). Therefore, China guaranteed to submit an annual amount of 200 thousands of silk rolls to the Uighur people.
Uighur -Chinese Relations
In the year of 759, he was replaced by Bögü Kağan (759-779) (Tanrıda bolmuş il tutmuş Alp Külüg Bilge Kagan= endowed with State by the God). He had also paid great attention to China where some civil turmoil and conflicts went on. His main purpose was to establish domination in China where the T'ang dynasty was not so influential any more. Upon the appearance of Uighur army in China (762), the Chinese commander P'u-ku (Buku, a Turkish title) Hua-ien, a commander of Töles origin who had been a relative of the ruler annihilated the renegades and the advance of the Uighur people were prevented thereof. However, the Turkish influence had increased in China to an extreme degree.
There were numerous Uighur people who performed free trade in the capital city and the other cities. These Uighur people would purchase silken fabrics with any amount that they desired and sell them with any price that they determined. Upon the invitation of P'u-ku Huai-en in order to protect China from the Tibetan attacks, Bögü organised a military expedition to Lo-yang (763). This military expedition had ended up with important results in respect of the Turkish cultural history. In the way of return of the Ruler to Ötüken, he took four priests with him in order to diffuse the religion Manichaeism among the Turks.
This religion would have enormous effects in respect of the change of lifestyles and world conceptions of the Uighur people. Manichaeism was a religion that resulted from the combination of Christianity-Mazdaism- Buddhism that prohibited eating animal products and attenuated the warrior spirits of the people. Therefore, Manichaeism was adopted by the ruler and it attained an official character within the Turkish country
Establishment of Manichaeism
Bögü Kagan who won a victory against the Khirghiz people was killed by the minister, Baga Tarkan who was his relative and then, this minister became the ruler (779-789. Alp Kutlug Bilge Kagan). This ruler was praised for his bravery and government and it has been determined that he had "arranged some laws that regulated the world order". He defeated the Khirghiz people again. He was married with a Chinese princess.
As a result of this wedlock, some of the conflicts that burst out in China resulting from tyranny were eradicated. Pursuant to his domination, "ay Tangride Kut Bulmuş Kütlü Bilge Kagan" (Kütlü Bilge Kagan Endowed with Divine Power by the Moon God) (789-790) and his son, Kutlug Bilge (790-795) became the rulers. Tibetan people who had been interested in China from of old collaborated with Şa-t'o (Desert) Turks that lived within the environs of Beş-balik in that period. Then, these Tibetan people started their attacks and raids. Uighur people had considered the protection of China as a tradition due to some economical and cultural reasons. Therefore, they sent forces to China and tried to prevent the transgressions. However, they could not succeed in. The ruler whose prestige was damaged was killed. A civil war burst out in Ötüken.
The beloved commander and governor, Kutluk (795-805), "ay Tangride Ülüg Bulmuş Alp Kutlug Bilge Kagan" (Alp Kutlug Bilge Kagan endowed Divine Share by the Moon God) became the ruler in the year of 795. Pursuant to him, "Ay Tangride Kut Bulmuş Külüg Bilge" (Külüg Bilge endowed Divine Power by the Moon God) (805-808) ascended the throne as the ruler. In their periods, a state of peace was established. The economical activities were developed. The important trade cities in the Central Asia were populated by Uighur People. The ruler titled as "Ay Tangride Kut Bulmuş Alp Bilge" (Endowed Divine Power by the Moon God) (821-824) who had fairly peaceful relations in respect of foreign policy was the ruler that constructed the Kara-balasagun inscription in the capital state.
His reigning period was a successful era. He had stopped the advance of Tibetan people that wanted to penetrate into Turkestan. He appointed a new yabgu (prince) as the leader of the Karluk people that were subject to the khanate and he developed the trade relations extending towards the Sogd region. However, there was a civil turmoil that broke out in the country in the later periods. The Ruler Alp Bilge was killed in the year of 832 and the ruler named as Alp Kütüg Bilge Kagan (832-839) was annihilated in a rebellion that was provoked by his minister.
Abolition of the Uighur State
Against the disorder that gradually became established among the Uighur people due to the influences of Manichaeism that got deepened, the Khirghiz people showed themselves as a new power within the region of Yenisey and they imposed pressure over the Orhun region for 20 years. These Khirghiz people penetrated into the Uighur lands with crowded forces in the year of 840. They captured Kara-balasagun and killed the ruler. They put the people to the sword. Uighur people whose state was abolished in Ötüken abandoned their homeland in mass groups and they immigrated towards the Chinese borders. More crowded groups immigrated to the Central Asia that included rich trade centres, and the region of Beşbalik, Turfan, Kuça, etc.
Pursuant to this migration that was managed by two brothers from the ruler's dynasty, the second stage of the Uighur history ws commenced henceforth. The leader of the Uighur people was the prince Vu-hi Tegin (841846) that they elected as their "kagan" (ruler) in the course of the migrations. These Uighur people were sometimes manhandled by the Khirghiz people and sometimes by the Chinese people for a specific period. Then, some of them became submissive to China.
The others set off in the direction of west towards their ancient homeland in the 5th century and they founded some states on both sides. However, these states were different from the "Steppe Turkish State". They did not have any desire to expand their domination regions, and they were not involved in big political conflicts. They preferred to maintain their friendly terms and trade relations with particularly the Chinese governments and the other neighbours.
Eastern Turkestan Uighur State
Vu-hi Tegin's brother, Ngo-nie Tegin was the leader of the Uighur people that immigrated towards the Central Asia. He was considered as the last "kagan" (ruler) (846-948) of the 13 Uighur tribal union. The Uighur branch that came to the west settled within the environs of Tien Shan Mountains, Beş-balik and Turfan. The Uighur ruler was killed by the rebellious renegades in Kara-balasagun in the year of 840. Then, Mengli who was the ruler's nephew was elected as the "kagan" (ruler) (titled as Ulug Tangride Kut Bulmış Alp Külüg Bilge= endowed with Divine Power by the Sublime God) (856).
Against the attacks of the Tibetan people, China looked for a friend state in this region that it wanted to establish dominion and influence. Therefore, China immediately recognised this Uighur State. It is probable that the ruler was Buku Cin towards the year of 873. This Uighur State had assumed an attitude that was in compliance with the policies of T'ang dynasty even by name. Therefore, these Uighur people were free to annihilate the military governors of Turfan and Beş-balik that rebelled against the legitimate Chinese domination and establish their dominion towards the region of Hami. The T'ang dynasty did not interfere in these movements of Uighur people. Thus, the political influence of the Uighur State increased gradually and this state developed in respect of economy since it was located over the trade routes of the Central Asia.
At the same time, the Uighur State constituted the means for the diffusion of Manichaeism in the region. In the course of the collapse of T'ang dynasty, the Chinese commander invaded the military region of Tun-huang. As a matter of fact, while this Chinese commander founded his autonomous "state" that we have stated above, he was entitled with the nickname of "White Dressed Sky-son" (the believers of Manichaeism would wear white clothes). However, as it is known, Kan-çou Uighur people had abolished this autonomous "state" (911) and the Eastern Turkestan Uighur State had become independent from that date on.
Afterwards, they were contented with the defence of their country that was surrounded with Tibet in the south and the Karluk region in the Western Turkestan and that included the principal cities of Turfan, Kaşgar, Beş-balık, Kuça, and Hami (Urumçi).
This Uighur State developed in the fields of art, literature and trade. However, there is not much information about the political events of this Uighur State. However, it has been known that the capital city was Hoço (Kara-hoca in the Eastern Turkestan= Kao-Ch'eng) and the summer centre was Beş-balık (Pei-ting). Similarly, it has been known the ruler "Alp Arslan Kutlug Kül Bilge Tangri Han" titled as "Gün Ay Tangride Kut Bulmış Ulug kut onanmış, alpın, erdemin, il tutmuş" (endowed Divine Power, Sublime strength, bravery, virtues and state by the Sky Moon God) had governed the state in the years of 947. The Uighur rulers were entitled with the title of "ıduk-kut" and the capital city was called as "Idık-kut (İdi-kut).
The most interesting information about the Uighur people are observed in the journey memoirs of Wang-ye tö who was sent as an envoy to Kara-hoça by the Northern Sung Emperor in China in the year of 981. These notes are of great significance in respect of the cultural history.
Like in the eastern Uighur branch, Buddhism had been disseminated within the Eastern Turkestan Uighur State. Moreover, it became much more influential than Manichaeism. However, the Christianity and the religion of Islam had had some influence although these influences were so trivial in the beginning. The Muslim-Turk Karahanli people fought against the Uighur people that were cited as "Non-Muslim" in the work of Kaşgarli Mahmud (1074) and they tried to disseminate the religion of Islam in the Uighur country. The religion of Islam had entered into China through Uighur people. Therefore, the first Muslim Chinese people were called as Huei-ho (Uighur).
When the Eastern Turkestan Uighur State got submissive to Jenghiz Khan (in the year of 1209), Iduk-kut Barçuk Art-Tegin was their leader that was subject to Kara-Hitay State until that period. The domination of Uighur people that were always cited as "Dokuz-oguz" (Nine-oguz) in the Islamic resources had actually come to an end.
However, the Uighur dynasty that was subject to the Mongolians survived with the title of Iduk-kut (Ruler) until the Ming period in China and until the surrender of the last Uighur Iduk-kut Ho-şang to the founder of the Ming dynasty (1368). Several Uighur people had had high administrative ranks and offices in the Jenghiz Mongolian State and the Uighur civilisation effects were felt and reflected in the east and west of Asia for centuries.