View source for Oghuz Yabgu State

{{mergeinto|Oghuz Turks|date=May 2016}} {{Refimprove|date=October 2010}}
{{Infobox Former Country
|native_name = 
|conventional_long_name = Oghuz Yabgu State
|common_name = Oghuz State
|
|continent = Asia
|region    = 
|country   = Turkistan
|era       = 8th–11th centuries
|status      = Kaganate
|year_start  = 750
|year_end    = 1055
|event_pre   = 
|date_pre    = 
|event_start = 
|date_start  = 
|event_end   = 
|date_end    = 
|p1          = Turkic Khaganate
|flag_p1     = Gok1.png
|p2          = 
|flag_p2     = 
|p3          = 
|flag_p3     = 
|s1          = Seljuq Empire|Seljuk Sultanate
|flag_s1     = Seljuqs Eagle.svg
|s2          = Kimek Khanate
|flag_s2     = Қимақтар.png
|image_flag  = 
|image_coat  =
|image_map   = AD 750OguzYabgu.png
|image_map_caption = Oguz Yabgu State in [[Kazakhstan]], 750–1055
|
|capital          = [[Jankent|Yangikent]]
|latd=44|latm=00|latNS=N|longd=62|longm=00|longEW=E
|area_km2         =1.5 mln
|area             = 1.5 mln km²
|national_motto   = 
|national_anthem  = 
|ethnic_groups    = Oguzes, Kumans, Kangars, Turgeshes
|common_languages = Turkic
|religion         = Tengriism
|currency         = 
|leader1      = 
|year_leader1 = 
|title_leader = [[Kаgan (title)|Oguz Yabgu]]
}}
{{History of the Turks pre-14th century}}
{{History of Kazakhstan}}
The '''Oguz Yabgu State''' ('''Oguz il''', meaning '''Oguz Land''', '''Oguz Country''', 750–1055) was a [[Turkic people|Turkic]] state, founded by [[Oghuz Turks|Oguz Turks]] in 766, located geographically in an area between the coasts of the [[Caspian Sea|Caspian]] and [[Aral Sea]]s. Oguz tribes occupied a vast territory in [[Kazakhstan]] along the [[Irgiz River (Kazakhstan)|Irgiz]], [[Yaik]], [[Emba (river)|Emba]], and [[Uil]] rivers, the Aral Sea area, the [[Syr Darya]] valley, the foothills of the [[Karatau Mountains]] in [[Tian Shan|Tien-Shan]], and the [[Chui River]] valley (see map). The Oguz political association developed in the 9th and 10th centuries in the basin of the middle and lower course of the Syr Darya and adjoining the modern western Kazakhstan steppes.

== Etymology ==
The etymology of the name "Oguz" is unclear. It was discussed many times in historical and philological literature. The term probably means "tribes", or the "tribal union", and then could turn into a collective ethnic name. The original Oguz areas were the south-eastern regions of [[Central Asia]]. The beginning of the early Oguz group formation is linked to the Western [[Zhetysu]] (often known, in Russian and other European languages, as Semirechye).

== History ==

=== Early history ===
The first reference of the Oguz State is by the Arab geographer [[Ya'qubi|Yaqubi]], who called Oguzes "kings". In Zhetysu the old Oguz capital was [[Guziya]]. The Chinese sources that ascend to the 7th and 8th centuries state that the Oguz confederation [[Toquz Oghuz|Tokuz Oguz]] (Chinese ''Gu-su'', ''Кut'' for Oguz) is consistently shown in the vicinity of Issyk Kul – Talas,<ref>Zuev Yu.A., ''Horse Tamgas from Vassal Princedoms (Translation of Chinese composition "Tanghuyao" of 8th–10th centuries)'', Kazakh SSR Academy of Sciences, Alma-Ata, I960, p. 133 (''In Russian'')</ref> from the Issyk Kul area the center of the Oguz confederation shifted to the lower course of the Syr Darya under pressure of the refugees of the Sary Turgesh tribe.<ref>Bartold W.W., ''"Sketch of the Jeti-su history"'', Frunze, 1943, pp. 20–21</ref><ref>"In the 8th century, Oguzes were already on Syr-darya outside of the ten arrows Türkic Kaganate ([[Western Turkic Kaganate]])". Zuev Yu.A., ''Horse Tamgas from Vassal Princedoms'', p. 134</ref>

In 766, after [[Karluks]] overran the [[Turgesh|Turgesh Kaganate]] in [[Zhetysu]] (southeastern modern Kazakhstan), Karluk tribes formed a Khanate centered there under the rule of a [[Yabgu]], and they occupied and transferred their capital to [[Suyab]]. By that time the bulk of the Uch-Karluk (''Three Karluks'') confederation had left the [[Altay people|Altai]], and the supremacy in Zhetysu passed to the Karluk tribes. After the Oguz confederation lost a struggle with the Karluks for leadership in the Turgesh Kaganate, a significant part of Zhetysu Oguzes migrated to the [[Karatau Mountains]] foothills and the valley of the [[Chu River]] in the [[Issyk Kul]] basin.

At the beginning of the 9th century the Oguz confederation, in alliance with [[Karluks]] and [[Kimek tribe|Kimaks]] destroyed the [[Kangar Union]] and captured the lower course of the Syr Darya river and the Aral steppes, displacing the Kangars and [[Pechenegs]]. The nomadic tribes of the Syr Darya Kangars were forced to join the Oguzes, and a part of them migrated to the west to the northern Black Sea region. The Oguzes moved their capital to [[Jankent|Yangikent]] and became known as Oguz Yabgu State.

The state was founded in [[Eni-Kent]] which was an Oguz [[Yayla (resort)|yayla]] (summer village). <!--it was a winter court, should be called "kishlak"--> Oguz il extended from "Issyk Kul and [[Olmaliq|Almalyk]], in the south, to [[Sayram (city)|Sairam]], in the west, to the city of [[Eni-Kent|Yangikent]], which stands at the mouth of the river Syr ([[Syr-darya]]), and to the [[Kara-Kum]] (desert)".<ref>Kononov A.N., ''Genealogy of Turkmens'', Moskow-Leningrad, USSR Academy of Sciences, 1958, p. 81 (Кононов А.Н., ''Родословная туркмен. Сочинение Абу-л-гази, хана хивинского'', Москва-Ленинград, АН СССР, 1958) (''In Russian'')</ref> The capital of the Oguz il was variously spelled [[Eni-Kent]], [[Yangikent]], [[Djanikand]], [[Jankent|Yenikent]], [[Yanikand]], all meaning ''New City'', and also in Arabic literature al-Kariya al-Hadisa and in Persian literature Deh-i Hay; presently it is a Central Asian ghost town [[Jankent]].

The state was ruled by the leader of the Oguz Turks with the title [[Yabgu]], which is similar to other Turkic ruling titles such as Khan and Kagan/Hakan, but initially with a status below Kagan/Hakan. The army was commanded by [[Subaşı (title)|Subaşı]]. "Sü" (''su'') means "Soldier" in Turkish and "başı" (''bashi'') means "the head of" or "the ruler of".

=== Political history ===
The Oguz State played an important role in the military and political history of Eurasia.

In 965 the Oguz State allied with [[Kievan Rus]] in a war against the [[Khazar Empire| 
Khazar Kaganate]]. In 985 the alliance with Kievan Rus defeated [[Volga Bulgaria]], which increased the political power of the Oguz State.

At the turn of the 10th–11th centuries, popular uprisings broke out against excessive taxation in the state. The revolts became especially strong in the second half of the 10th century, during the rule of [[Ali Yabgu]]. The split between the ruling Oguzes and [[Seljuq dynasty|Seljuk]] branch of Oguzes turned out to be detrimental to the state. The upheaval was used by the Seljuk branch, who led an uprising and took [[Jend]], but soon they were forced to leave the Jend area.

During the reign of the last Oguz Yabgu [[Shahmalik Yabgu|Shahmalik]] the state rebounded. In 1041 Shahmalik Yabgu conquered [[Khorezm]] from the [[Ghaznavids]], but two years later he was captured by the Seljuk forces and executed. Shahmalik Yabgu was the last ruler of the Oguz State.

Internal turmoil and conflict with the Seljuks weakened the Oguz State. The weakened state fell under attacks by  the [[Kipchak people|Kipchak]] tribes from the [[Kimek Khanate|Kimak Kaganate]]. Under the pressure of the Kipchaks, the two branches of the Oguz people split, a significant part of the Oguzes went to [[Eastern Europe]], and the Seljuk Oguzes left toward [[Asia Minor]]. Another part of the Oguzes fell under the rule of the [[Kara-Khanid Khanate|Karahanids]] and Seljuk rulers of [[Greater Khorasan|Khorasan]]. The remnants of those Oghuz defeated by the Kipchaks subsequently dissolved among the Turkic-speaking tribes of [[Dasht-e-Kipchak]]. The Oghuz tribes contributed to the formation of many of today's [[Turkic peoples]].

In the 11th century, Oguz migration to [[Persia]] and the [[Near East]] began. The movement was led by the head of the [[Kınık (tribe)|Kınık]] tribe [[Tughril]] and [[Chaghri Beg]], the grandchildren of Seljuk. This migrating group became, in time, the Seljuk Empire. In 1025 a part of the Seljuks settled in the territory of the modern [[Turkmenistan]], centered on the city of [[Nisa, Turkmenistan|Nysa]]. In 1034 – 1035, they were joined by Togrul bek's subjects. In 1038–1040, the Seljuks fought against [[Ghaznavids]] and captured [[Nishapur]]. Subsequently, they were able to create a huge state, which consisted of [[Asia Minor]], Persia, and parts of the Caucasus and Central Asia.

The Oguz il state existed for three centuries. Another Turkic group, [[Kipchaks]] and [[Kimeks]] of the [[Kimek Khanate|Kimek Kaganate]], ended the state by the 12th century. By that time, [[Seljuk|Selçuk Bey]] and his [[Kınık (tribe)]] headed to Persia to found their own Muslim state, which in the future would become the [[Great Seljuq Empire]], and a part of the state population moved eastward to the N.Pontic areas.

== Political system ==
The economic base of society was private ownership of livestock. Little is known about the old farming communities in the oases, river valleys, and wetlands. The cities continued to be populated by traders and artisans.

The title of the elected ruler was [[Yabgu]]. The power was hereditary within a ruling clan. The heir to the throne was called ''Inal'', they were brought up by an ''Atabek'' tutor. Elections of Yabgu were conducted at the tribal assemblies. The rulers were chosen by the codex of unwritten rules of customary law – "tore", from the most powerful clans. The power of the supreme ruler was limited by the council of largest military-tribal aristocracy. The wives of the rulers bore a title "Khatun" and played a significant role in the court life. Yabgu was assisted by regional rules titled ''Kul-Eerkins''. An important place was occupied by warlords. A head of the army was called ''Subashi'', from su – ''army'' and ''bash'' – head. The ''Subashi'' was supported by a military council, and actively interfered in political events.

The Oguz States was subdivided into ''uruks'' and ''aimaks''. The term ''uruk'' designated tribal divisions, ''aimak'' was an administrative district. The clans and tribes united into larger tribal alliances were known as ''il'' (country). By the end of the 10th century formed a formal administrative apparatus and a system of regular taxes.

The main religion was the traditional [[Tengrism]], and later [[Islam]].

== Ethnic composition ==
The powerbase of the Oguz State were semi-nomadic and nomadic tribes of Zhetysu and Siberia: ''[[Khalaj people|Khalaj]]'', ''[[Uigurs]]'', ''[[Djagra]]'', ''[[Charuk]]'', ''[[Karluks|Karluk]]'', ''[[Imura]]'', ''[[Bayandur]]'', ''[[Kayı tribe|Kai]]'', and the remaining tribes and sedentary population of the Kangar Union that submitted to the  Oguz Yabgu. The Oguz State was heterogeneous in ethnic terms. In urban and rural areas lived Turkic and Horezmian-speaking population. The reformation of the Oguz ethnic community was a complex and lengthy process.

According to the [[Mahmud Kashgari]] (11th century) testimony, Oguz confederation consisted of 24 tribes, of which 12 tribes were ''Buzuks'' or ''Bazouk'' (Turkish: ''Bozoklar'' - Grey Arrows), and 12 tribes were ''Uchuks'' (Turkish: ''Üçoklar'' - Three Arrows). The Buzuk wing had a privileged status. Later authors, notably [[Kisai Marvazi|Marvazi]], describe only about 12 tribes. The discrepancy between the sources probably resulted from the Oguz division into two exogamous parts, Buzuks and Uchuks belonging respectively to the right and the left wing of their army. Oguz States share in the Uruk and aimags. The term "Uruk" designated tribal divisions. Clans and tribes, united into larger tribal alliances known as "il" (the country).

== References ==
* Kusainova M.A., 2006, ''History of Kazakhstan'', Shyn Kіtap, ISBN 9965-9784-4-1 (Кусаинова М.А., 2006, ''История Казахстана'', Шың Кітап) ''in Russian''
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{{Succession box|title= Oguz Il state |before= Jeti-su [[Oghuz Turks#Origins|Oguz]] confederation|after= [[Great Seljuq Empire|Seljuq Empire]]|years=8 c. – 12 c.}}
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{{Turkic topics}}

[[Category:Historical Turkic states]]
[[Category:Turkic states]]
[[Category:Turkic dynasties]]
[[Category:History of the Turkic peoples]]
[[Category:Turkic peoples]]
[[Category:Turkic tribes]]
[[Category:History of the Turkish people]]
[[Category:Oghuz Turks]]
[[Category:Seljuq dynasty]]
[[Category:National histories|Turkish]]
[[Category:History of Kazakhstan| ]]
[[Category:History of Uzbekistan| ]]
[[Category:History of Turkmenistan| ]]