Turkic peoples sayfasının kaynağını görüntüle

{{pp-semi-indef}}
{{Infobox ethnic group
|image      = [[File:Map-TurkicLanguages.png|320px]]
|caption    = The countries and autonomous regions where a Turkic language has official status and/or is spoken by a majority.
|population = Approx. 140–160 million<ref>Brigitte Moser, Michael Wilhelm Weithmann, Landeskunde Türkei: Geschichte, Gesellschaft und Kultur, Buske Publishing, 2008, p. 173</ref><ref>Deutsches Orient-Institut, Orient, Vol. 41, Alfred Röper Publushing, 2000, p. 611</ref>
|region1    = {{flagcountry|Turkey}}
|pop1       = 57,500,000–61,500,000<ref name="cia">{{cite web|url=https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/tu.html |title=Turkey |publisher=The World Factbook |accessdate=21 December 2014}} "Population: 81,619,392 (July 2014 est.)" "Ethnic groups: Turkish 70–75%, Kurdish 18%, other minorities 7–12% (2008 est.)" 70% of 81.6m = 57.1m, 75% of 81.6m = 61.2m</ref>
|region2    = {{flagcountry|Uzbekistan}}
|pop2       = 25,200,000<ref name="cia2">{{cite web|url=https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/uz.html |title=Uzbekistan |publisher=The World Factbook |accessdate=21 December 2014}} "Population: 28,929,716 (July 2014 est.)" "Ethnic groups: Uzbek 80%, Russian 5.5%, Tajik 5%, Kazakh 3%, Karakalpak 2.5%, Tatar 1.5%, other 2.5% (1996 est.)" Assuming Uzbek, Kazakh, Karakalpak and Tartar are included as Turks, 80% + 3% + 2.5% + 1.5% = 87%. 87% of 28.9m = 25.2m</ref>
|region3    = {{flagcountry|Iran}}
|pop3       = 15,000,000<ref name="eb">{{cite web|url=http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/46833/Azerbaijani|title=Azerbaijani (people)|work=Encyclopædia Britannica|accessdate=24 January 2012}}</ref>
|region4    = {{flagcountry|Russia}}
|pop4       = 12,300,000<ref name="cia4">{{cite web|url=https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/kz.html |title=Kazakhstan |publisher=The World Factbook |accessdate=21 December 2014}} "Population: 17,948,816 (July 2014 est.)" "Ethnic groups: Kazakh (Qazaq) 63.1%, Russian 23.7%, Uzbek 2.9%, Ukrainian 2.1%, Uighur 1.4%, Tatar 1.3%, German 1.1%, other 4.4% (2009 est.)" Assuming Kazakh, Uzbek, Uighur and Tatar are included as Turks, 63.1% + 2.9% + 1.4% + 1.3% = 68.7%. 68.7% of 17.9m = 12.3m</ref>
|region5    = {{flagcountry|Kazakhstan}}
|pop5       = 12,009,969<ref>[[:ru:Этно-языковой состав населения России]]</ref>
|region6    = {{flagcountry|China}}
|pop6       = 11,647,000<ref name="cia5">{{cite web|url=https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/ch.html |title=China |publisher=The World Factbook |accessdate=13 May 2014}}</ref>
|region7    = {{flagcountry|Azerbaijan}}
|pop7       = 9,780,780<ref name="cia6">{{cite web|url=https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/aj.html |title=Azerbaijan |publisher=The World Factbook |accessdate=30 July 2016}} "Population: 9,780,780 (July 2015 est.)"</ref>
|region8    = {{flagicon|European Union}} [[European Union]]
|pop8       = 5,876,318
|region9    = {{flagcountry|Turkmenistan}}
|pop9       = 4,500,000<ref name="cia7">{{cite web|url=https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/ux.html |title=Turkmenistan |publisher=The World Factbook |accessdate=13 May 2014}}</ref>
|region10   = {{flagcountry|Kyrgyzstan}}
|pop10      = 4,500,000<ref name="cia8">{{cite web|url=https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/kg.html |title=Kyrgyzstan |publisher=The World Factbook |accessdate=13 May 2014}}</ref>
|region11    = {{flagcountry|Afghanistan}}
|pop11       = 3,500,000<ref name="cia9">{{cite web|url=https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/af.html |title=Afghanistan |publisher=The World Factbook |accessdate=13 May 2014}}</ref>
|region12    = {{flagcountry|Iraq}}
|pop12       = 1,500,000<ref name="cia10">{{cite web|url=https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/iz.html |title=Iraq |publisher=The World Factbook |accessdate=13 May 2014}}</ref>
|region13    = {{flagcountry|Tajikistan}}
|pop13       = 1,200,000<ref name="cia11">{{cite web|url=https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/ti.html |title=Tajikistan |publisher=The World Factbook |accessdate=13 May 2014}}</ref>
|region14    = {{flagcountry|United States}}
|pop14       = 1,000,000+<ref>{{cite web|url=http://m.stlamerican.com/reader_interaction/letters_to_the_editor/article_a906f9d6-4a8f-11e0-9d87-001cc4c03286.html|title=Obama, recognize us|work=St. Louis American|accessdate=18 March 2015}}</ref>
|region15  = {{flagcountry|Syria}}
|pop15     = 800,000-1,000,000+<ref name="Deutsches Orient Institut">Nahost-Informationsdienst ({{ISSN|0949-1856}}): Presseausschnitte zu Politik, Wirtschaft und Gesellschaft in Nordafrika und dem Nahen und Mittleren Osten. Autors: Deutsches Orient–Institut; Deutsches Übersee–Institut. Hamburg: Deutsches Orient–Institut, 1996, seite 33.{{pull quote|The number of Turkmens in Syria is not fully known, with unconfirmed estimates ranging between 800,000 and one million.}}</ref>
|region16    = {{flagcountry|Pakistan}}
|pop16       = 500,000<ref name="cia12">{{cite web|url=https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/pk.html |title=Pakistan |publisher=The World Factbook |accessdate=13 May 2014}}</ref>
|region17    = {{flagicon|North Cyprus}} [[North Cyprus]]
|pop17       = 313,626<ref>[http://www.devplan.org/Ecosos/BOOK/SEG-2014.pdf TRNC] SPO, Economic and Social Indicators 2014, pages=2–3</ref>
|region18    = {{flagcountry|Australia}}
|pop18       = 293,500
|region19    = {{flagcountry|Georgia}}
|pop19       = 305,539<ref name="cia13">{{cite web|url=https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/gg.html |title=Georgia |publisher=The World Factbook |accessdate=13 May 2014}}</ref>
|region20  = {{flag|Ukraine}}
|pop20     = 275,300<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ukrcensus.gov.ua/eng/results/general/nationality|title=Results / General results of the census / National composition of population|accessdate=2007-08-05|date=December 5, 2001|work=[[Ukrainian Census (2001)|All-Ukrainian Census, 2001]]}}</ref>
|region21   = {{flagcountry|Saudi Arabia}}
|pop21      = 224,460

|region24   = {{flagcountry|Moldova}}
|pop24      = 154,461<ref name="cia15">{{cite web|url=https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/md.html |title=Moldova |publisher=The World Factbook |accessdate=13 May 2014}}</ref>
|region25   = {{flagcountry|Mongolia}}
|pop25      = 115,190<ref name="cia16">{{cite web|url=https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/mg.html |title=Mongolia |publisher=The World Factbook |accessdate=13 May 2014}}</ref>
|region26   = {{flagcountry|Republic of Macedonia}}
|pop26      = 81,900<ref name="cia17">{{cite web|url=https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/mk.html |title=Macedonia |publisher=The World Factbook |accessdate=13 May 2014}}</ref>
| langs      = [[Turkic languages]]
| rels       = 
[[Islam]]<br />
<small>([[Sunni Islam|Sunni]]{{·}}[[Nondenominational Muslims]]{{·}}[[Cultural Muslim]]{{·}}[[Quranist Muslim]]{{·}}[[Alevism|Alevi]]{{·}}[[Twelver Shia]]{{·}}[[Ja'fari]])</small><br />
[[Christianity]]<br />
<small>([[Eastern Orthodox Church|Eastern Orthodox Christianity]])</small><br />
[[Judaism]]<br />
<small>([[History of the Jews in Europe|Djudios Turkos]]{{·}}[[Sabbatai Zevi|Sabbataists]]{{·}}[[Crimean Karaites|Karaites]])</small><br />
[[Irreligion]]<br />
<small>([[Agnosticism]]{{·}}[[Atheism]])</small><br />
[[Animism]], [[Tengrism]], [[Shamanism]], [[Manichaeism|Mani]]
}}

The '''Turkic peoples''' are a collection of [[ethnic group]]s that live in central, eastern, northern, and western Asia as well as parts of eastern Europe. They speak languages belonging to the [[Turkic languages|Turkic language family]].<ref name="Turkic people">[http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/609972/Turkic-peoples Turkic people], [[Encyclopædia Britannica]], Online Academic Edition, 2010</ref> They share, to varying degrees, certain cultural traits and historical backgrounds. The term ''Turkic'' represents a broad [[ethno-linguistic group]] of peoples including existing societies such as [[Altai people|Altai]], [[Azerbaijani people|Azerbaijanis]], [[Balkars]], [[Bashkirs]], [[Chuvashes]], [[Crimean Karaites]], [[Gagauz people|Gagauz]], [[Karachays]], [[Karakalpaks]], [[Kazakh people|Kazakhs]], [[Khakas people|Khakas]], [[Krymchaks]], [[Kyrgyz people]], [[Nogais]], [[Qashqai people|Qashqai]], [[Tatars]], [[Turkmens]], [[Turkish people]], [[Tuvans]], [[Uyghurs]], [[Uzbeks]], and [[Yakuts]] and as well as ancient and medieval states such as [[Dingling]], [[Bulgars]], [[Alat tribe|Alat]], [[Basmyl]], [[Onogurs]], [[Shatuo]], [[Chuban]], [[Göktürks]], [[Oghuz Turks]], [[Kankalis]], [[Khazars]], [[Khilji dynasty|Khiljis]], [[Kipchaks]], [[Cumans|Kumans]], [[Karluks]], [[Bahri Mamluks]], [[Ottoman Turks]], [[Seljuks|Seljuk Turks]], [[Tiele people|Tiele]], [[Timurid Dynasty|Timurids]], [[Turgesh]]es, [[Yenisei Kirghiz]], and possibly [[Huns]], [[Tuoba]], and [[Xiongnu]].<ref name="Turkic people"/><ref name="Pritsak O 1982">[[Omeljan Pritsak|Pritsak O.]] & [[Norman Golb|Golb. N]]: ''Khazarian Hebrew Documents of the Tenth Century'', Ithaca: Cornell Univ. Press, 1982.</ref><ref>"[http://education.yahoo.com/reference/encyclopedia/entry/Timur Timur]", The [[Columbia Encyclopedia]], Sixth Edition, 2001–05, [[Columbia University Press]].</ref><ref>[[Encyclopædia Britannica]] article: [http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-26937/Islamic-world Consolidation & expansion of the Indo-Timurids], Online Edition, 2007.</ref><ref>{{cite book|last1=Walton|first1=,Linda|title=World History: Journeys from Past to Present|page=210|date=2013|ref=https://books.google.se/books?id=Os-g5vLFfBcC&pg=PA210&lpg=PA210&dq=tabgach+turkic&source=bl&ots=BmDhsU24hp&sig=a7chSDegS4kzcRRNAYQdWvutNvA&hl=sv&sa=X&ei=IaCpVPCaNMbMygPFg4KQCw&ved=0CDwQ6AEwBDgK#v=onepage&q=tabgach%20turkic&f=false}}</ref>

==Etymology==
[[File:Kashgari map.jpg|thumb|left|150px|Map from Kashgari's ''Diwan'', showing the distribution of Turkic tribes.]]
The first known mention of the term ''Turk'' ([[Old Turkic]]: 𐱅𐰇𐰼𐰰 ''Türük''<ref name="KulteginMC">[http://irq.kaznpu.kz/?lang=e&mod=1&tid=1&oid=15&m=1 Kultegin's Memorial Complex, TÜRIK BITIG] [[Khöshöö Tsaidam Monuments]]</ref><ref name="BilgeKaganMC">[http://irq.kaznpu.kz/?lang=e&mod=1&tid=1&oid=16&m=1 Bilge Kagan's Memorial Complex, TÜRIK BITIG] Khöshöö Tsaidam Monuments</ref><ref name="TonyukukMC">[http://irq.kaznpu.kz/?lang=e&mod=1&tid=1&oid=17&m=1 Tonyukuk's Memorial Complex, TÜRIK BITIG] [[Bain Tsokto Monument]]</ref> or 𐱅𐰇𐰼𐰰:𐰜𐰇𐰛 ''Kök Türük''<ref name="KulteginMC"/><ref name="BilgeKaganMC"/> {{zh|突厥}}, [[Old Tibetan]]: duruggu/durgu (meaning "origin"),<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?hl=en&id=TFAdAQAAMAAJ&focus=searchwithinvolume&q=Duruggu+Tibetliler Tarihte Türk devletleri, Volume 1.] Ankara Üniversitesi Basımevi, 1987. p. 1.</ref><ref>Moše Weinfeld. [https://books.google.com/books?hl=en&id=jc3YAAAAMAAJ&focus=searchwithinvolume&q=durgu+duruggu Social Justice in Ancient Israel and in the Ancient Near East.] 1995. p. 66: "For the concept of durgu | duruggu and its connection to piY (in its meaning "origin"), see H. Tadmor, (above n. 25), p. 28"</ref> [[Pinyin]]: Tūjué, [[Middle Chinese]] ([[Guangyun]]): {{IPA-ltc|tʰuot-küot|}}) applied to a Turkic group was in reference to the [[Göktürks]] in the 6th century. A letter by [[Ishbara Qaghan]] to [[Emperor Wen of Sui]] in 585 described him as "the Great Turk Khan."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://newasia.proj.hkedcity.net/resources/25/beishi/index.phtml?section_num=099|title=新亞研究所 – 典籍資料庫|publisher=|accessdate=18 March 2015}}</ref> The [[Orkhon inscriptions|Orhun inscriptions]] (735 CE) use the terms ''Turk'' and ''Turuk''.

Previous use of similar terms are of unknown significance, although some strongly feel that they are evidence of the historical continuity of the term and the people as a linguistic unit since early times. This includes Chinese records [[Spring and Autumn Annals]] referring to a neighbouring people as [[Beidi]].<ref>[http://members.multimania.nl/kerkuk/ITP.html The Turkmen]</ref>

During the first century CE, [[Pomponius Mela]] refers to the "Turcae" in the forests north of the [[Sea of Azov]], and [[Pliny the Elder]] lists the "Tyrcae" among the people of the same area.<ref>Pliny, ''Natural History'' – Harvard University Press, vol. II (Libri III-VII); reprinted 1961, p. 351</ref><ref>Pomponius Mela's Description of the World,Pomponius Mela, University of Michigan Press, 1998, p. 67</ref><ref>Sevan Nişanyan, Çağdaş Türkçenin Etimolojik Sözlüğü, İstanbul, 2009 ISBN 9789752896369</ref><ref>Abdulkadir İnan, Urartu yazıtında ve Romalı Plinius'un tarihinde «Türk Adı» var mı? Belleten, TTK, Cilt. XlI, p. 45, 1948, pp. 277–278</ref><ref>dile Ayda, Une Theorle Sur L'Orlglne Du Mot «Türk», «Türk» kelimesinin Menşei Hakkında Bir Nazariye, TTK, Belleten. Cilt. XL., No. 158, Türk Tarih Kurumu Basımevi, Nisan 1976, s. 229 – 247</ref><ref>Hamit Koşay, ldil – Ural bölgesindeki Türkler'In Menşei Hakkında, V. Türk Tarih Kongresi: 12–17 Nisan 1956, TTK. Basımevi. Ankara 1960. s. 232–243</ref><ref>Laszlo Rasonyi, Dünya'da Türklük, Türk Kültürünü Araştırma Enstitüsü Yayınları. Ayyıldız Matbaası, Ankara 1974</ref><ref>Prof. Dr. Ercümend Kuran, Türk Adı ve Türklük Kavramı, Türk Kültürü Dergisi, Yıl, XV, S. 174, Nisan 1977. s. 18–20.</ref> There are references to certain groups in antiquity whose names could be the original form of "Türk/Türük" such as [[Togarmah#Turkic history|''Togarma'']], ''Turukha''/''[[Turushka|Turuška]]'', [[Turukkaeans|''Turukku'']] and so on. But the information gap is so substantial that we cannot firmly connect these ancient people to the modern Turks.<ref>Boris Altschüler. [https://books.google.com/books?id=Gp3XAAAAMAAJ&focus=searchwithinvolume&q=Turk+Turukha Die Aschkenasim: Letzte Skythen, erste Europäer – von den zehn verschollenen Stämmen Israels zu den Awaren und Khasaren / Boris Altschüler, Volume 1.]  2006. p. 192: "Das Ethnonym "Turk" wird mit dem von Herodot überlieferten Namen des ersten skythischen Königs [Targitaos] oder auch mit dem Namen des Ahnherrn "Togarma" aus dem Alten Testament, mit "Turukha/Turuska" aus indischen Quellen und "Turukku" aus assyrischen Dokumenten und anderen schriftlichen Denkmälern in Verbindung gebracht." (P. Golden)</ref><ref>Peter B. Golden, Introduction to the History of the Turkic People, p. 12: "... source (Herod.IV.22) and other authors of antiquity, Togarma of the Old Testament, Turukha/Turuska of Indic sources, Turukku of Assyrian..."</ref><ref>German Archaeological Institute. Department Teheran, Archaeologische Mitteilungen aus Iran, Vol. 19, Dietrich Reimer, 1986, p. 90</ref> Turkologist András Róna-Tas posits that the term ''Turk'' could be rooted in the [[East Iranian languages|East Iranian]] [[Saka language]]<ref name="Róna-Tas">András Róna-Tas, Hungarians and Europe in the early Middle Ages: an introduction to early Hungarian history, Central European University Press, 1999, p. 281: "We can now reconstruct the history of the ethnic name Turk as follows. The word is of East Iranian, most probably Saka, origin, and is the name of a ruling tribe whose leading clan Ashina conquered the Turks, reorganized them, but itself became rapidly Turkified."</ref> or in Turkic.<ref>Golden, Peter B. "Some Thoughts on the Origins of the Turks and the Shaping of the Turkic Peoples". (2006) In: [https://books.google.com/books?id=8-OilJCX1moC Contact and Exchange in the Ancient World]. Ed. Victor H. Mair. University of Hawai'i Press. p. 143: "Subsequently, "Tùrk" would find a suirable Turkic etymology, being conflated with the word tùrk, which means one in the prime of youth, powerful, mighty (Rona-Tas 1991,10–13)."</ref> However, it is generally accepted that the term "Türk" is ultimately derived from the [[Old Turkic language|Old-Turkic]] migration-term<ref>(Bŭlgarska akademii︠a︡ na naukite. Otdelenie za ezikoznanie/ izkustvoznanie/ literatura, Linguistique balkanique, Vol. 27–28, 1984, p. 17</ref> 𐱅𐰇𐰼𐰰 ''Türük''/''Törük'',<ref name="Nisanyan"/><ref>Murat Ocak, The Turks: Early ages, Yeni Türkiye, 2002</ref> which means "created", "born",<ref>Faruk Suümer, Oghuzes (Turkmens): History, Tribal organization, Sagas, Turkish World Research Foundation, 1992, p. 16)</ref> or "strong",<ref>[[American Heritage Dictionary]] (2000). [http://www.bartleby.com/ "The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language: Fourth Edition – "Turk""]. bartleby.com. Retrieved 2006-12-07.</ref> from the Old Turkic word root ''*türi-''/''töri-'' ("tribal root, (mythic) ancestry; take shape, to be born, be created, arise, spring up") and conjugated with Old Turkic suffix 𐰰 (''-ik''), perhaps from [[Proto-Turkic]] ''*türi-k'' ("lineage, ancestry"),<ref name="Nisanyan">[http://www.nisanyansozluk.com/?k=Türk “Türk”] in ''Turkish Etymological Dictionary'', Sevan Nişanyan.</ref> from the Proto-Turkic word root ''*töŕ'' ("foundation, root; origin, ancestors"),<ref name="Nisanyan2">[http://www.nisanyansozluk.com/?k=türe-&lnk=1 “türe-”] in ''Turkish Etymological Dictionary'', Sevan Nişanyan.</ref><ref>[http://starling.rinet.ru/cgi-bin/response.cgi?single=1&basename=/data/alt/turcet&text_number=+854&root=config “*töŕ”] in [[Sergei Starostin]], [[Vladimir Dybo]], Oleg Mudrak (2003), Etymological Dictionary of the Altaic Languages, Leiden: Brill Academic Publishers.</ref> possibly from a Proto-[[Altaic]] source ''*t`ŏ̀ŕe'' ("law, regulation").<ref>[http://starling.rinet.ru/cgi-bin/response.cgi?single=1&basename=%2fdata%2falt%2faltet&text_number=2435&root=config “*t`ŏ̀ŕe”] in [[Sergei Starostin]], [[Vladimir Dybo]], Oleg Mudrak (2003), Etymological Dictionary of the Altaic Languages, Leiden: Brill Academic Publishers.</ref> This etymological concept is also related to Old Turkic word stems '[[wikt:tür|tür]]' ("root, ancestry, race, kind of, sort of"), '[[wikt:türemek|türi-]]' ("to bring together, to collect"), '[[wikt:töre|törü]]' ("law, custom") and '[[wikt:töz|töz]]' ("substance").<ref name="Nisanyan"/>

The earliest Turkic-speaking peoples identifiable in Chinese sources are the Dingling, Gekun(Jiankun), and Xinli, located in South Siberia.<ref>THE PEOPLES OF THE STEPPE FRONTIER IN EARLY CHINESE SOURCES, Edwin G. Pulleyblank, page 35</ref><ref>Studies on the Peoples and Cultures of the Eurasian Steppes, PETER B. GOLDEN, page 27, http://www.academia.edu/9609971/Studies_on_the_Peoples_and_Cultures_of_the_Eurasian_Steppes</ref> The Chinese [[Book of Zhou]] (7th century) presents an etymology of the name ''Turk'' as derived from "helmet",  explaining that taken this name refers to the shape of the [[Altai Mountains]].{{Citation needed|date=February 2012}} According to Persian tradition, as reported by 11th-century ethnographer [[Mahmud al-Kashgari|Mahmud of Kashgar]]  and various other traditional Islamic scholars and historians, the name "Turk" stems from ''Tur'', one of the sons of [[Japheth]] (see [[Turan]]).

During the Middle Ages, various Turkic peoples of the Eurasian steppe were subsumed under the identity of the "[[Scythians]]".<ref name="G. Moravcsik, p. 236-39">G. Moravcsik, ''Byzantinoturcica'' II, p. 236–39</ref> Between 400 CE and the 16th century, Byzantine sources use the name Σκύθαι (''Skuthai'') in reference to twelve different Turkic peoples.<ref name="G. Moravcsik, p. 236-39"/>

In the modern [[Turkish language]] as used in the [[Republic of Turkey]], a distinction is made between "Turks" and the "Turkic peoples" in loosely speaking: the term ''Türk'' corresponds specifically to the "Turkish-speaking" people (in this context, "Turkish-speaking" is considered the same as "Turkic-speaking"), while the term ''[[Turki|Türki]]'' refers generally to the people of modern "Turkic Republics" (''Türki Cumhuriyetler'' or ''Türk Cumhuriyetleri''). However, the proper usage of the term is based on [[Turkic languages|the linguistic classification]] in order to avoid any [[political]] sense. In short, the term ''Türki'' can be used for ''Türk''  or vice versa.<ref>[[Jean-Paul Roux]], ''Historie des Turks – Deux mille ans du Pacifique á la Méditerranée''. [[Fayard|Librairie Arthème Fayard]], 2000.</ref>

==History==

===Origins and early expansion===

{{Main article|Turkic migrations|Turkic tribal confederations|Nomadic empires}}
{{Further information|Xiongnu|Huns|Göktürks}}
{{History of the Turks pre-14th century}}
[[File:2006-07 altaj belucha.jpg|thumb|250px|left|The top of Belukha in the [[Altay Mountains]] in Mongolia is shown here. The mountain range is thought to be the birthplace of the Turkic people.]]
[[File:East-Hem 500bc.jpg|thumb|250px|left|Eastern Hemisphere in 500 BCE.]]

It is generally agreed that the first Turkic people lived in a region extending from [[Central Asia]] to [[Siberia]], with the majority of them living in China historically. Historically they were established after the 6th century BCE.<ref name="Peter Zieme 2006, p. 64">Peter Zieme: The Old Turkish Empires in Mongolia. In: Genghis Khan and his heirs. The Empire of the Mongols. Special tape for Exhibition 2005/2006, p. 64</ref> The earliest separate Turkic peoples appeared on the peripheries of the late [[Xiongnu]] confederation about 200 BCE<ref name="Peter Zieme 2006, p. 64"/> (contemporaneous with the Chinese [[Han Dynasty]]).<ref name="Findley 2005, p. 29">Findley (2005), p. 29.</ref> Turkic people may be related to the Xiongnu, [[Dingling]] and [[Tiele people]]. According to the ''[[Book of Wei]]'', the Tiele people were the remnants of the Chidi (赤狄), the red [[Beidi|Di]] people competing with the [[Jin (Chinese state)|Jin]] in the [[Spring and Autumn period]].<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.xjass.com/ls/content/2010-06/11/content_150662.htm|title= 丁零—铁勒的西迁及其所建西域政权|publisher=|accessdate= 18 March 2015}}</ref> Turkic tribes such as the [[Khazars]] and [[Pechenegs]] probably lived as [[nomad]]s for many years before establishing the [[Turkic Khaganate]] or ''Göktürk Empire'' in the 6th century. These were herdsmen and nobles who were searching for new pastures and wealth. The first mention of Turks was in a [[History of China#Imperial era|Chinese]] text that mentioned trade between Turk tribes and the [[Sogdians]] along the [[Silk Road]].<ref>"Etienne de la Vaissiere", ''[[Encyclopædia Iranica]]'' article:[http://www.iranica.com/newsite/articles/ot_grp7/ot_sogd_trade_20041201.html Sogdian Trade], 1 December 2004.</ref>  The first recorded use of "Turk" as a political name appears as a 6th-century reference to the word pronounced in Modern Chinese as ''[[Tujue]]''. The [[Ashina]] clan migrated from Li-jien (modern [[Zhelai Zhai]]) to the [[Juan Juan]] seeking inclusion in their confederacy and protection from the prevalent dynasty. The tribe were famed [[metalsmith]]s and were granted land near a mountain [[quarry]] which looked like a [[helmet]], from which they were said to have gotten their name 突厥 (''tūjué''). A century later their power had increased such that they conquered the [[Juan Juan]] and established the Gök Empire.<ref name="Carter V. Findley"/>

Turkic peoples originally used their own alphabets, like [[Old Turkic alphabet|Orkhon and Yenisey]] runiforms, and later the [[Old Uyghur alphabet|Uyghur alphabet]]. Traditional national and cultural symbols of the Turkic peoples include [[wolf|wolves]] in [[Turkic mythology]] and tradition; as well as the color blue, [[iron]], and fire. [[Turquoise]] blue (the word ''turquoise'' comes from the [[French language|French]] word meaning "Turkish") is the color of the stone turquoise still used in [[jewelry]] and as a protection against [[evil eye]].

It has often been suggested that the Xiongnu, mentioned in Han Dynasty records, were [[Proto-Turkic language|Proto-Turkic]] speakers.<ref>Silk-Road:[http://www.silk-road.com/artl/xiongnu1.shtml Xiongnu]</ref><ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.yeniturkiye.com/display.asp?c=6010|title= Yeni Turkiye Research and Publishing Center|publisher=|accessdate=18 March 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.historyfiles.co.uk/FeaturesFarEast/TurkicIntro.htm|title= An Introduction to the Turkic Tribes|publisher= |accessdate=18 March 2015}}</ref><ref>{{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091027144739/http://geocities.com/cevatturkeli/ctbb-his1.htm |date=October 27, 2009 |title=Early Turkish History }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.byegm.gov.tr/YAYINLARIMIZ/kitaplar/Turkey2005/content/english/110-111.htm |title= An outline of Turkish History until 1923.|publisher=|accessdate= 18 March 2015}}</ref> Although little is known for certain about the Xiongnu language(s), it seems likely that at least a considerable part of Xiongnu tribes spoke a Turkic language.<ref>Lebedynsky (2006), p. 59.</ref> However, some scholars see a possible connection with the [[Iranian languages|Iranian]]-speaking [[Sakas]].<ref>Beckwith (2009), pp. 72–73 and 404–405, nn. 51–52.</ref> Some scholars believe they were probably a confederation of various ethnic and linguistic groups.<ref>Nicola di Cosmo, Ancient China and its Enemies, S. 163ff.</ref><ref>{{cite book|last= Ebrey|first= Patricia Buckley|title= The Cambridge Illustrated History of China|year= 2010|edition= 2nd|publisher= Cambridge University Press|isbn= 978-0-521-12433-1|url= https://books.google.com/?id=vr81YoYK0c4C&pg=PA69&dq=%22Xiongnu+Confederation%22#v=onepage&q=%22Xiongnu%20Confederation%22&f=false|page= 69}}</ref> Genetics research in 2003 on skeletons from 2000 year old Xiongnu necropolis in Mongolia found some individuals with DNA sequences also present in some modern-day Turks, suggesting that a Turkish component had emerged in the Xiongnu tribe at the end of the Xiongnu period.<ref>{{cite journal |authors= Keyser-Tracqui C., Crubezy E., Ludes B. |title= Nuclear and mitochondrial DNA analysis of a 2,000-year-old necropolis in the Egyin Gol Valley of Mongolia |journal= American Journal of Human Genetics |year= 2003 |volume= 73 |issue= 2 |pages= 247–260 |pmid= 12858290 |pmc= 1180365 |doi= 10.1086/377005}}</ref><ref>Nancy Touchette [http://www.genomenewsnetwork.org/articles/07_03/ancient.shtml Ancient DNA Tells Tales from the Grave] "Skeletons from the most recent graves also contained DNA sequences similar to those in people from present-day Turkey. This supports other studies indicating that Turkic tribes originated at least in part in Mongolia at the end of the Xiongnu period."</ref><!-- Deleted image removed:  [[File:Kultigin monument.jpg|thumb|left|165px|Göktürk stele from [[Orkhon Valley]]. Created by Yollyk-Tegin Khan in memory of his father and uncle Bagha [[Kul Tigin|Kul Tegin]]]]  -->

In 2009, archaeologists found Turkic [[balbal]]s which are 2000 year old.<ref name="http://www.tika.gov.tr/en/news/tika_supports_archaeological_digs_in_kazakhstan-19322">{{cite web|last1=TIKA|title=TIKA supports archaeological digs in Kazakhstan}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|last1=Fethi Ahmet Yüksel|title=Kazakistan Kumay Vadisi Kumay Türk Arkeoloji-Etnografya Kompleksi 2013 Yılı Arkeojeofizik Çalışmaları|url=http://www.academia.edu/11056820/Kazakistan_Kumay_Vadisi_Kumay_T%C3%BCrk_Arkeoloji-Etnografya_Kompleksi_2013_Y%C4%B1l%C4%B1_Arkeojeofizik_%C3%87al%C4%B1%C5%9Fmalar%C4%B1}}</ref>

According to another archeological and genetic study in 2010, the DNA found in three skeletons in 2000-year-old elite [[Xiongnu]] cemetery in Northeast Asia belonged to C3, D4 and R1a. The evidence of paternal R1a supports the [[Kurgan hypothesis]] for the Indo-European expansion from the Volga steppe region.<ref name=pmid20091844>{{cite journal |doi=10.1002/ajpa.21242|pmid=20091844|title=A western Eurasian male is found in 2000-year-old elite Xiongnu cemetery in Northeast Mongolia|journal=American Journal of Physical Anthropology|volume=142|issue=3|pages=429–40|year=2010|last1=Kim|first1=Kijeong|last2=Brenner|first2=Charles H.|last3=Mair|first3=Victor H.|last4=Lee|first4=Kwang-Ho|last5=Kim|first5=Jae-Hyun|last6=Gelegdorj|first6=Eregzen|last7=Batbold|first7=Natsag|last8=Song|first8=Yi-Chung|last9=Yun|first9=Hyeung-Won|last10=Chang|first10=Eun-Jeong|last11=Lkhagvasuren|first11=Gavaachimed|last12=Bazarragchaa|first12=Munkhtsetseg|last13=Park|first13=Ae-Ja|last14=Lim|first14=Inja|last15=Hong|first15=Yun-Pyo|last16=Kim|first16=Wonyong|last17=Chung|first17=Sang-In|last18=Kim|first18=Dae-Jin|last19=Chung|first19=Yoon-Hee|last20=Kim|first20=Sung-Su|last21=Lee|first21=Won-Bok|last22=Kim|first22=Kyung-Yong}}</ref> As the R1a was found in Xiongnu people<ref name=pmid20091844 /> and the present-day people of Central Asia<ref>{{cite journal |doi=10.1534/genetics.105.054270|pmid=16489223|pmc=1456369|title=Male Demography in East Asia: A North-South Contrast in Human Population Expansion Times|journal=Genetics|volume=172|issue=4|pages=2431–9|year=2005|last1=Xue|first1=Y.|last2=Zerjal|first2=T|last3=Bao|first3=W|last4=Zhu|first4=S|last5=Shu|first5=Q|last6=Xu|first6=J|last7=Du|first7=R|last8=Fu|first8=S|last9=Li|first9=P|last10=Hurles|first10=M. E.|last11=Yang|first11=H|last12=Tyler-Smith|first12=C}}</ref> Analysis of skeletal remains from sites attributed to the Xiongnu provides an identification of dolichocephalic Mongoloid, ethnically distinct from neighboring populations in present-day Mongolia.<ref>{{cite journal |first1=Sophia-Karin |last1=Psarras |year=2003 |title=Han and Xiongnu: A Reexamination of Cultural and Political Relations (I) |journal=Monumenta Serica |volume=51 |pages=55–236 |jstor=40727370}}</ref>

Xiongnu writing, older than Turkic, is agreed to have the earliest known [[Old Turkic|Turkic]] alphabet, the [[Orkhon script]]. This has been argued recently using the only extant possibly Xiongu writings, the rock art of the [[Yinshan]] and [[Helan Mountains]].<ref>MA Li-qing [http://www.wanfangdata.com.cn/qikan/periodical.Articles/kgyww/kgyw2004/0402/040208.htm On the new evidence on Xiongnu's writings. ](Wanfang Data: Digital Periodicals, 2004)</ref>  It dates from the [[9th millennium BCE]] to the 19th century, and consists mainly of engraved signs (petroglyphs) and few painted images.<ref>Paola Demattè [https://web.archive.org/web/20040207122609/http://faculty.risd.edu/faculty/pdematte/web/MyResearch/RA%20paper.htm Writing the Landscape: the Petroglyphs of Inner Mongolia and Ningxia Province (China).] (Paper presented at the First International Conference of Eurasian Archaeology, University of Chicago, 3–4 May 2002.)</ref>  Excavations done during 1924–1925 in [[Noin-Ula]] kurgans located in the [[Selenga]] River in the northern [[Mongolia]]n hills north of [[Ulan Bator]] produced objects with over 20 carved characters, which were either identical or very similar to the [[runic]] letters of the Turkic Orkhon script discovered in the [[Orkhon Valley]].<ref>N. Ishjatms, "Nomads In Eastern Central Asia", in the "History of civilizations of Central Asia", Volume 2, Fig 6, p. 166, UNESCO Publishing, 1996, ISBN 92-3-102846-4</ref>

The [[Hun]] hordes ruled by [[Attila]], who invaded and conquered much of Europe in the 5th century, might have been Turkic and descendants of the Xiongnu.<ref name="Findley 2005, p. 29"/><ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.chinaknowledge.de/History/Altera/xiongnu.html|title= Chinese History – Xiongnu 匈奴 (www.chinaknowledge.de)|author= Ulrich Theobald|publisher= |accessdate= 18 March 2015}}</ref><ref name="pulleyblank">G. Pulleyblank, "The Consonantal System of Old Chinese: Part II", Asia Major n.s. 9 (1963) 206–65</ref> Some scholars regard the Huns as one of the earlier Turkic tribes, while others view them as [[Proto-Mongols|Proto-Mongolian]] in origin.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.historyfiles.co.uk/FeaturesEurope/BarbarianHuns.htm|title= The Origins of the Huns|publisher= |accessdate= 18 March 2015}}</ref> [[Linguistic]] studies by [[Otto Maenchen-Helfen]] and others have suggested that the [[Hunnic language|language used by the Huns in Europe]] was too little documented to be classified, but may have been an [[Indo-European language]]. Nevertheless, many of the proper names used by Huns appear to be Turkic in origin.<ref>Otto J. Maenchen-Helfen. The World of the Huns: Studies in Their History and Culture. University of California Press, 1973</ref><ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.kroraina.com/huns/mh/mh_6.html|title= Otto Maenchen-Helfen, Language of Huns|publisher= |accessdate= 18 March 2015}}</ref> In the first half of the first millennium, mass-migrations to distant places were common, geographical borders were fluid and cultural identity was more likely to change dramatically during the lifetime of an individual, relative to the modern era. These factors also made it more likely that the Huns were, initially at least, closely related to the Turkic peoples.

In the 6th century, 400 years after the [[Han–Xiongnu War|collapse of northern Xiongnu]] power in [[Inner Asia]], the Göktürks assumed leadership of the Turkic peoples. Formerly in the Xiongnu nomadic confederation, the Göktürks inherited their traditions and administrative experience. From 552 to 745, Göktürk leadership united the [[nomad]]ic Turkic tribes into the [[Göktürk Empire]] on Mongolia and Cental Asia. The name derives from ''gok'', "blue" or "celestial". Unlike its Xiongnu predecessor, the Göktürk Khanate had its temporary ''[[Khan (title)|khans]]'' from the [[Ashina]] clan who were ''subordinate'' to a [[sovereignty|sovereign]] authority controlled by a council of tribal chiefs. The [[Khanate]] retained elements of its original [[Shamanism|shamanistic]] religion, [[Tengriism]], although it received missionaries of [[Buddhist]] monks and practiced a syncretic religion. The Göktürks were the first Turkic people to write [[Old Turkic]] in a runic script, the [[Orkhon script]]. The Khanate was also the first state known as "Turk". It eventually collapsed due to a series of dynastic conflicts, but many states and peoples later used the name "Turk".

Turkic peoples and related groups migrated west from [[Turkestan]] and present-day [[Mongolia]] towards [[Eastern Europe]], the [[Iranian plateau]] and [[Anatolia]] (modern Turkey) in many waves. The date of the initial expansion remains unknown. After many battles, they established their own state and later constructed the [[Ottoman Empire]].  The main migration occurred in medieval times, when they spread across most of Asia and into Europe and the Middle East.<ref name="Carter V. Findley">Carter V. Findley, ''The Turks in World History'' (Oxford University Press, October 2004) ISBN 0-19-517726-6</ref> They also took part in the military encounters of the [[Crusades]].<ref>Moses Parkson, "Ottoman Empire and its past life" p. 98</ref>

Later Turkic peoples include the [[Karluks]] (mainly 8th century), [[Uyghurs]], [[Kyrgyz people|Kyrgyz]], [[Oghuz Turks|Oghuz]] (or Ğuz) Turks, and [[Turkmens]]. As these peoples founded states in the area between [[Mongolia]] and [[Transoxiana]], they came into contact with [[Muslim]]s, and most of them gradually adopted [[Islam]]. Small groups of Turkic people practice other religions, including [[Christianity|Christians]], [[Jew]]s ([[Khazars]]), [[Buddhism|Buddhists]], and [[Zoroastrianism|Zoroastrians]].

Other traditions see [[Togarmah]] (grandson of [[Japheth]] the son of [[Noah]]) as the ancestor of the Turkic peoples. For example, The [[French people|French]] [[Order of Saint Benedict|Benedictine monk]] and scholar [[Antoine Augustin Calmet|Calmet]] (1672–1757) places Togarmah in ''[[Scythia]] and [[Turkestan|Turcomania]]'' (in the [[Eurasian Steppe]]s and [[Central Asia]]).<ref>''The Encyclopedia of Religious Knowledge''. (1835) B. B. Edwards and J. Newton Brown. Brattleboro, Vermont, Fessenden & Co., p. 1125.</ref> Also in [[Khazar Correspondence|his letters]], [[Joseph (Khazar)|King Joseph ben Aaron]], the ruler of the [[Khazars]] in the mid-10th century, writes:
: ''"You ask us also in your epistle: "Of what people, of what family, and of what tribe are you?" Know that we are descended from Noach's son Japhet, through his son Gomer through his son Togarmah. I have found in the genealogical books of my ancestors that Togarmah had ten sons. These are their names:<ref name="Pritsak O 1982"/>
: the eldest was Ujur (Agiôr – [[Uyghurs]]),
: the second Tauris (Tirôsz – [[Tauri]]),
: the third Avar (Avôr – [[Pannonian Avars]]),
: the fourth Uauz (Ugin – [[Oghuz Turks|Oghuz]]),
: the fifth Bizal (Bizel – [[Pechenegs|Pecheneg]]),
: the sixth Tarna,
: the seventh Khazar ([[Khazars|Khazar]]),
: the eighth Janur (Zagur),
: the ninth Bulgar (Balgôr – [[Bulgars|Bulgar]]),
: the tenth Sawir (Szavvir/Szabir – [[Sabir people|Sabir]])."''

Jewish sources also list Togarmah as the father of the Turkic peoples:
The medieval [[Judaism|Jewish]] scholar: [[Joseph ben Gorion]] lists in his ''[[Josippon]]'' (c. 10th century) the ten sons of Togarma as follows:
#  Kozar (the [[Khazars]])
#  Pacinak (the [[Pechenegs]])
#  Aliqanosz (the [[Alans]])
#  Bulgar (the [[Bulgars]])
#  Ragbiga (Ragbina, Ranbona)
#  Turqi (possibly the [[Göktürks]])
#  Buz (the Oghuz)
#  Zabuk
#  Ungari (either the [[Hungarian people|Hungarians]] or the [[Oghur languages|Oghurs]]/[[Onogurs]])
#  Tilmac (Tilmic/Tirôsz – [[Tauri]])."

The ''[[Chronicles of Jerahmeel]]'' lists them as:<ref>{{cite book|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=GwPVMv0NxMQC&printsec=frontcover&dq=%22Chronicles+of+Jerahmeel%22#PPR7,M1|title= The Chronicles of Jeraḥmeel|publisher= |accessdate= 18 March 2015}}</ref>
# Cuzar (the [[Khazars]])
# Pasinaq (the [[Pechenegs]])
# Alan (the [[Alans]])
# Bulgar (the [[Bulgars]])
# Kanbinah
# Turq (possibly the [[Göktürks]])
# Buz (the Oghuz)
# Zakhukh
# Ugar (either the [[Hungarian people|Hungarians]] or the [[Oghur languages|Oghurs]]/[[Onogurs]])
# Tulmes (Tirôsz – [[Tauri]])

Another medieval [[Rabbinic literature|rabbinic work]], the ''[[Sefer haYashar (midrash)|Book of Jasher]]'', further corrupts{{citation needed|date=July 2015}} these same names into:
# Buzar (the [[Khazars]])
# Parzunac (the [[Pechenegs]])
# Balgar (the [[Bulgars]])
# Elicanum (the [[Alans]])
# Ragbib
# Tarki (possibly the [[Göktürks]])
# Bid (the Oghuz)
# Zebuc
# Ongal ([[Hungarian people|Hungarians]] or [[Oghur languages|Oghurs]]/[[Onogurs]])
# Tilmaz (Tirôsz – [[Tauri]]).

Arabic records give Togorma's tribes as:{{citation needed|date=July 2015}}
#  Khazar (the [[Khazars]])
#  Badsanag (the [[Pechenegs]])
#  Asz-alân (the [[Alans]])
#  Bulghar (the [[Bulgars]])
#  Zabub
#  Fitrakh (Kotrakh?) (Ko-etrakh. ''Etrakh'' means "Turks" [possibly Gokturks])
#  Nabir
#  Andsar (Ajhar)
#  Talmisz (Tirôsz – [[Tauri]])
#  Adzîgher (Adzhigardak?).
The Arabic account however, also adds an 11th clan: Anszuh.

Yet another tradition of the sons of Togarmah appears in [[Pseudo-Philo]], giving their names as "Abiud, Saphath, Asapli, and Zepthir". The ''Chronicles of Jerahmeel'', in addition to giving Sefer haYashar (midrash) the above names from ''Yosippon'', elsewhere lists Togarmah's sons similarly as "Abihud, Shafat, and Yaftir".

===Middle Ages===
[[File:Byzantine emissaries to the Caliph.jpg|[[Al-Mu'tasim]]|thumb|right|200px]]
Turkic soldiers in the army of the [[Abbasids|Abbasid]] [[Caliphate|caliphs]] emerged as the de facto rulers of most of the Muslim Middle East (apart from [[Syria]] and [[Egypt]]), particularly after the 10th century. The Oghuz and other tribes captured and dominated various countries under the leadership of the [[Seljuk Turks|Seljuk dynasty]] and eventually captured the territories of the Abbasid dynasty and the [[Byzantine Empire]].<ref name="Carter V. Findley"/>

Meanwhile, the Yenisei Kyrgyz allied with China to destroy the Uyghur Khaganate in 840. The Kyrgyz people ultimately settled in the region now referred to as [[Kyrgyzstan]]. The [[Bulgars]] established themselves in between the Caspian and Black Seas in the 5th and 6th centuries, followed by their conquerors, the [[Khazars]] who converted to Judaism in the 8th or 9th century. After them came the [[Pechenegs]] who created a large confederacy, which was subsequently taken over by the [[Cumans]] and the [[Kipchaks]]. One group of Bulgars settled in the Volga region and mixed with local [[Volga Finns]] to become the [[Volga Bulgars]] in what is today [[Tatarstan]]. These Bulgars were conquered by the Mongols following their westward sweep under [[Genghis Khan]] in the 13th century. Other Bulgars settled in Southeastern Europe in the 7th and 8th centuries, and mixed with the [[Slavs|Slavic]] population, adopting what eventually became the Slavic [[Bulgarian language]]. Everywhere, Turkic groups mixed with the local populations to varying degrees.<ref name="Carter V. Findley"/> In 1090–91, the Turkic Pechenegs reached the walls of [[Constantinople]], where Emperor [[Alexios I Komnenos|Alexius I]] with the aid of the Kipchaks annihilated their army.<ref>{{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091027115640/http://www.geocities.com/egfroth1/Pechenegs |date=October 27, 2009 |title=The Pechenegs }}, Steven Lowe and Dmitriy V. Ryaboy</ref>

==={{anchor|Islamic empires}}Islamic empires===
{{Main article|Ghaznavids|Seljuk Empire|Delhi Sultanate|Mamluk Sultanate (Cairo)|Timurids|Bahri dynasty|Deccan sultanates|Safavid Empire|Ottoman Empire|Mughal Empire|Afsharid Empire}}
{{Multiple image|align=left|direction=vertical|image1=Hunername 264.jpg|image2=Mengli bayezid.jpg|caption1=[[Suleiman I]] taking control of Moldova.|caption2=[[Crimean Khanate|Crimean Khan]], [[Mengli Giray]] at the court of the [[Bayezid II]].}}
{{Multiple image|align=right|direction=vertical|image1=Timur.jpeg|image2=A Mamluk from Aleppo.jpg|caption1=[[Tamerlane]] and his forces advance against the [[Golden Horde]], Khan [[Tokhtamysh]].|caption2=A [[Mamluks|Mamluk]] nobleman from [[Aleppo]].}}
As the [[Seljuk Empire]] declined following the [[Mongol invasions|Mongol invasion]], the [[Ottoman Empire]] emerged as the new important Turkic state, that came to dominate not only the Middle East, but even southeastern Europe, parts of southwestern Russia, and northern Africa.<ref name="Carter V. Findley"/>

The [[Delhi Sultanate]] is a term used to cover five short-lived, [[Delhi]]-based kingdoms three of which were of Turkic origin in [[medieval India]]. These Turkic dynasties were the [[Mamluk Sultanate (Delhi)|Mamluk dynasty]] (1206–90); the [[Khilji dynasty]] (1290–1320); and the [[Tughlaq dynasty]] (1320–1414). [[Southern India]], also saw many Turkic origin dynasties like [[Bahmani Sultanate]], [[Adil Shahi dynasty]], [[Bidar Sultanate]], [[Qutb Shahi dynasty]], collectively known as [[Deccan sultanates]].

In Eastern Europe, Volga Bulgaria became an Islamic state in 922 and influenced the region as it controlled many trade routes. In the 13th century, Mongols invaded Europe and established the [[Golden Horde]] in Eastern Europe, western & northern Central Asia, and even western Siberia. The [[Cuman-Kipchak Confederation]] and Islamic [[Volga Bulgaria]] were absorbed by the Golden Horde in the 13th century; in the 14th century, Islam became the official religion under [[Uzbeg Khan]] where the general population (Turks) as well as the aristocracy (Mongols) came to speak the [[Kipchak language]] and were collectively known as "[[Tatars]]" by Russians and Westerners. This country was also known as the [[Kipchak Khanate]] and covered most of what is today [[Ukraine]], as well as the entirety of modern-day southern and eastern [[Russia]] (the European section). The Golden Horde disintegrated into several khanates and hordes in the 15th and 16th century including the [[Crimean Khanate]], [[Khanate of Kazan]], and [[Kazakh Khanate]] (among others), which were one by one conquered and annexed by the Russian Empire in the 16th through 19th centuries.

In Siberia, the [[Siberian Khanate]] was established in the 1490s by fleeing Tatar aristocrats of the disintegrating [[Golden Horde]] who established Islam as the official religion in western Siberia over the partly Islamized native [[Siberian Tatars]] and indigenous Uralic peoples. It was the northern-most Islamic state in recorded history and it survived up until 1598 when it was conquered by Russia.

The [[Chagatai Khanate]] was the eastern & southern Central Asian section of the [[Mongol Empire]] in what is today part or whole of [[Tajikistan]], [[Afghanistan]], [[Turkmenistan]], [[Kazakhstan]], [[Uzbekistan]], [[Kyrgyzstan]], and [[Xinjiang]] ("Uyghurstan"). Like the [[Moghulistan]] and Golden Horde, the Chagatai Khanate became a Muslim state in the 14th century.

The [[Timurids|Timurid Empire]] were an Turkic Uzbek-based empire founded in the late 14th century by [[Timurlane]], a descendant of Genghis Khan. Timur, although a self-proclaimed devout Muslim, brought great slaughter in his conquest of fellow Muslims in neighboring Islamic territory and contributed to the ultimate demise of many Muslim states, including the Golden Horde.

The [[Mughal Empire]] was a Turkic-founded Indian empire that, at its greatest territorial extent, ruled most of the South Asia, including [[Afghanistan]], Pakistan, India, [[Bangladesh]] and parts of [[Uzbekistan]] from the early 16th to the early 18th centuries. The Mughal dynasty was founded by a [[Chagatai Khanate|Chagatai]] Turkic prince named [[Babur]] (reigned 1526–30), who was descended from the Turkic conqueror [[Timur]] (Tamerlane) on his father's side and from Chagatai, second son of the [[Mongol]] ruler [[Genghis Khan]], on his mother's side.<ref name="Mughal Dynasty">[[Encyclopædia Britannica]] Article:[http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9054153/Mughal-Dynasty Mughal Dynasty]</ref><ref>[[Encyclopædia Britannica]] Article:[http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9011614/Babur Babur]</ref> A further distinction was the attempt of the Mughals to integrate Hindus and Muslims into a united Indian state.<ref name="Mughal Dynasty"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pbs.org/treasuresoftheworld/taj_mahal/tlevel_1/t1_mughal.html|title=the Mughal dynasty|publisher=|accessdate=18 March 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kamat.com/kalranga/mogul/|title=Kamat's Potpourri|publisher=|accessdate=18 March 2015}}</ref><ref>Babur: Encyclopædia Britannica [http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9011614/Babur Article]</ref>

The [[Safavid dynasty]] of [[Persia]],they were of mixed ancestry ([[Kurdish people|Kurdish]]<ref name="R.M.">[http://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/ebn-bazzaz RM Savory. Ebn Bazzaz.] ''Encyclopædia Iranica''</ref> and [[Azerbaijani people|Azerbaijani]],<ref name="fryeiranica">[http://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/iran-v1-peoples-survey "Peoples of Iran"] ''Encyclopædia Iranica''. RN Frye.</ref> which included intermarriages with [[Georgians|Georgian]],<ref>Aptin Khanbaghi (2006) ''The Fire, the Star and the Cross: Minority Religions in Medieval and Early''. London & New York. IB Tauris. ISBN 1-84511-056-0, pp. 130-1</ref> [[Circassians|Circassian]],{{sfn|Yarshater|2001|p=493}}{{sfn|Khanbaghi|2006|p=130}} and [[Pontic Greeks|Pontic Greek]]<ref name="Anthony Bryer 1975">Anthony Bryer. "Greeks and Türkmens: The Pontic Exception", ''Dumbarton Oaks Papers, Vol. 29'' (1975), Appendix II "Genealogy of the Muslim Marriages of the Princesses of Trebizond"</ref> dignitaries). Through intermarriage and other political considerations, the Safavids spoke Persian and Turkish,<ref name="savory07">{{Cite book
| last = Savory
| first = Roger
| authorlink = 
| coauthors = 
| year = 2007
| title = Iran Under the Safavids
| publisher= Cambridge University Press
| isbn = 978-0-521-04251-2
| url = https://books.google.com/books?id=v4Yr4foWFFgC&pg=PA213
| page = 213
| quote = ''qizilbash normally spoke Azari brand of Turkish at court, as did the Safavid shahs themselves; lack of familiarity with the Persian language may have contributed to the decline from the pure classical standards of former times''
}}</ref><ref>E. Yarshater, "Iran", . ''Encyclopædia Iranica''. "The origins of the Safavids are clouded in obscurity. They may have been of Kurdish origin (see R. Savory, Iran Under the Safavids, 1980, p. 2; R. Matthee, "Safavid Dynasty" at iranica.com), but for all practical purposes they were Turkish-speaking and Turkified. "</ref> and some of the Shahs composed poems in their native Turkish language. Concurrently, the Shahs themselves also supported Persian literature, poetry and art projects including the grand [[Shahnama]] of [[Tahmasp I|Shah Tahmasp]].<ref>John L. Esposito, ''The Oxford History of Islam'', Oxford University Press US, 1999. pp 364: "To support their legitimacy, the Safavid dynasty of Iran (1501–1732) devoted a cultural policy to establish their regime as the reconstruction of the historic Iranian monarchy. To the end, they commissioned elaborate copies of the Shahnameh, the Iranian national epic, such as this one made for Tahmasp in the 1520s."</ref><ref name="Ira2">Ira Marvin Lapidus, ''A history of Islamic Societies'', Cambridge University Press, 2002, 2nd edition. pg 445: To bolster the prestige of the state, the Safavid dynasty sponsored an Iran-Islamic style of culture concentrating on court poetry, painting, and monumental architecture that symbolized not only the Islamic credentials of the state but also the glory of the ancient Persian traditions."</ref> The Safavid dynasty ruled parts of [[Greater Iran]] for more than two centuries.<ref>Helen Chapin Metz.  ''Iran, a Country study''.  1989. University of Michigan, p. 313.</ref><ref>Emory C. Bogle. ''Islam: Origin and Belief''. University of Texas Press. 1989, p. 145.</ref><ref>Stanford Jay Shaw. History of the Ottoman Empire. Cambridge University Press. 1977, p. 77.</ref><ref>Andrew J. Newman, Safavid Iran: ''Rebirth of a Persian Empire'', IB Tauris (March 30, 2006).</ref> and established the [[Twelver]] school of [[Imamah (Shi'a Twelver doctrine)|Shi'a Islam]]<ref name="savoryeiref">RM Savory, ''Safavids'', ''[[Encyclopedia of Islam]]'', 2nd ed.</ref> as the official [[religion]] of their empire, marking one of the most important turning points in [[Muslim history]]

The [[Afsharid dynasty]] was named after the Turkic Afshar tribe to which they belonged. The Afshars had migrated from [[Turkestan]] to [[Azerbaijan]] in the 13th century. The dynasty was founded in 1736 by the military commander [[Nader Shah]] who deposed the last member of the [[Safavid dynasty]] and proclaimed himself King of [[Iran]]. Nader belonged to the Qereqlu branch of the Afshars.<ref>''Cambridge History of Iran'' Volume 7, pp. 2–4</ref> During Nader's reign, Iran reached its greatest extent since the [[Sassanid Empire]].

====Muslim Turks and non-Muslim Turks====

The Muslim Kara-Khanid Turks performed Jihad against Buddhist Uyghur Turks during the [[Islamicisation and Turkicisation of Xinjiang]].

The non-Muslim Turks worship of [[Tengri]] was mocked and insulted by the Muslim Turk [[Mahmud al-Kashgari]], who wrote a verse referring to them – ''The Infidels – May God destroy them!''<ref>{{cite book|author=Robert Dankoff|title=From Mahmud Kaşgari to Evliya Çelebi|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=KaYZAQAAIAAJ&q=The+Infidels+-+May+God+destroy+them+Turks&dq=The+Infidels+-+May+God+destroy+them+Turks&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0CEkQ6AEwCGoVChMIg9Clz8KZyQIVx-MmCh3H1AhI|year=2008|publisher=Isis Press|isbn=978-975-428-366-2|page=81}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last=Dankoff   |first= Robert |last2= |first2= |date=Jan–Mar 1975 |title=Kāšġarī on the Beliefs and Superstitions of the Turks |jstor=599159 |journal= Journal of the American Oriental Society  |publisher=American Oriental Society |volume=95 |number=1 |page=70 |doi=10.2307/599159  }}</ref>

The Basmil, Yabāḳu and Uyghur states were among the Turkic peoples who fought against the Kara-Khanid's spread of Islam, the Islamic Kara-khanids were made out of Tukhai, Yaghma, Çiğil and Karluk.<ref name="GibbLewis1998">{{cite book|author1=Hamilton Alexander Rosskeen Gibb|author2=Bernard Lewis|author3=Johannes Hendrik Kramers|author4=Charles Pellat|author5=Joseph Schacht|title=The Encyclopaedia of Islam|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=PJPrAAAAMAAJ&q=kara-khanids+inherited+islam+uyghur&dq=kara-khanids+inherited+islam+uyghur&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjw66X_267JAhWCOT4KHQ-fCSgQ6AEILDAA|year=1998|publisher=Brill|page=689}}</ref>

Kashgari claimed that the Prophet assisted in a miraculous event where 700,000 Yabāqu infidels were defeated by 40,000 Muslims led by Arslān Tegīn claiming that fires shot sparks from gates located on a green mountain towards the Yabāqu.<ref>{{cite book|author=Robert Dankoff|title=From Mahmud Kaşgari to Evliya Çelebi|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=KaYZAQAAIAAJ&q=green+mountain+gates+sparks+infidel+buddha&dq=green+mountain+gates+sparks+infidel+buddha&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0CCsQ6AEwAGoVChMIqt3Pt8KZyQIVhUImCh3o_wM0|year=2008|publisher=Isis Press|isbn=978-975-428-366-2|page=79}}</ref> The Yabaqu were a Turkic people.<ref>{{cite book|author1=Mehmet Fuat Köprülü|author2=Gary Leiser|author3=Robert Dankoff|title=Early Mystics in Turkish Literature|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_v6IWkCLnEwC&pg=PA147&lpg=PA147&dq=yabaqu&source=bl&ots=THRCPfc0le&sig=jR2xthQfH8fspUws_fO30OGvb8E&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0CEMQ6AEwB2oVChMI-_vRksGZyQIVReomCh3rKgT3#v=onepage&q=yabaqu&f=false|year=2006|publisher=Psychology Press|isbn=978-0-415-36686-1|pages=147–}}</ref>

The Muslim Kara-Khanid Turk Mahmud Kashgari insulted the Uyghur Buddhists as "Uighur dogs" and called them "Tats", which referred to the "Uighur infidels" according to the Tuxsi and Taghma, while other Turks called Persians "tat".<ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20151118063834/http://projects.iq.harvard.edu/huri/files/viii-iv_1979-1980_part1.pdf p. 160.</ref><ref>{{cite book|author=Harvard Ukrainian Research Institute|title=Harvard Ukrainian studies|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=KTYMAQAAMAAJ&q=aqtimiz+furxan+burxan&dq=aqtimiz+furxan+burxan&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0CDEQ6AEwAWoVChMI5feq24e_yAIVihY-Ch2RMQy0|year=1980|publisher=Harvard Ukrainian Research Institute|page=160}}</ref> While Kashgari displayed a different attitude towards the Turks diviners beliefs and "national customs", he expressed towards Buddhism a hatred in his Diwan where he wrote the verse cycle on the war against Uighur Buddhists. Buddhist origin words like toyin (a cleric or priest) and Burxān or Furxan (meaning Buddha, acquiring the generic meaning of "idol" in the Turkic language of Kashgari) had negative connotations to Muslim Turks.<ref>{{cite book|author=Robert Dankoff|title=From Mahmud Kaşgari to Evliya Çelebi|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=KaYZAQAAIAAJ&q=idol+Buddha+provenance+Toyin&dq=idol+Buddha+provenance+Toyin&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0CCUQ6AEwAGoVChMIlcLE68KZyQIVyu8mCh030w25|year=2008|publisher=Isis Press|isbn=978-975-428-366-2|page=79}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last=Dankoff   |first= Robert |last2= |first2= |date=Jan–Mar 1975 |title=Kāšġarī on the Beliefs and Superstitions of the Turks |jstor=599159 |journal= Journal of the American Oriental Society  |publisher=American Oriental Society |volume=95 |number=1 |page=69 |doi=10.2307/599159  }}</ref>

====Murals and statues of Medieval Turks====
[[File:Tyurki.jpg|thumb|200px|right|Göktürk petroglyphs from Mongolia (6th to 8th century)]]
[[File:Uighur Prince.jpg|thumb|200px|An [[Uyghur Khaganate|Uyghur]] [[Khagan]]]]

Professor James A. Millward described the [[Uyghur Khaganate|original Uyghurs]] as phenotypically [[Mongoloid]] until they began to mix with the Tarim Basin's original, [[Caucasoid]] inhabitants, such as the [[Tocharians]] and [[eastern Iranian people]]s.<ref>{{cite book|title=Eurasian Crossroads: A History of Xinjiang|first=James A.|last=Millward|volume=|edition=illustrated|year=2007|publisher=Columbia University Press|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8FVsWq31MtMC&pg=PA43 |page=43|isbn=0231139241|accessdate=10 March 2014| ref = {{harvid||}} }}</ref>

The Uyghurs of the [[Kingdom of Qocho|Qocho]] and [[Turfan]] – whose ancestors had adopted the Buddhism of the Tocharians when they settled in the Tarim – were forcibly converted to Islam during a ''ghazat'' (holy war) by the [[Chagatai Khanate|Chagatai]] khan [[Khizr Khwaja]].<ref name="Millward2007">{{cite book|author=James A. Millward|title=Eurasian Crossroads: A History of Xinjiang|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8FVsWq31MtMC&pg=PA69#v=onepage&q&f=false|year=2007|publisher=Columbia University Press|isbn=978-0-231-13924-3|pages=69–}}</ref> After they had converted to Islam, subsequent generations of Uyghurs came to believe, falsely, that the "infidel [[Kalmuks]]" ([[Dzungar people|Dzungars]]) had built Buddhist monuments in the area.<ref name="GibbLewis1998 2">{{cite book|author1=Hamilton Alexander Rosskeen Gibb|author2=Bernard Lewis|author3=Johannes Hendrik Kramers |author4=Charles Pellat |author5=Joseph Schacht|title=The Encyclopaedia of Islam|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=PJPrAAAAMAAJ&q=...+and+forgetting+all+the+other+highlights+of+their+past,+they+attributed+the+Buddhist+and+other+monuments+to+the+%22infidel+Kalmuks%22.+Both+the+Djungars+and+their+successors+the+Chinese+of+the+Ching+%28Manchu%29+dynasty+who+destroyed+the+Djungars+in+...&dq=...+and+forgetting+all+the+other+highlights+of+their+past,+they+attributed+the+Buddhist+and+other+monuments+to+the+%22infidel+Kalmuks%22.+Both+the+Djungars+and+their+successors+the+Chinese+of+the+Ching+%28Manchu%29+dynasty+who+destroyed+the+Djungars+in+...&hl=en&sa=X&ei=zwSOVaCIDYWp-QHG0InwCg&ved=0CCAQ6AEwAA|year=1998|publisher=Brill|page=677}}</ref><ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=PJPrAAAAMAAJ&q=...+and+forgetting+all+the+other+highlights+of+their+past,+they+attributed+the+Buddhist+and+other+monuments+to+the+%22infidel+Kalmuks%22.+...+Archaeologie+und+Kunstgeschichte+Chinesisch-^entralasiens+%28Xinjiang%29,+Leiden+1987,+118-42;+Emel+Esin,+IA+art.&dq=...+and+forgetting+all+the+other+highlights+of+their+past,+they+attributed+the+Buddhist+and+other+monuments+to+the+%22infidel+Kalmuks%22.+...+Archaeologie+und+Kunstgeschichte+Chinesisch-^entralasiens+%28Xinjiang%29,+Leiden+1987,+118-42;+Emel+Esin,+IA+art.&hl=en&sa=X&ei=vgSOVaCeBYXv-QHWnIKIAg&ved=0CB4Q6AEwAA][https://books.google.com/books?id=PJPrAAAAMAAJ&q=infidels+art+buddhist+xinjiang&dq=infidels+art+buddhist+xinjiang&hl=en&sa=X&ei=8saNVeuNJo6cyASqoJXoAw&ved=0CC0Q6AEwAQ][https://books.google.com/books?ei=8saNVeuNJo6cyASqoJXoAw&id=PJPrAAAAMAAJ&dq=infidels+art+buddhist+xinjiang&focus=searchwithinvolume&q=infidel+Kalmuks]</ref> The Buddhist murals at the [[Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves]] were damaged by local Muslim population whose religion [[Aniconism in Islam|proscribed figurative images]] of sentient beings; the eyes and mouths in particular were often gouged out. Pieces of some murals were broken off for use as fertilizer by the locals.<ref name="whitfield">{{cite book | title=Conservation of ancient sites on the Silk Road: proceedings of the second International Conference on the Conservation of Grotto Sites, Mogao Grottoes, Dunhuang, People's Republic of China | editor-first=Neville | editor-last=Agnew | publisher=Getty Publications | year=2010 | isbn=978-1-60606-013-1 | chapter=A place of safekeeping? The vicissitudes of the Bezeklik murals | first=Susan | last=Whitfield | pages=95–106 | url=http://www.getty.edu/conservation/publications_resources/pdf_publications/2nd_silkroad3.pdf History and Silk Road Studies }}</ref>

====Turks in Arabic texts====
{{Further2|[[w:ar:بنو قنطوراء]]}}
{{Contains Arabic text|section}}

The Arab Muslim [[Umayyads]] and [[Abbasids]] fought against the pagan Turks in the [[Muslim conquest of Transoxiana]]. The Muslims built [[ribat]]s (military fortifications) against the non-Muslim Turks in Transoxiana.

The Medieval Arabs recorded that Medieval Turks looked strange from their perspective and were extremely physically different from the Arabs, calling them "broad faced people with small eyes".<ref>The Turks of the Eurasian Steppes in Medieval Arabic Writing, R. Amitai, M. Biran, eds., Mongols, Turks and Others: Eurasian Nomads and the Sedentary World. Leyde, Brill, 2005, pp. 222–3.</ref><ref name="AmitaiBiran2005">{{cite book|author1=Reuven Amitai|author2=Michal Biran|title=Mongols, Turks, and Others: Eurasian Nomads and the Sedentary World|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=s9EmAQAAMAAJ&q=One+of+the+issues+that+most+occupied+the+travelers+was+the+physiognomy+of+the+Turks.+Both+mentally+and+physically,+Turks+appeared+to+the+Arab+authors+as+very+different+from+themselves&dq=One+of+the+issues+that+most+occupied+the+travelers+was+the+physiognomy+of+the+Turks.+Both+mentally+and+physically,+Turks+appeared+to+the+Arab+authors+as+very+different+from+themselves&hl=en&sa=X&ei=ZnxkU9PROtGzsATP4IDwBA&ved=0CCwQ6wEwAA|year=2005|publisher=Brill|isbn=978-90-04-14096-7|page=222}}</ref>

Medieval Muslim writers noted that [[Tibetans]] and Turks resembled each other and often were not able to tell the difference between Turks and Tibetans.<ref name="Wink2002">{{cite book|author=André Wink|title=Al-Hind: The Slavic Kings and the Islamic conquest, 11th–13th centuries|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=uQ7k2vQlYxEC&pg=PA69#v=onepage&q&f=false|year=2002|publisher=BRILL|isbn=0-391-04174-6|pages=69–}}</ref>

The [[Hadith]] collection [[Sahih al-Bukhari]] records a [[Sahih]] Hadith by [[Muhammad]] on the Turks- ''Narrated Abu Huraira:  Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said, "The Hour will not be established until you fight with the Turks; people with small eyes, red faces, and flat noses. Their faces will look like shields coated with leather. The Hour will not be established till you fight with people whose shoes are made of hair."'' (حَدَّثَنَا سَعِيدُ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ، حَدَّثَنَا يَعْقُوبُ، حَدَّثَنَا أَبِي، عَنْ صَالِحٍ، عَنِ الأَعْرَجِ، قَالَ قَالَ أَبُو هُرَيْرَةَ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم  " لاَ تَقُومُ السَّاعَةُ حَتَّى تُقَاتِلُوا التُّرْكَ صِغَارَ الأَعْيُنِ، حُمْرَ الْوُجُوهِ، ذُلْفَ الأُنُوفِ، كَأَنَّ وُجُوهَهُمُ الْمَجَانُّ الْمُطَرَّقَةُ، وَلاَ تَقُومُ السَّاعَةُ حَتَّى تُقَاتِلُوا قَوْمًا نِعَالُهُمُ الشَّعَرُ ".)<ref>[http://sunnah.com/bukhari/56#141  : Sahih al-Bukhari 2928  : Book 56, Hadith 141  : Vol. 4, Book 52, Hadith 179]</ref><ref>[http://www.sacred-texts.com/isl/bukhari/bh4/bh4_180.htm Hadith 4:179]</ref><ref name="IslamKotob">{{cite book|author=IslamKotob|title=bukharitext |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=M6B2UnP-C8gC&pg=PT689&lpg=PT689&dq=Allah%27s+Apostle+said,+%22The+Hour+will+not+be+established+until+you+fight+with+the+turks;+people+with+small+eyes,+red+faces,+and+flat+noses.+Their+faces+will+look+like+shields+coated+with+leather.+The+Hour+will+not+be+established+till+you+fight+with+people+whose+shoes+are+made+of+hair.%22&source=bl&ots=ZnvibvhsKx&sig=cJ6YSB1p-vZtWJVid3ySi_wpBVE&hl=en&sa=X&ei=x3LaVMuIGM_esATT1oA4&ved=0CC8Q6AEwAw#v=onepage&q=Allah%27s%20Apostle%20said%2C%20%22The%20Hour%20will%20not%20be%20established%20until%20you%20fight%20with%20the%20turks%3B%20people%20with%20small%20eyes%2C%20red%20faces%2C%20and%20flat%20noses.%20Their%20faces%20will%20look%20like%20shields%20coated%20with%20leather.%20The%20Hour%20will%20not%20be%20established%20till%20you%20fight%20with%20people%20whose%20shoes%20are%20made%20of%20hair.%22&f=false|publisher=IslamKotob|pages=689–|id=GGKEY:FBLX1RRQSHD}}</ref><ref name="McLeanIslamKotob">{{cite book|author1=Bill McLean|author2=IslamKotob |title=bukhari|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=MYmqkvfB--8C&pg=PT689&lpg=PT689&dq=Allah%27s+Apostle+said,+%22The+Hour+will+not+be+established+until+you+fight+with+the+turks;+people+with+small+eyes,+red+faces,+and+flat+noses.+Their+faces+will+look+like+shields+coated+with+leather.+The+Hour+will+not+be+established+till+you+fight+with+people+whose+shoes+are+made+of+hair.%22&source=bl&ots=PZZanb9Mcr&sig=PtUsLJ-d0_j4KzgB_N3AUkKOuxc&hl=en&sa=X&ei=x3LaVMuIGM_esATT1oA4&ved=0CDIQ6AEwBA#v=onepage&q=Allah%27s%20Apostle%20said%2C%20%22The%20Hour%20will%20not%20be%20established%20until%20you%20fight%20with%20the%20turks%3B%20people%20with%20small%20eyes%2C%20red%20faces%2C%20and%20flat%20noses.%20Their%20faces%20will%20look%20like%20shields%20coated%20with%20leather.%20The%20Hour%20will%20not%20be%20established%20till%20you%20fight%20with%20people%20whose%20shoes%20are%20made%20of%20hair.%22&f=false|publisher=IslamKotob|pages=689–|id=GGKEY:TAALKTXZJCJ}}</ref><ref name="Khan1971">{{cite book|author=Muhammad Muhsin Khan|title=Sahih Bukhari|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=yp9RLUAS8zsC&pg=PT684&lpg=PT684|year=1971|publisher=Peace Vision|isbn=978-1-4710-6369-5|pages=684–}}</ref><ref>[http://www.searchtruth.com/book_display.php?book=52&translator=1&start=0&number=176 288 hadith found in 'Fighting for the Cause of Allah (Jihaad)' of Sahih Bukhari.]</ref><ref name="Muslim2014">{{cite book|author=Imam Bukhari & Muslim|title=Sahih Al-Bukhari Muslim: Arabic – English (English Translation)|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0T9qCgAAQBAJ&pg=RA3-PA114&lpg=RA3-PA114|date=15 August 2014|pages=114–}}</ref><ref name="BukhārīKhan1996">{{cite book|author1=Muḥammad ibn Ismāʻīl Bukhārī|author2=Muhammad Muhsin Khan|title=مختصر صحيح البخاري|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=BDRbKTxOf7AC&pg=RA21-PA72&lpg=RA21-PA72|year=1996|publisher=Darussalam|isbn=978-9960-740-80-5|pages=602–}}</ref><ref name="Khan1971 2">{{cite book |author=Muhammad Muhsin Khan|title=Sahih Bukhari|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=yp9RLUAS8zsC&pg=PT684&lpg=PT684&dq=Allah%27s+Apostle+said,+%22The+Hour+will+not+be+established+until+you+fight+with+the+turks;+people+with+small+eyes,+red+faces,+and+flat+noses.+Their+faces+will+look+like+shields+coated+with+leather.+The+Hour+will+not+be+established+till+you+fight+with+people+whose+shoes+are+made+of+hair.%22&source=bl&ots=587pFI3-4_&sig=3ZbwTr5cx8UiOjncx3GfD01izyY&hl=en&sa=X&ei=x3LaVMuIGM_esATT1oA4&ved=0CEAQ6AEwBw#v=onepage&q=Allah%27s%20Apostle%20said%2C%20%22The%20Hour%20will%20not%20be%20established%20until%20you%20fight%20with%20the%20turks%3B%20people%20with%20small%20eyes%2C%20red%20faces%2C%20and%20flat%20noses.%20Their%20faces%20will%20look%20like%20shields%20coated%20with%20leather.%20The%20Hour%20will%20not%20be%20established%20till%20you%20fight%20with%20people%20whose%20shoes%20are%20made%20of%20hair.%22&f=false|year=1971|publisher=Peace Vision|isbn=978-1-4710-6369-5|pages=684–}}</ref><ref>[http://quranx.com/hadith/bukhari/Book-56/Hadith-141/ Vol. 4, Book 52, Hadith 179]</ref><ref name="Publications">{{cite book|author=Hamdaan Publications|title=Sahih Al-Bukhari |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=MaR1AgAAQBAJ&pg=PT690&lpg=PT690&dq=Allah%27s+Apostle+said,+%22The+Hour+will+not+be+established+until+you+fight+with+the+turks;+people+with+small+eyes,+red+faces,+and+flat+noses.+Their+faces+will+look+like+shields+coated+with+leather.+The+Hour+will+not+be+established+till+you+fight+with+people+whose+shoes+are+made+of+hair.%22&source=bl&ots=2oxJtd-_fT&sig=lX9W4jpZg8WsBdqO-dedyos3WOo&hl=en&sa=X&ei=x3LaVMuIGM_esATT1oA4&ved=0CDYQ6AEwBQ#v=onepage&q=Allah%27s%20Apostle%20said%2C%20%22The%20Hour%20will%20not%20be%20established%20until%20you%20fight%20with%20the%20turks%3B%20people%20with%20small%20eyes%2C%20red%20faces%2C%20and%20flat%20noses.%20Their%20faces%20will%20look%20like%20shields%20coated%20with%20leather.%20The%20Hour%20will%20not%20be%20established%20till%20you%20fight%20with%20people%20whose%20shoes%20are%20made%20of%20hair.%22&f=false|pages=690–}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=Something Said the Lord Christ|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9b0_ek9nvnEC&pg=PT359&lpg=PT359&dq=Allah%27s+Apostle+said,+%22The+Hour+will+not+be+established+until+you+fight+with+the+turks;+people+with+small+eyes,+red+faces,+and+flat+noses.+Their+faces+will+look+like+shields+coated+with+leather.+The+Hour+will+not+be+established+till+you+fight+with+people+whose+shoes+are+made+of+hair.%22&source=bl&ots=1jE36jybu3&sig=gryjN4vjZoEUXThO1hsdQbXRQeY&hl=en&sa=X&ei=x3LaVMuIGM_esATT1oA4&ved=0CCwQ6AEwAg#v=onepage&q=Allah%27s%20Apostle%20said%2C%20%22The%20Hour%20will%20not%20be%20established%20until%20you%20fight%20with%20the%20turks%3B%20people%20with%20small%20eyes%2C%20red%20faces%2C%20and%20flat%20noses.%20Their%20faces%20will%20look%20like%20shields%20coated%20with%20leather.%20The%20Hour%20will%20not%20be%20established%20till%20you%20fight%20with%20people%20whose%20shoes%20are%20made%20of%20hair.%22&f=false|publisher=Douglas Chick|isbn=978-1-937485-45-0|pages=359–}}</ref><ref name="Chick">{{cite book|author=Kailtyn Chick|title=Islamic Hadith (English Translation)|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-cpUAQAAQBAJ&pg=PT230&lpg=PT230&dq=Allah%27s+Apostle+said,+%22The+Hour+will+not+be+established+until+you+fight+with+the+turks;+people+with+small+eyes,+red+faces,+and+flat+noses.+Their+faces+will+look+like+shields+coated+with+leather.+The+Hour+will+not+be+established+till+you+fight+with+people+whose+shoes+are+made+of+hair.%22&source=bl&ots=acHldQUx55&sig=ndNBpn6yqlA5Ws9jjc9HQ8d7Thg&hl=en&sa=X&ei=x3LaVMuIGM_esATT1oA4&ved=0CEQQ6AEwCA#v=onepage&q=Allah%27s%20Apostle%20said%2C%20%22The%20Hour%20will%20not%20be%20established%20until%20you%20fight%20with%20the%20turks%3B%20people%20with%20small%20eyes%2C%20red%20faces%2C%20and%20flat%20noses.%20Their%20faces%20will%20look%20like%20shields%20coated%20with%20leather.%20The%20Hour%20will%20not%20be%20established%20till%20you%20fight%20with%20people%20whose%20shoes%20are%20made%20of%20hair.%22&f=false|publisher=Hamlet Book Publishing|pages=230–}}</ref>

Another Sahih al-Bukhari Hadith says – '' Narrated Abu Huraira:  The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "The Hour will not be established till you fight a nation wearing hairy shoes, and till you fight the Turks, who will have small eyes, red faces and flat noses; and their faces will be like flat shields. And you will find that the best people are those who hate responsibility of ruling most of all till they are chosen to be the rulers. And the people are of different natures: The best in the pre-Islamic period are the best in Islam. A time will come when any of you will love to see me rather than to have his family and property doubled."''(حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو الْيَمَانِ، أَخْبَرَنَا شُعَيْبٌ، حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو الزِّنَادِ، عَنِ الأَعْرَجِ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ " لاَ تَقُومُ السَّاعَةُ حَتَّى تُقَاتِلُوا قَوْمًا نِعَالُهُمُ الشَّعَرُ، وَحَتَّى تُقَاتِلُوا التُّرْكَ، صِغَارَ الأَعْيُنِ، حُمْرَ الْوُجُوهِ، ذُلْفَ الأُنُوفِ كَأَنَّ وُجُوهَهُمُ الْمَجَانُّ الْمُطْرَقَةُ ". "«وَتَجِدُونَ مِنْ خَيْرِ النَّاسِ أَشَدَّهُمْ كَرَاهِيَةً لِهَذَا الأَمْرِ، حَتَّى يَقَعَ فِيهِ، وَالنَّاسُ مَعَادِنُ، خِيَارُهُمْ فِي الْجَاهِلِيَّةِ خِيَارُهُمْ فِي الإِسْلاَمِ." "وَلَيَأْتِيَنَّ عَلَى أَحَدِكُمْ زَمَانٌ لأَنْ يَرَانِي أَحَبُّ إِلَيْهِ مِنْ أَنْ يَكُونَ لَهُ مِثْلُ أَهْلِهِ وَمَالِهِ.").<ref>[http://sunnah.com/bukhari/61#96 : Sahih al-Bukhari 3587, 3588, 3589 : Book 61, Hadith 96 : Vol. 4, Book 56, Hadith 787]</ref>

A Sahih Hadith is also found in [[Sahih Muslim]] – '' Abu Huraira reported Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) as saying: The Last Hour would not come until the Muslims fight with the Turks-a people whose faces would be like hammered shields wearing clothes of hair and walking (with shoes) of hair.'' (حَدَّثَنَا قُتَيْبَةُ بْنُ سَعِيدٍ، حَدَّثَنَا يَعْقُوبُ، – يَعْنِي ابْنَ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ – عَنْ سُهَيْلٍ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ  " لاَ تَقُومُ السَّاعَةُ حَتَّى يُقَاتِلَ الْمُسْلِمُونَ التُّرْكَ قَوْمًا وُجُوهُهُمْ كَالْمَجَانِّ الْمُطْرَقَةِ يَلْبَسُونَ الشَّعَرَ وَيَمْشُونَ فِي الشَّعَرِ " .).<ref>[http://sunnah.com/urn/269590 : Sahih Muslim 2912 d : Book 54, Hadith 79 : Book 41, Hadith 6959]</ref>

A Sahih Hadith is also found in [[Sunan Nasai]] – ''It was narrated from Abu Hurairah that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: "The Hour will not begin until the Muslims fight the Turks, a people with faces like hammered shields who wear clothes made of hair and shoes made of hair."'' (أَخْبَرَنَا قُتَيْبَةُ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا يَعْقُوبُ، عَنْ سُهَيْلٍ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ  " لاَ تَقُومُ السَّاعَةُ حَتَّى يُقَاتِلَ الْمُسْلِمُونَ التُّرْكَ قَوْمًا وُجُوهُهُمْ كَالْمَجَانِّ الْمُطَرَّقَةِ يَلْبَسُونَ الشَّعَرَ وَيَمْشُونَ فِي الشَّعَرِ " .)<ref>[http://sunnah.com/nasai/25#93  : Sunan an-Nasa'i 3177 : Book 25, Hadith 93 : Vol. 1, Book 25, Hadith 3179]</ref>

A Sahih Hadith is also found in [[Abu Dawud]]- ''Abu Hurairah reported the Prophet (May peace be upon him) as saying: The last hour will not come before the Muslims fight with the Turks, a people whose faces look as if they were shields covered with skin, and who will wear sandals of hair.'' (حَدَّثَنَا قُتَيْبَةُ، حَدَّثَنَا يَعْقُوبُ، – يَعْنِي الإِسْكَنْدَرَانِيَّ – عَنْ سُهَيْلٍ، – يَعْنِي ابْنَ أَبِي صَالِحٍ – عَنْ أَبِيهِ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ  " لاَ تَقُومُ السَّاعَةُ حَتَّى يُقَاتِلَ الْمُسْلِمُونَ التُّرْكَ قَوْمًا وُجُوهُهُمْ كَالْمَجَانِّ الْمُطْرَقَةِ يَلْبَسُونَ الشَّعْرَ " .)<ref>[http://sunnah.com/abudawud/39#15 : Sunan Abi Dawud 4303 : Book 39, Hadith 13 : Book 38, Hadith 4289]</ref>

A Da'if Hadith is found in [[Abu Dawud]] – ''Buraidah said: In the tradition telling that people with small eyes, i.e. the Turks, will fight against you, the prophet (ﷺ) said: You will drive them off three times till you catch up with them in Arabia. On the first occasion when you drive them off those who fly will be safe, on the second occasion some will be safe and some will perish, but on the third occasion they will be extirpated, or he said words to that effect.'' (حَدَّثَنَا جَعْفَرُ بْنُ مُسَافِرٍ التِّنِّيسِيُّ، حَدَّثَنَا خَلاَّدُ بْنُ يَحْيَى، حَدَّثَنَا بَشِيرُ بْنُ الْمُهَاجِرِ، حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ بُرَيْدَةَ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم فِي حَدِيثِ " يُقَاتِلُكُمْ قَوْمٌ صِغَارُ الأَعْيُنِ " . يَعْنِي التُّرْكَ قَالَ " تَسُوقُونَهُمْ ثَلاَثَ مِرَارٍ حَتَّى تُلْحِقُوهُمْ بِجَزِيرَةِ الْعَرَبِ فَأَمَّا فِي السِّيَاقَةِ الأُولَى فَيَنْجُو مَنْ هَرَبَ مِنْهُمْ وَأَمَّا فِي الثَّانِيَةِ فَيَنْجُو بَعْضٌ وَيَهْلِكُ بَعْضٌ وَأَمَّا فِي الثَّالِثَةِ فَيُصْطَلَمُونَ " . أَوْ كَمَا قَالَ .).<ref>[http://sunnah.com/abudawud/39#12  : Sunan Abi Dawud 4305 : Book 39, Hadith 15 : Book 38, Hadith 4291]</ref>

The Arab Muslims identified Banu Qantura' (بنو قنطوراء) as the Turks.<ref name="IslamKotob 2">{{cite book|author=IslamKotob|title=e061 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=jgGaemEYc-UC&pg=PA174&lpg=PA174&dq=banu+qantura&source=bl&ots=_31JzUXOpF&sig=5NKZ53xU3_N4ANqL9T2wp_u9T0Y&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0CCQQ6AEwAWoVChMI_ayYz-T8yAIVhiceCh2KZgPu#v=onepage&q=banu%20qantura&f=false|publisher=IslamKotob|pages=174–|id=GGKEY:EL7K3HJ1T49}}</ref><ref name="Qämbärli1998">{{cite book|author=Mämmädhäsän Qämbärli|title=Ärab ädäbi-bädii qaynaqlarında Türk|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=I6GfAAAAMAAJ&q=banu+qantura&dq=banu+qantura&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0CDEQ6AEwBGoVChMIw_Od0-T8yAIVw6YeCh3QWg7P|year=1998|publisher=Mütärcim|page=17}}</ref><ref name="Rippin2001">{{cite book|author=Andrew Rippin|title=The Qurản, Style and Contents|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=HR9jAAAAMAAJ&q=banu+qantura&dq=banu+qantura&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0CEMQ6AEwB2oVChMIw_Od0-T8yAIVw6YeCh3QWg7P|date=January 2001|publisher=Ashgate|isbn=978-0-86078-700-6|page=8}}</ref> They were described as ''the Banu Qantura' people with wide faces and small eyes'',<ref name="BaydawiIsfahani2001">{{cite book |author1=Abd Allah Ibn Umar Baydawi|author2=Mahmud Isfahani|title=Nature, man and God in medieval Islam. 1 (2002)|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=e7lQt4dh0HYC&pg=PA989&lpg=PA989&dq=banu+qantura&source=bl&ots=Cg38W_ynlh&sig=DN4_iT95d2UHj80F2s6vYujjpgE&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0CDQQ6AEwBGoVChMI_ayYz-T8yAIVhiceCh2KZgPu#v=onepage&q=banu%20qantura&f=false|date=October 2001|publisher=BRILL|isbn=90-04-12102-1|pages=989–}}</ref> or ''a people with flat faces and small eyes''<ref>[https://archive.org/stream/saheehAl-jaamiAs-sagheer/saheehAl-jaamiAs-sagheer_djvu.txt Saheeh al-Jaami as-Sagheer 8170]</ref> ''they have faces like shields covered with leather'',<ref name="Bade2013">{{cite book|author=David Bade|title=Of Palm Wine, Women and War: The Mongolian Naval Expedition to Java in the 13th Century|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6GT3AwAAQBAJ&pg=PA139&lpg=PA139&dq=banu+qantura&source=bl&ots=EpjY25VnZv&sig=FrhL6nrH-mdWg4-EVFsbyCBzJwQ&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0CDgQ6AEwBWoVChMI_ayYz-T8yAIVhiceCh2KZgPu#v=onepage&q=banu%20qantura&f=false|date=4 September 2013|publisher=Institute of Southeast Asian Studies|isbn=978-981-4517-82-9|pages=139–}}</ref><ref name="Bade2002">{{cite book|author=David W. Bade|title=Khubilai Khan and the Beautiful Princess of Tumapel: The Mongols Between History and Literature in Java|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=jGFxAAAAMAAJ&q=banu+qantura&dq=banu+qantura&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0CC0Q6AEwA2oVChMIw_Od0-T8yAIVw6YeCh3QWg7P|year=2002|publisher=A. Chuluunbat|page=115}}</ref><ref>[http://universitypublishingonline.org/iseas/aaa/chapter.jsf?bid=CBO9789814517836&cid=CBO9789814517836A022&p=9&pageTab=ce Bade, David. Meaning and Truth in Histories. Cambridge University Press, 2013. Cambridge Books Online. Cambridge University Press.]</ref>

A Hadith is found in [[Abu Dawud]] – '' Narrated AbuBakrah:  The Apostle of Allah (peace_be_upon_him) said: Some of my people will alight on low-lying ground, which they will call al-Basrah, beside a river called Dajjal (the Tigris) over which there is a bridge. Its people will be numerous and it will be one of the capital cities of immigrants (or one of the capital cities of Muslims, according to the version of Ibn Yahya who reported from AbuMa'mar). At the end of time the descendants of Qantura' will come with broad faces and small eyes and alight on the bank of the river. The town's inhabitants will then separate into three sections, one of which will follow cattle and (live in) the desert and perish, another of which will seek security for themselves and perish, but a third will put their children behind their backs and fight the invaders, and they will be the martyrs.''<ref>[http://www.usc.edu/org/cmje/religious-texts/hadith/abudawud/037-sat.php Partial Translation of Sunan Abu-Dawud, Book 37: Battles (Kitab Al-Malahim)  Book 37, Number 4292:] [http://www.discoveringislam.org/end_time_wars.htm]</ref>

====Turks in European accounts====

{{Quote|The Turkomans observe a difference between their children from Turkoman mothers, and those from the Persian female captives whom they take as wives, and the Kazakh women whom they purchase from the Uzbeks of Khiva. The Turkomans of pure race enjoy full privileges, while the others are not allowed to contract marriages with Turkoman women of pure blood, but must choose themselves wives among the half-castes and Kazakh captives.

As there exists a great animosity between the Yamuds and Goklans they do not intermarry, although they reckon themselves of equally noble lineage. The same hatred is extended to the Tekke Turkomans, whom the Goklans and Yamuds, moreover, look upon as their inferiors, being, according to their genealogies, the descendants of a slave-woman, whilst they are the posterity of a free-woman. (p. 71)

The more intimate connection of the Astrakhan and Kazan Tartars with the Mogols can be traced in their features; with the Nogay it is less visible. In like manner, the Turkomans further off in the desert, and the Uzbeks of Khive, have more of the Mogol expression than the Turkomans who encamp near the Persian frontier. The frequent intercourse of the Nogay, in latter years, with the Cherkess, seems to have improved their race; and notwithstanding the enmity that exists between the Turkomans and the Persians, it is still not unlikely that their close vicinity should have produced on the former a similar effect in a lapse of several centuries. The fact we have seen, that the Turkomans marry Persian women, when they take them as prisoners. The Turkoman women are, like the men, tall, and when young, well-shaped; their faces are rounder than those of the men; the cheek-bones less prominent; the eyes black, with fine eye-brows, and many with fair complexion; the nose is rather flat; the mouth small, with a row of regular white teeth. In a word, a great number of the younger part of the community might be reckoned as fair specimens of pretty women. (p. 73)}}

Bode, C.A. "The Yamud and Goklan tribes of Turkomania". Journal of the London Ethnological Society, vol. 1, 1848, pp.&nbsp;60–78.

===Modern history===
[[File:Map of independent Turkic countries..png|thumb|340px|alt=Map highlighting present-day Turkic countries|Independent Turkic states shown in red]]
The Ottoman Empire gradually grew weaker in the face of poor administration, repeated wars with [[Imperial Russia|Russia]] and [[Austro-Hungary]], and the [[emergence of nationalist movements in the Balkans]], and it finally gave way after World War I to the present-day [[Republic of Turkey]].<ref name="Carter V. Findley"/>
Ethnic nationalism also developed in Ottoman Empire during the 19th century, taking the form of [[Pan-Turkism]] or [[Turanism]].

The Turkic peoples of Central Asia were not organized in nation-states during most of the 20th century, after the collapse of the [[Russian Empire]] living either in the Soviet Union or (after a short-lived [[First East Turkestan Republic]]) in the [[Republic of China (1912–49)|Chinese Republic]].

In 1991, after the disintegration of the [[Soviet Union]], five Turkic states gained their independence. These were [[Azerbaijan]], [[Kazakhstan]], [[Kyrgyzstan]], [[Turkmenistan]], and [[Uzbekistan]]. Other Turkic regions such as [[Tatarstan]], [[Tuva]], and [[Yakutia]] remained in the [[Russian Federation]]. [[Chinese Turkestan]] remained part of the [[People's Republic of China]].

Immediately after the independence of the Turkic states, Turkey began seeking diplomatic relations with them. Over time political meetings between the Turkic countries increased and led to the establishment of [[International Organization of Turkic Culture|TÜRKSOY]] in 1993 and later the [[Turkic Council]] in 2009.

==Geographical distribution==
{{Refimprove section|date=February 2010}}
[[File:Carte peuples turcs.png|thumb|250px|Descriptive map of Turkic peoples.]]
[[File:Map-TurkicLanguages.png|thumb|250px|Countries and autonomous subdivisions where a Turkic language has official status and/or is spoken by a majority.]]

Many of the Turkic peoples have their homelands in [[Central Asia]], where the Turkic peoples settled from China. According to historian John Foster, "The Turks emerge from among the [[Huns]] in the middle of [the] fifth century. They were living in [[Liang Dynasty|Liang]] territory when it began to be overrun by the greater principality of [[Northern Wei|Wei]]. Preferring to remain under the rule of their own kind, they moved westward into what is now the province of [[Kansu]]. This was the territory of kindred Huns, who were called the [[Rouran]]. The Turks were a small tribe of only five hundred families, and they became serfs to the Rouran, who used them as iron-workers. It is thought that the original meaning of "Turk" is "helmet", and that they may have taken this name because of the shape of one of the hills near which they worked. As their numbers and power grew, their chief made bold to ask for the hand of a Rouran princess in marriage. The demand was refused, and war followed. In 546, the iron-workers defeated their overlords."<ref>{{cite book|author=Foster, John|title=The Church of the Tang Dynasty|page=13|year=1939|publisher=Macmillan}}</ref> Since then Turkic languages have spread, through migrations and conquests, to other locations including present-day Turkey. While the term "Turk" may refer to a member of any Turkic people, the term ''Turkish'' usually refers specifically to the people and language of the modern country of Turkey.

The Turkic languages constitute a [[language family]] of some 30 languages, spoken across a vast area from [[Eastern Europe]] and the [[Mediterranean Sea|Mediterranean]], to [[Siberia]] and Western China, and through to the Middle East.

Some 170 million people have a Turkic language as their native language;<ref name=distribution>[http://www.ethnologue.com/show_family.asp?subid=90010 Turkic Language family tree] entries provide the information on the Turkic-speaking populations and regions.</ref> an additional 20 million people speak a Turkic language as a [[second language]]. The Turkic language with the greatest number of speakers is [[Turkish language|Turkish proper]], or [[Anatolia]]n Turkish, the speakers of which account for about 40% of all Turkic speakers.<ref name="LanguagesOfTheWorld"/> More than one third of these are ethnic [[Turkish people|Turks of Turkey]], dwelling predominantly in Turkey proper and formerly [[Ottoman Empire|Ottoman]]-dominated areas of Eastern Europe and [[West Asia]]; as well as in Western Europe, Australia and the Americas as a result of immigration. The remainder of the Turkic people are concentrated in Central Asia, Russia, the [[Caucasus]], China, and northern Iraq.

At present, there are six independent Turkic countries: [[Azerbaijan]], [[Kazakhstan]], [[Kyrgyzstan]], [[Turkmenistan]], [[Turkey]], [[Uzbekistan]]; There are also several Turkic national subdivisions<ref>[http://www.sonsoftheconquerors.com/16501.html?*session*id*key*=*session*id*val* Across Central Asia], a New Bond Grows – Iron Curtain's Fall Has
Spawned a Convergence for Descendants of Turkic Nomad Hordes</ref> in the [[Russia|Russian Federation]] including [[Bashkortostan]], [[Tatarstan]], [[Chuvash Republic|Chuvashia]], [[Khakassia]], [[Tuva]], [[Sakha Republic|Yakutia]], the [[Altai Republic]], [[Kabardino-Balkaria]], and [[Karachayevo-Cherkessiya]]. Each of these subdivisions has its own flag, parliament, laws, and official state language (in addition to [[Russian language|Russian]]).

The [[Xinjiang|Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region]] in western China and the autonomous region of [[Gagauzia]], located within eastern [[Moldova]] and bordering Ukraine to the north, are two major autonomous Turkic regions. The [[Crimea|Autonomous Republic of Crimea]] within Ukraine is a home of [[Crimean Tatars]]. In addition, there are several [[Iraq]], [[Georgia (country)|Georgia]], [[Bulgaria]], the [[Republic of Macedonia]], [[Tajikistan]], [[Afghanistan]], and western [[Mongolia]].

The Turks in Turkey are over 60 million<!-- According to a 2008 report prepared for the [[National Security Council (Turkey) of Turkey by academics of three Turkish universities in eastern Anatolia, there were approximately 50 to 55 million ethnic Turks --><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.milliyet.com.tr/turkiye-deki-kurtlerin-sayisi--magazin-873452/|title=Türkiye'deki Kürtlerin sayısı!|trans-title=The number of Kurds in Turkey!|language=tr|newspaper=[[Milliyet]]|date=6 June 2008|accessdate=16 November 2016}}</ref> to 70 million worldwide, while the second largest Turkic people are the [[Azerbaijanis]], numbering 22 to 38 million worldwide; most of them live in Azerbaijan and Iran.

[[Turks in India]] are very small in number. There are barely 150 Turkish people from Turkey in India. These are recent immigrants. Descendants of Turkish rulers also exist in Northern India. Mughals who are part Turkic people also live in India in significant numbers. They are descendants of the Mughal rulers of India. [[Karlugh Turks]] are also found in the Haraza region and in smaller number in Azad Kashmir region of Pakistan. Small amount of Uyghurs are also present in India. Turks also exist in Pakistan in similar proportions. One of the tribe in Hazara region of Pakistan is [[Karlugh Turks]] which is direct descendant of Turks of Central Asia. Turkish influence in Pakistan can be seen through the national language, Urdu, which comes from a Turkish word meaning "horde" or "army".

The [[Western Yugur]] at Gansu in China, Salar at Qinghai in China, the [[Dolgan]] at Krasnoyarsk Krai in Russia, and the Nogai at Dagestan in Russia are the Turk minorities in the respective regions.

==International organizations==
[[File:Map-TurksoyMembers.png|thumb|right|200px|Map of [[Joint Administration of Turkic Arts and Culture|TÜRKSOY]] members.]]
{{further information|Pan-Turkism}}
{{Expand section|date=December 2009}}

There are several international organizations created with the purpose of furthering cooperation between countries with Turkic-speaking populations, such as the [[Joint Administration of Turkic Arts and Culture]] (TÜRKSOY) and the Parliamentary Assembly of Turkic-speaking Countries (TÜRKPA).

The newly established [[Turkic Council]], founded on November 3, 2009 by the ''Nakhchivan Agreement'' Mongolian confederation, [[Kazakhstan]], [[Kyrgyzstan]] and Turkey, aims to integrate these organizations into a tighter geopolitical framework.

The [[TAKM]] – Organization of the Eurasian Law Enforcement Agencies with Military Status, established on 25 January 2013.

==Demographics==
[[File:Bashkir in Paris.jpg|200px|thumb|[[Bashkirs]], painting from 1812, Paris]]
The distribution of people of Turkic cultural background ranges from [[Siberia]], across Central Asia, to Eastern Europe. {{As of | 2011}} the largest groups of Turkic people live throughout Central Asia—[[Kazakhstan]], [[Kyrgyzstan]], [[Turkmenistan]], [[Uzbekistan]], and [[Azerbaijan]], in addition to [[Turkey]] and [[Iran]]. Additionally, Turkic people are found within [[Crimea]], [[Altishahr]] region of western [[China]], northern [[Iraq]], [[Israel]], [[Russia]], [[Afghanistan]], and the [[Balkans]]: [[Moldova]], [[Bulgaria]], [[Romania]], and former [[Yugoslavia]]. A small number of Turkic people also live in [[Vilnius]], the capital of [[Lithuania]]. Small numbers inhabit eastern [[Poland]] and the south-eastern part of [[Finland]].<ref>Substantial numbers (possibly several millions) of maghrebis of the former Ottoman colonies in North Africa are of Ottoman Turkish descent. [[Finnish Tatars]]</ref> There are also considerable populations of Turkic people (originating mostly from [[Turkey]]) in [[Germany]], [[United States]], and [[Australia]], largely because of migrations during the 20th century.

Sometimes ethnographers group Turkic people into six branches: the [[Oghuz Turks]], [[Kipchaks|Kipchak]], [[Karluks|Karluk]], [[Siberia]]n, [[Chuvash people|Chuvash]], and [[Sakha language|Sakha/Yakut]] branches. The Oghuz have been termed Western Turks, while the remaining five, in such a classificatory scheme, are called Eastern Turks.

All the Turkic peoples native to Central Asia are of mixed Caucasoid and Mongoloid origin. The genetic distances between the different populations of Uzbeks scattered across Uzbekistan is no greater than the distance between many of them and the Karakalpaks. This suggests that Karakalpaks and Uzbeks have very similar origins. The Karakalpaks have a somewhat greater bias towards the eastern markers than the Uzbeks.<ref>''The Karakalpak Gene Pool'' (Spencer Wells, 2001); and discussion and conclusions at www.karakalpak.com/genetics.html</ref>

'''Historical population:'''

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Year !! Population
|-
| 1 AD|| 2–2.5 million?
|-
| 2013 || 150–200 million
|}

The Turkic people display a great variety of ethnic types.<ref>[http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/609972/Turkic-people#tab=active~checked%2Citems~checked&title=Turkic%20people%20--%20Britannica%20Online%20Encyclopedia Turkic people, Encyclopædia Britannica, Online Edition, 2008]</ref> They possess physical features ranging from [[Caucasoid]] to [[Northern Mongoloid]]. Mongoloid and Caucasoid facial structure is common among many Turkic groups, such as [[Chuvash people]], [[Tatars]], [[Kazakhs]], [[Uzbeks]], and [[Bashkirs]].

The following incomplete list of Turkic people shows the respective groups' core areas of settlement and their estimated sizes (in millions):
{| class="wikitable sortable" id="table1"
|-
! People
! Primary homeland
! Population
! Modern language
! Predominant religion and sect
|-
| [[Turkish people|Turks]]
| [[Turkey]]
| <div style="display: none;">60</div> 70 M
| [[Turkish language|Turkish]]
| Sunni Islam
|-
| [[Azerbaijanis]]
| [[Azerbaijan (Iran)|Iranian Azerbaijan]], [[Azerbaijan|Republic of Azerbaijan]]
| <div style="display: none;">42</div> 35 M
| [[Azerbaijani language|Azerbaijani]]
| Shia Islam
|-
| [[Uzbeks]]
| [[Uzbekistan]]
|  <div style="display: none;">32</div> 28.3 M
| [[Uzbeks|Uzbek]]
| Sunni Islam
|-
| [[Kazakhs]]
| [[Kazakhstan]]
|  <div style="display: none;">15</div> 13.8 M
| [[Kazakh language|Kazakh]]
| Sunni Islam
|-
| [[Uyghurs]]
| [[Altishahr]] (China)
|  <div style="display: none;">15</div>  9 M
| [[Uyghur language|Uyghur]]
| Sunni Islam
|-
| [[Turkmens]]
| [[Turkmenistan]]
| <div style="display: none;">03</div> 8 M
| [[Turkmen language|Turkmen]]
| Sunni Islam
|-
| [[Tatars]]
| [[Tatarstan]]
| <div style="display: none;">07</div> 7 M
| [[Tatar language|Tatar]]
| Sunni Islam
|-
| [[Kyrgyz people|Kyrgyzs]]
| [[Kyrgyzstan]]
| <div style="display: none;">026</div> 4.5 M
| [[Kyrgyz language|Kyrgyz]]
| Sunni Islam
|-
| [[Bashkir people|Bashkirs]]
| [[Bashkortostan]] (Russia)
| <div style="display: none;">009</div> 2 M
| [[Bashkir language|Bashkir]]
| Sunni Islam
|-
| [[Crimean Tatars]]
| [[Crimea, Ukraine|Crimea]] (Russia/Ukraine)
| <div style="display: none;">009</div> 0.5 to 2 M
| [[Crimean Tatar language|Crimean Tatar]]
| Sunni Islam
|-
| [[Qashqai people|Qashqai]]
| Southern Iran
| <div style="display: none;">009</div> 1.7 M
| [[Qashqai language|Qashqai]]
| Shia Islam
|-
| [[Chuvash people|Chuvashes]]
| [[Chuvashia]]
| <div style="display: none;">010</div>  1.7 M
| [[Chuvash language|Chuvash]]
| Orthodox Christianity
|-
| [[Karakalpaks]]
| [[Karakalpakstan]] (Uzbekistan)
| <div style="display: none;">007</div> 0.6 M
| [[Karakalpak language|Karakalpak]]
| Sunni Islam
|-
| [[Yakuts]]
| [[Yakutia]] (Russia)
| <div style="display: none;">007</div> 0.5 M
| [[Sakha language|Sakha]]
| Orthodox Christianity
|-
| [[Kumyks]]
| [[Dagestan]] (Russia)
| <div style="display: none;">007</div> 0.4 M
| [[Kumyk language|Kumyk]]
| Sunni Islam
|-
| [[Karachay]]s and [[Balkar]]s
| [[Karachay-Cherkessia]] and [[Kabardino-Balkaria]] (Russia)
| <div style="display: none;">007</div> 0.4 M
| [[Karachay-Balkar language|Karachay-Balkar]]
| Sunni Islam
|-
| [[Tuvans]]
| [[Tuva]] (Russia)
| <div style="display: none;">009</div> 0.3 M
| [[Tuvan language|Tuvan]]
| Tibetan Buddhism
|-
| [[Gagauz people|Gagauzs]]
| [[Gagauzia]] (Moldova)
| <div style="display: none;">009</div> 0.2 M
| [[Gagauz language|Gagauz]]
| Orthodox Christianity
|-
| [[Crimean Karaites|Turkic Karaites]] and [[Krymchaks]]
| [[Ukraine]]
| <div style="display: none;">007</div> 0.2 M
| [[Karaim language|Karaim]] and [[Krymchak language|Krymchak]]
| Judaism
|}

==Language==
[[File:Codex Cumanicus 58.jpg|thumb|200px|right|A page from "[[Codex Cumanicus|Codex Kumanicus]]". The [[Codex]] was designed in order to help [[Catholic]] [[missionaries]] communicate with the [[Cumans|Kumans]].]]
{{Main article|Turkic languages|Proto-Turkic language}}
{{Further information|Turkic alphabets (disambiguation)}}

The Turkic alphabets are sets of related alphabets with letters (formerly known as [[runes]]), used for writing mostly [[Turkic languages]]. Inscriptions in Turkic alphabets were found in [[Mongolia]]. Most of the preserved inscriptions were dated to between 8th and 10th centuries CE.

The earliest positively dated and read Turkic inscriptions date from c. 150, and the alphabets were generally replaced by the [[Old Uyghur alphabet]] in the [[Central Asia]], Arabic script in the Middle and Western Asia, Greek-derived [[Cyrillic]] in Eastern Europe and in the Balkans, and [[Latin alphabet]] in Central Europe. The latest recorded use of [[Turkic alphabets (disambiguation)|Turkic alphabet]] was recorded in Central Europe's Hungary in 1699 CE.

The Turkic [[Old Turkic alphabet|runiform]] scripts, unlike other typologically close scripts of the world, do not have a uniform [[palaeography]] as, for example, have the [[Gothic language|Gothic]] runes, noted for the exceptional uniformity of its language and paleography.<ref>Vasiliev D.D. Graphical fund of Turkic runiform writing monuments in Asian areal, М., 1983, p. 44</ref> The Turkic alphabets are divided into four groups, the best known of them is the [[Orkhon script|Orkhon]] version of the Enisei group. The Orkhon script is the alphabet used by the [[Göktürk]]s from the 8th century to record the [[Old Turkic language]]. It was later used by the [[Uyghur Empire]]; a [[Yenisei]] variant is known from 9th-century [[Kyrgyz people|Kyrgyz]] inscriptions, and it has likely cousins in the [[Talas Valley]] of [[Turkestan]] and the [[Old Hungarian script]] of the 10th century.

The Turkic language family is traditionally considered to be part of the proposed [[Altaic languages|Altaic language family]].<ref name="LanguagesOfTheWorld">{{cite book|last=Katzner|first=Kenneth|title=Languages of the World, Third Edition|publisher=Routledge, an imprint of Taylor & Francis Books Ltd.|date=March 2002|isbn=978-0-415-25004-7}}</ref><ref name="Ethnologue Altaic">{{cite web|author=Gordon, Raymond G., Jr. (ed.)|authorlink=Ethnologue|url=http://www.ethnologue.com/show_family.asp?subid=90009|title=Ethnologue: Languages of the World, Fifteenth edition. Language Family Trees – Altaic|accessdate = 2007-03-18|year=2005}}</ref><ref>Georg, S., Michalove, P.A., Manaster Ramer, A., Sidwell, P.J.: "Telling general linguists about Altaic", ''Journal of Linguistics'' 35 (1999): 65–98 [http://journals.cambridge.org/action/displayAbstract?fromPage=online&aid=17033 Online abstract and link to free pdf]</ref><ref>[http://search.eb.com/eb/article-9073847 Turkic peoples], [[Encyclopædia Britannica]], Online Academic Edition, 2008</ref>

The various Turkic languages are usually considered in geographical groupings: the [[Oghuz languages|Oghuz]] (or Southwestern) languages, the [[Kipchaks|Kypchak]] (or Northwestern) languages, the Eastern languages (like [[Uyghur language|Uygur]]), the Northern languages (like [[Altay language|Altay]] and [[Yakut language|Yakut]]), and one existing [[Oghur languages|Oghur]] language: [[Chuvash language|Chuvash]] (the other Oghur languages, like [[Huns|Hunnic]] and Bulgaric, are now extinct). The high mobility and intermixing of Turkic peoples in history makes an exact classification extremely difficult.

The [[Turkish language]] belongs to the Oghuz subfamily of Turkic. It is for the most part mutually intelligible with the other Oghuz languages, which include [[Azerbaijani language|Azerbaijani]], [[Gagauz language|Gagauz]], [[Turkmen language|Turkmen]] and [[Urum language|Urum]], and to a varying extent with the other Turkic languages.

==Religion==
[[File:Kyzyl Shaman.jpg|thumb|150px|right|A shaman doctor of [[Kyzyl]].]]

===Early Turkic mythology and shamanism===
{{main article|Mythology of the Turkic and Mongolian peoples|Shamanism in Central Asia}}
Pre-Islamic Turkic mythology was dominated by [[Shamanism in Central Asia|shamanism]]. The chief deity was
[[Tengri]], a [[sky god]], worshipped by the upper classes of early Turkic society until [[Manichaeism]] was introduced as the official religion of the [[Uyghur Empire]] in 763.
The [[gray wolf|wolf]] symbolizes honour and is also considered the mother of most Turkic peoples. [[Asena]] (Ashina Tuwu) is the wolf mother of [[Tumen Il-Qağan]], the first Khan of the [[Göktürks]]. The [[horse]] is also one of the main figures of Turkic mythology.

===Religious conversions===
[[File:Pavlodar-Moschea.JPG|thumb|left|150px|[[Mosque]] in [[Kazakhstan]].]]

Tengri Bögü Khan made the now extinct [[Manichaeism]] the state religion of [[Uyghur Khaganate]] in 763 and it was also popular in [[Karluks]]. It was gradually replaced by the [[Mahayana Buddhism]].{{citation needed|date=May 2014}} It existed in the Buddhist Uyghur [[Gaochang]] up to the 12th century.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.eurasianhistory.com/data/articles/j02/1686.html|title=关于回鹘摩尼教史的几个问题|publisher=|accessdate=18 March 2015}}</ref>

[[Tibetan Buddhism]], or [[Vajrayana]] was the main religion after Manichaeism.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.xjass.com/mzwh/content/2008-09/08/content_29600.htm|title=元明时期的新疆藏传佛教|publisher=|accessdate=18 March 2015}}</ref> They worshipped [[Buddha|Täŋri Täŋrisi Burxan]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.xjass.com/ls/content/2009-11/15/content_117347.htm|title=回鹘文《陶师本生》及其特点|publisher=|accessdate=18 March 2015}}</ref> [[Guanyin|Quanšï Im Pusar]]<ref>[http://www.tanghistory.net/data/articles/d02/621.html 回鹘观音信仰考]</ref> and [[Maitreya|Maitri Burxan]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ccbs.ntu.edu.tw/FULLTEXT/JR-BJ001/93572.htm|title=回鶻彌勒信仰考|publisher=|accessdate=18 March 2015}}</ref> Turkic [[Muslim conquest in the Indian subcontinent]] and west [[Xinjiang]] attributed with a rapid and almost total disappearance of it and other religions in North India and Central Asia. The [[Yugur|Sari Uygurs]] "Yellow Yughurs" of Western China, as well as the [[Tuvans]] and [[Altai people|Altai]] of Russia are the only remaining [[Buddhist]] Turkic peoples.

The [[Krymchaks]] of Eastern Europe (Especially [[Crimea]]) are [[Jewish]], and there are Turks of Jewish backgrounds who live in major cities such as Istanbul, Ankara and Baku. The [[Crimean Karaites|Khazars]] widely practiced Judaism before their conversion to Islam.{{citation needed|date=September 2011}}

Even though many Turkic peoples became [[Islam|Muslims]] under the influence of [[Sufi]]s, often of Shī‘ah persuasion, most Turkic people today are [[Sunni]] Muslims, although a significant number in Turkey are [[Alevi]]s. Alevi Turks, who were once primarily dwelling in eastern Anatolia, are today concentrated in major urban centers in western Turkey with the increased urbanism.

The major Christian-Turkic peoples are the [[Chuvash people|Chuvash]] of [[Chuvash Republic|Chuvashia]] and the [[Gagauz people|Gagauz]] (''Gökoğuz'') of [[Moldova]]. The traditional religion of the [[Chuvash people|Chuvash]] of Russia, while containing many ancient Turkic concepts, also shares some elements with [[Zoroastrianism]], [[Khazar]] Judaism, and Islam.
The Chuvash converted to [[Eastern Orthodox Christianity]] for the most part in the second half of the 19th century. As a result, festivals and rites were made to coincide with Orthodox feasts, and Christian rites replaced their traditional counterparts. A minority of the Chuvash still profess their traditional faith.<ref>Guide to Russia:[http://russiatoday.strana.ru/en/profile/people/nat/1482.html Chuvash]</ref> [[Church of the East]] was popular among Turks such as the [[Naimans]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://dsr.nii.ac.jp/narratives/discovery/09/index.html.zh|title=景教艺术在西域之发现|publisher=|accessdate=18 March 2015}}</ref> It even revived in Gaochang and expanded in [[Xinjiang]] in the [[Yuan dynasty]] period.<ref>[http://hk.plm.org.cn/e_book/xz-16914.pdf 高昌回鹘与环塔里木多元文化的融合]</ref><ref>[http://zzs.chd.edu.cn/kjqk/xbjzgcxyxb-shkx/xbjz2006/0603pdf/060316.pdf 唐代中围景教与景教本部教会的关系]</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.xjass.com/mzwh/content/2008-06/30/content_14081.htm|title=景教在西域的传播|publisher=|accessdate=18 March 2015}}</ref> It disappeared after its collapse.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.stnn.cc/geography/200607/t20060704_270851.html|title=新闻_星岛环球网|publisher=|accessdate=18 March 2015}}</ref><ref>[http://www.hkbu.edu.hk/~lewi/WPS/97%20_Duan.pdf 7–11 世紀景教在陸上絲綢之路的傳播]</ref>

==Old sports==
[[File:Catchthegirl.JPG|thumb|[[Kyz kuu]].]]

The [[Kyz kuu]] (chase the girl) – it has been played by Turkic people at festivals since time immemorial.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Mayor|first1=Adrienne|title=The Amazons: Lives and Legends of Warrior Women across the Ancient World|publisher=Princeton University Press.|ref=https://books.google.com/books?id=rboWBAAAQBAJ&pg=PA397&lpg=PA397&dq=kyz+kuu&source=bl&ots=5okbMtImN1&sig=QtYrxQceMMtIVa-7xFpeV24T1o0&hl=sv&sa=X&ei=_jJNVL-LG4a4ygOytYL4CQ&ved=0CFAQ6AEwBzgK#v=onepage&q=kyz%20kuu&f=false}}</ref>

The [[Jereed]] – Horses have been essential and even sacred animals for Turks living as nomadic tribes in the Central Asian steppes. Turks were born, grew up, lived, fought and died on horseback. So became jereed the most important sporting and ceremonial game of Turkish people.<ref>{{cite web|last=Burak|first=Sansal|url=http://www.allaboutturkey.com/javelin.htm|title=Turkish Jereed (Javelin)|publisher=All About Turkey|accessdate=16 November 2016}}</ref>

The [[Buzkashi|kokpar]] began with the nomadic Turkic peoples who have come from farther north and east spreading westward from China and Mongolia between the 10th and 15th centuries.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Christensen|first1=karen|last2=Levinson|first2=David|title=Encyclopedia of World Sport: From Ancient Times to the Present|ref=https://books.google.com/books?id=Q8NMAgAAQBAJ&pg=PA68&lpg=PA68&dq=buzkashi+turkic&source=bl&ots=PQ4b1BFVyz&sig=kK9YCrtYFLU3VVSgCDV1Oep9buU&hl=sv&sa=X&ei=PKVLVIn6NOrOygOWhoG4Dg&ved=0CEcQ6AEwBTgK#v=onepage&q=buzkashi%20turkic&f=false}}</ref>

The [[Dzhigit|jigit]] which is used in the Caucasus and Central Asia to describe a skillful and brave equestrian, or a brave person in general.<ref>{{cite web|title=jigs|website=dic.academic.ru|ref=http://dic.academic.ru/dic.nsf/ushakov/788222}}</ref>

==Gallery==

===Images of Mongoloid Buddhist and Manichean Turkic Uyghurs from the [[Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves|Bezeklik caves]] and [[Mogao Caves|Mogao grottoes]]===
<gallery>
File:Dunhuang Uighur king.jpg|Uyghur king from Turfan, from the murals at the Dunhuang Mogao Caves.
File:Uighur prince from Bezeklik murals.jpg|Uyghur prince from the Bezeklik murals.
File:Uighur woman from Bezeklik murals.jpg|Uyghur woman from the Bezeklik murals.
File:UighurPrincess.png|Uyghur Princess.
File:Museum für Indische Kunst Dahlem Berlin Mai 2006 064.jpg|Uyghur Princesses from the Bezeklik murals.
File:Museum für Indische Kunst Dahlem Berlin Mai 2006 063.jpg|Uyghur Princes from the Bezeklik murals.
File:Uigure-bezeklik-17.jpg|Uyghur Prince from the Bezeklik murals.
File:Uigure-bezeklik-19.jpg|Uyghur noble from the Bezeklik murals.
File:Uighur man from Bezeklik murals.jpg|Uyghur noble from the Bezeklik murals.
File:Museum für Indische Kunst Dahlem Berlin Mai 2006 067.jpg|Uyghur donor from the Bezeklik murals.
File:ManichaeanElectaeKocho10thCentury.jpg|Uyghur Manichaean Electae from Qocho.
File:Museum für Indische Kunst Dahlem Berlin Mai 2006 066.jpg|Uyghur Manichaean clergymen from Qocho.
File:Museum für Indische Kunst Dahlem Berlin Mai 2006 061.jpg|Art from Qocho.
File:Manicheans.jpg|Manicheans from Qocho
</gallery>

===Medieval times===
<gallery>
File:Omurtag1.jpg|Khan [[Omurtag]] of [[Old Great Bulgaria|Bulgaria]], from the Chronicle of [[John Skylitzes]].
|Turkic warrior with prisoner. There is no agreement if this warrior is a [[Pannonian Avars|Pannonian Avar]], [[Bulgars|Bulgar]], or [[Khazar]].
</gallery>

===Modern times===
<gallery mode="packed-hover" heights="150px">
File:Azerigirls.JPG|[[Azerbaijani people|Azerbaijani]] girls in traditional dress.
File:Gagauz-children.jpg|Young and old [[Gagauz people]].
File:Turkman girl in national dress.jpg|[[Turkmens|Turkmen]] girl in national dress.
File:Uzbek Kids.JPG|[[Uzbeks|Uzbek]] children in [[Samarkand]].
File:Tavla oynayan kadınlar, Serik - Women playing backgammon in Turkey.jpg|[[Turkey|Turkish]] women playing backgammon.
File:RIAN archive 477235 U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton visits Tatarstan.jpg|U.S. Secretary of State [[Hillary Clinton]] visits [[Tatarstan]].
File:Young bashqorts.jpg|[[Bashkirs|Bashkir]] boys in national dress.
File:Тухья анат енчи.jpg|A [[Chuvashes|Chuvash]] woman in traditional dress.
File:Uyghur man Yarkand.jpg|Uyghur man of [[Yarkant County|Yarkand]].
File:Uigurs-Turpan.jpg|Two Uyghur elders from [[Turpan]].
File:Russian Winter Festival London 2007 115.jpg|A female [[Chuvashes|Chuvash]] dancer in traditional dress.
File:Tatar woman XVIII century.jpg|[[Tatars|Tatar]] woman in the 18th century.
File:Azeri Female from Baku 1897.jpg|Female [[Azerbaijani people|Azerbaijani]] from [[Baku]].
File:Karachay patriarchs in the 19th century.jpg|[[Karachays|Karachay]] patriarchs in the 19th century
File:Uyghur farmer.jpg|Uyghur farmer, [[Xinjiang]].
File:SB - Altai man in national suit on horse.jpg|[[Altay people|Altay]] man in national suit on horse
File:SB - Inside a Kazakh yurt.jpg|Kazakh family inside a [[Yurt]]
</gallery>

==See also==
{{Div col}}
* [[Por-Bazhyn]]
* [[Ordu-Baliq]]
* [[Jankent]]
* [[Chigils|Chigils Turks]]
* [[Bulaqs]]
* [[Shato]]
* [[Pan-Turanism]]
* [[Pan-Turkism]]
* [[Turkic languages]]
* [[Turkic migrations]]
* [[Turko-Iranian (disambiguation)|Turko-Iranian]]
* [[Turko-Persian tradition]]
* [[Turko-Mongol]]
* [[Turkology]]
* [[List of ethnic groups]]
* [[List of Turkic dynasties and countries]]
* [[European ethnic groups]]
* [[Peoples of the Caucasus]]
* [[Zubu]]
{{Div col end}}

==References==
{{reflist|30em}}

==Further reading==
* Alpamysh, H.B. Paksoy: [http://vlib.iue.it/carrie/texts/carrie_books/paksoy-1/ Central Asian Identity under Russian Rule] (Hartford: AACAR, 1989)
*{{cite book|author=H. B. Paksoy|title=Alpamysh: Central Asian Identity Under Russian Rule|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_KkOGNefbfsC&printsec=frontcover&dq=burxan+furxan&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjE6ai7htbNAhVLKx4KHTs8C2g4ChDoAQg3MAU#v=onepage&q&f=false|year=1989|publisher=AACAR|isbn=978-0-9621379-9-0}}
* Amanjolov A.S., "History of тhe Ancient Turkic Script", Almaty, "Mektep", 2003, ISBN 9965-16-204-2
* Baichorov S.Ya., "Ancient Turkic runic monuments of the Europe", Stavropol, 1989 (in Russian).
* Baskakov, N.A. 1962, 1969. ''Introduction to the study of the Turkic languages''. Moscow (in Russian).
* [[Beckwith, Christopher I.]] (2009): ''Empires of the Silk Road: A History of Central Eurasia from the Bronze Age to the Present''. Princeton: Princeton University Press. ISBN 978-0-691-13589-2.
* Boeschoten, Hendrik & Lars Johanson. 2006. ''Turkic languages in contact''. Turcologica, Bd. 61. Wiesbaden: Harrassowitz. ISBN 3-447-05212-0.
* [[Chavannes, Édouard]] (1900): ''Documents sur les Tou-kiue (Turcs) occidentaux.'' Paris, Librairie d'Amérique et d'Orient. Reprint: Taipei. Cheng Wen Publishing Co. 1969.
* Clausen, Gerard. 1972. ''An etymological dictionary of pre-thirteenth-century Turkish''. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
* Deny,  Jean et al. 1959–1964. ''Philologiae Turcicae Fundamenta''. Wiesbaden: Harrassowitz.
* Findley, Carter Vaughn. 2005. ''The Turks in World History''. Oxford University Press. ISBN 0-19-516770-8; ISBN 0-19-517726-6 (pbk.)
* Golden, Peter B. ''An introduction to the history of the Turkic peoples: Ethnogenesis and state-formation in medieval and early modern Eurasia and the Middle East'' (Otto Harrassowitz (Wiesbaden) 1992) ISBN 3-447-03274-X
* {{cite book|author=Peter B. Golden|title=An Introduction to the History of the Turkic Peoples: Ethnogenesis and State-formation in Medieval and Early Modern Eurasia and the Middle East|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5B6xMQEACAAJ&dq=burxan+furxan&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjE6ai7htbNAhVLKx4KHTs8C2g4ChDoAQhDMAc|date=1 January 1992|publisher=O. Harrassowitz|isbn=978-3-447-03274-2}}
* Heywood, Colin. ''The Turks (The Peoples of Europe)'' (Blackwell 2005), ISBN 978-0-631-15897-4.
* Hostler, Charles Warren. ''The Turks of Central Asia'' (Greenwood Press, November 1993), ISBN 0-275-93931-6.
* Ishjatms N., "Nomads In Eastern Central Asia", in the "History of civilizations of Central Asia", Volume 2, UNESCO Publishing, 1996, ISBN 92-3-102846-4.
* Johanson, Lars & Éva Agnes Csató (ed.). 1998. ''The Turkic languages''. London: Routledge. ISBN 0-415-08200-5.
* Johanson, Lars. 1998. "The history of Turkic." In: Johanson & Csató, pp.&nbsp;81–125. [http://www.turkiclanguages.com/www/classification.html Classification of Turkic languages]
* Johanson, Lars. 1998. "Turkic languages." In: ''Encyclopædia Britannica''. CD 98. Encyclopædia Britannica Online, 5 September. 2007. [http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-80003/Turkic-languages Turkic languages: Linguistic history].
* Kyzlasov I.L., "Runic Scripts of Eurasian Steppes", Moscow, Eastern Literature, 1994, ISBN 5-02-017741-5.
* Lebedynsky, Iaroslav. (2006). ''Les Saces: Les « Scythes » d'Asie, VIII<sup>e</sup> siècle apr. J.-C.'' Editions Errance, Paris. ISBN 2-87772-337-2.
* Malov S.E., "Monuments of the ancient Turkic inscriptions. Texts and research", M.-L., 1951 (in Russian).
* Mukhamadiev A., "Turanian Writing", in "Problems Of Lingo-Ethno-History Of The Tatar People", Kazan, 1995 (Азгар Мухамадиев, "Туранская Письменность", "Проблемы лингвоэтноистории татарского народа", Казань, 1995) (in Russian).
* Menges, K. H. 1968. ''The Turkic languages and peoples: An introduction to Turkic studies''. Wiesbaden: Harrassowitz.
* Öztopçu, Kurtuluş. 1996. Dictionary of the Turkic languages: English, Azerbaijani, Kazakh, Kyrgyz, Tatar, Turkish, Turkmen, Uighur, Uzbek. London: Routledge. ISBN 0-415-14198-2
* Samoilovich, A. N. 1922. ''Some additions to the classification of the Turkish languages''. Petrograd.
* Schönig, Claus. 1997–1998. "A new attempt to classify the Turkic languages I-III." ''Turkic Languages'' 1:1.117–133, 1:2.262–277, 2:1.130–151.
* Vasiliev D.D. Graphical fund of Turkic runiform writing monuments in Asian areal. М., 198 (in Russian).
* Vasiliev D.D. Corpus of Turkic runiform monuments in the basin of Enisei. М., 1983 (in Russian).
* Voegelin, C.F. & F.M. Voegelin. 1977. ''Classification and index of the World's languages''. New York: Elsevier.
* {{cite book | last = Khanbaghi | first = Aptin | title = The Fire, the Star and the Cross: Minority Religions in Medieval and Early Modern Iran | publisher = I.B. Tauris | year = 2006 | isbn = 978-1845110567 | ref = harv}}
* {{cite book | last = Yarshater | first = Ehsan | title = Encyclopedia Iranica | publisher = Routledge & Kegan Paul | year = 2001 | isbn = 0933273568 | ref = harv}}

==External links==
{{wiktionary|Türk}}
{{Commons category|Turkic peoples}}
{{EB1911 Poster|Turks}}
* [http://www.umich.edu/~turkish/turkic.html Turkish Studies - Turkic republics, regions, and peoples] at [[University of Michigan]]
* [http://users.pandora.be/orientaal/links.html Türkçekent Orientaal's links for Turkish Language Learning]
* [http://users.pandora.be/orientaal/turkcestan.html Türkçestan Orientaal's links to Turkic languages]
* [http://www.tatar.net Crimean Tatar Internet Resources]
'''New DNA Results'''
* [http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/openurl?genre=article&sid=nlm:pubmed&issn=0003-4800&date=2000&volume=64&issue=2&spage=145 "Probable ancestors of Hungarian ethnic groups: an admixture analysis"C. R. GUGLIELMINO1, A. DE SILVESTRI2 and J. BERES]
* [http://www.nature.com/ejhg/journal/v8/n5/abs/5200468a.html MtDNA and Y chromosome polymorphisms in Hungary: inferences from the Palaeolithic, Neolithic and Uralic influences on the modern Hungarian gene pool]
* [http://www.bookrags.com/history/worldhistory/dastan-turkic-ema-02/ World History Study Guide'': "Dastan Turkic" at BookRsgs.com]
* [http://web.mst.edu/~gdoty/poems/altaic/ The ''Altaic Epic'']
* Downloadable article: "Evidence that a West-East admixed population lived in the Tarim Basin as early as the early Bronze Age" Li et al. ''BMC Biology'' 2010, 8:15. [http://www.biomedcentral.com/content/pdf/1741-7007-8-15.pdf]

{{Turkic topics}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Turkic Peoples}}
[[Category:Turkic peoples| ]]
[[Category:Ethnic groups in China]]
[[Category:Central Asian people]]
[[Category:Nomadic groups in Eurasia]]