The State of the Karakhanids. History of occurrence and rulers on the territory of the Karakhanid state

2024 Author: Henry Conors | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-12 02:42

Toward the middle of the 10th century, the Karakhanid state arose on the territory of Kashgaria as a result of the merger of numerous Turkic tribes. This association was more military than political. Therefore, dynastic wars for territory and power were not alien to him. The name of the state was due to the name of one of its founders - Kara Khan.

The history of the Khanate is short but intense. Unfortunately, today researchers can judge him only by the annals of the Arab and Turkic representatives of the culture of that time. It left no historical traditions or other elements behind.

Establishment of the state

Until 940, the Karluks dominated the territory of Semirechye. Their Khaganate occupied vast territories, they intervened in international strife and started their own wars. But in 940 their power fell under the onslaught of Kashgaria. The capital of Balasagun was captured by the Turks, numerous tribes defeated the remnants of the army. After 2year, power goes to a new dynasty, so the emergence of the Karakhanid state begins.

Later, in the 10th century, the Karluks split into branches. But each of them subsequently converts to Islam and dissolves among the local population. By the way, it gets the common name "Turkmen". After the capture of Balasagun, Satuk Bogra Khan Abdulkerim takes power. He immediately accepts Islam and the title, obtained, of course, illegally.

Until 990, the rulers of the khanate conquer neighboring cities. They annex Taras and Ispidzhab. Later, the conquerors take power in the Samanid Khanate. So by the year 1000, the territory of the state is formed. Subsequently, it will be supplemented, but there are no significant expansions.

The Ancestor of the State

In 940, the Karluk Khaganate is almost completely destroyed. At this time, Satuk Bogra Khan receives the support of the Samanids, thanks to which he manages to overthrow his uncle Ogulchak. Subsequently, he subjugates Kashgar and Taraz.

In 942, Satug overthrows the power of Balasagun and receives the title of ruler of the Karakhanid state. He is the founder of the khanate. And it was from this time that the history of the Karakhanid state began.

Bogra Khan manages to expand the territories of the khanate from Muwerannahr to Kashgar and Semirechye. However, subsequent rulers of the state were not so strong. After the death of the ancestor, in 955, a split occurs and the central government gradually andsystematically losing its credibility.

Rulers

Very little is known about the rulers of the khanate. Historians know only who his ancestor was. The annals also preserved the names of some other khans.

The Karakhanid state had two main rulers. The western Khagan is under the rule of Bogr Kara-Kagan, the eastern one is under the rule of Arslan Kara-Khan. The first was much smaller in its territories, but here it was possible to hold power longer. The Eastern Khagan quickly disintegrated into small plots of land.

In 1030, Ibrahim ibn Nasr becomes the ruler. Under him, the state is divided into two parts. After 11 years, both khanates pass into the hands of the Karakitays.

Development of the State

The unique feature of the khanate is that it was not cohesive and united. It consisted of many divisions. Their native contemporaries are federations in Russia or states in the USA. Each lot had its own ruler. He had a lot of power. He even had the ability to mint his own coins.

In 960, the heir to the founder of the state converted to Islam. Then the era of writing begins. It is based on Arabic hieroglyphs. From this moment begins the cultural development of the khanate. However, the central government no longer represents the power that it used to be. It gradually falls apart until it finally falls into disrepair.

The capital of the Karakhanid state was moved several times due torapid change of central government. But for most of the history of the Khanate, it was located in the city of Balasagun.

Area in its heyday

The main composition of the lands is finally formed by the end of the 10th century. The territory of the Karakhanid state stretches from the Amu Darya and Syr Darya to Zhetysu and Kashgar.

The borders of the Khanate are as follows:

In the north - with the Kypchat Khanate.
In the northeast - with lakes Alakol and Balkhash.
In the east - with the possessions of the Uighur tribes.
In the west - with South Turkmenistan and the lower reaches of the Amu Darya.

Western borders did not expand as the Karakhanids met resistance from the Seljuks and Khorezmshahs. Subsequent attempts to expand the territory were unsuccessful.

Power

The rulers of the Karakhanid state were able to bring it to a new stage of development. The Turkic tribes gradually began to lead a settled way of life. Settlements and cities were built, the economy and culture developed.

The head of state was the khan (in some sources - khakan). Administrative control was carried out, respectively, from the palace of the ruler, called "Ord".

Khan had courtiers and assistants:

Tapukchi (upper and lower officials).
Viziers (advisers on various issues).
Kaput-bashi (heads of the guard).
Bitikchi (secretaries).

Most often, representatives of the nobility were appointed to positions. And of course, they were all close to the system of power. If desired, everyone could influence the khan in order to persuade himpass this or that law, start or end a war, look at some particular communities, and so on.

For state or military service, as well as for some other services rendered to the khanate or directly to the ruler, people were awarded lenns. They were land plots that could be used at one’s discretion (sow, rent to lower ranks of workers, sell, donate). These territories were inherited.

Political system

The political system of the khanate fully complied with the institute of commendation. The Karakhanid state consisted of many communities and settlements. Landowners or small artisans transferred themselves and their property under the patronage of more influential people. So at least they could choose their ruler and avoid feudal lawlessness. Despite the fact that the central government strictly monitored the behavior of officials, they still managed to oppress the population with taxes and other illegal acts.

The policy of the Samanids has been preserved in the agricultural districts. That is, there were city or village heads through whom the government was carried out.

With the nomadic areas, things were somewhat more complicated. The central government could exercise control only through the tribal elders, who, like the khan, had their own palaces. They were very powerful and it was virtually impossible to keep the nomadic tribes under control.

Best of myselffelt the top of the clergy. In addition to the fact that she possessed the lands granted by the khan, some territories were transferred to her as a gift. By the way, the last types of plots were not taxed.

Ikta and Iqtadars

The state of the Karakhanids was based on a military fief system of government. The khans granted their assistants or relatives the right to collect taxes from the population in a certain territory. They were called "ikta", their owners - "iktadars". However, it cannot be argued that these rights were unlimited.

The activities of the iktadars were regulated. Craftsmen and peasants living in the territory of the ikta did not go into slavery at all. They could go about their business, earn money, cultivate land, and so on. But at the request of their iktadar, they had to go to military service. The holder of the rights himself was not excluded, the khan expected to see him in his army.

Thanks to the iqtadars, it was possible to strengthen the power of the ruler and his entourage. With the help of taxes, the khan received funding. The share of the harvest was transferred to the maintenance of the army. The money was mainly spent on conquest, because at that time greatness was measured in the number of territories.

Falling

Having barely reached its heyday, the Karakhanid state is slowly declining. The khanates located around it do not play the first role at all. First, strife among themselves begins, a stronger ruler tried to subjugate neighboring communities.

When the reign passes to Arslan Khan, the central government finally loses its already weak authority. The war begins in 1056, which ends in defeat and loss of territories. Khan's heirs also perish in internecine strife. The central power passes from hand to hand, until finally it stops at Kadyr Khan Zhabrail. By 1102, he again unites the lands. The life of Kadyr-khan Zhabrail was short-lived, in an attempt to win back the territories he was captured. He was subsequently executed.

In 1141, the Karakhanid army was defeated. The dynasty of Khitan rulers begins. But for more than 50 years, individual Karakhanid communities managed to maintain their independence. And only by the beginning of the 13th century the state completely ceased to exist.

During the period of the Karakhanid state, there are significant changes in the economy of the Turkic tribes. On the territory of modern Kazakhstan, the majority of nomads are settling. Cities and culture develop. No wonder the mausoleums of Karakhan and Aisha-bibi are world-famous architectural monuments.