Turks are one of the most ancient nations mentioned in history. In our thousands of years of culture, we have established countless states and left important traces in world history. The 16 great Turkish states, on the other hand, are the most notable among them and have left traces that have influenced even today’s world. Let’s take a closer look at the first Turkish states and briefly their features.
When we examine the scientific sources, we come across the Turkish name for the first time in Chinese sources dating back to the 3rd century BC. While the sources dating to the 6th century confirm the Turkish name, the Orkhon Inscriptions dated to the 8th century clearly reveal that the Turks are one of the oldest and most ancient nations. Our nation, which has thousands of years of history, has established countless states throughout history. and has left significant traces in world history.
The concept of 16 great Turkish states was first put forward by the cartographer Akib Özbek in 1969. Even though some historians such as Nihal Atsız mention that there are some doubts about the Turkishness of these states. With the period of Kenan Evren, this concept has become accepted. Of course, the real number is much higher, but the 16 great Turkish states are extremely important among the first Turkish states.
Among the first Turkish states established in history, 16 great Turkish states and their characteristics:
- Great Hun Empire
- Western Hun Empire
- European Hun Empire
- White Hun Empire
- Gokturk Khaganate
- Avar Khaganate
- Khazar Khaganate
- Uyghur Khaganate
- Karakhanid State
- Ghazni State
- Great Seljuk Empire
- State of the Khwarazmshahs
- Golden Horde State
- Timurid Empire
- Mughal Empire
- Ottoman Empire
First Turkish state: Great Hun Empire
The Great Hun Empire, also known as the Asian Hun Empire, was located in the Eurasian steppes. It was founded by Teoman in 220 BC. During the Teoman period, they held a large part of East Asia, terrified the Chinese and led a nomadic life. One of the most important khans is Mete Han. It was disbanded in 58 BC due to the Chinese games.
It had a short life: the Western Hun Empire
After the great Hun Empire collapsed, some Huns wanted to come under Chinese rule, Panu, He founded the Western Hun Empire in 56 BC. The life of the state, which was dissolved in 36 BC, was short.
Shaped Europe: The European Hun Empire
A group of Turks, who wanted to get away from the chaos of Central Asia, rode west, captured a large part of Eastern Europe in 376. Under the leadership of Balamir, he founded the European Hun Empire. The European Hun Empire, which changed the entire political structure of Europe during the Atilla era, started the Migration of Tribes and destroyed the Western Roman Empire, was dissolved in 469.
They ruled the shores of the Caspian Sea: White Hun Empire
A group of Turks belonging to the Avars settled in 440 in what is today Kyrgyzstan. They established the White Hun Empire around Lake Işık. The state, which was founded under the leadership of Aksuvar, spread to the shores of the Caspian Sea and to India. The White Hun Empire disintegrated in 710.
The most important state in Turkish history: Göktürk Khaganate
Göktürk Khanate, also known as Köktürk Khanate, was founded by Bumin Khan in 551. It is a state based in Ötüken. It is the first state to use the Turkish name in history. Until the dissolution in 744, many different states were established, which were called by different names such as east, west, first and second. Göktürk Khanate is one of the most important state structures in terms of Turkish history and culture.
A kind of alliance: Avar Khaganate
The Avar Khaganate, known as Apar in Turkish, was more than a state founded in 565 by Bayan I. regarded as a kind of nomadic alliance. They ruled in Northeast Asia throughout their reign. They had great influence on the Germanic and Slavic tribes. The Avar Khaganate dissolved in 835.
Jewish Turks: Khazar Khaganate
Khazar Khaganate, founded by Böri Şad in 651; He ruled over vast lands such as the Caspian Sea, Lake Van, the Black Sea, Kyiv, and Hungary. They are the extension of the Western Göktürks. In Byzantine sources, they are mentioned as Turk, not Khazar. Most of them adopted the Jewish religion. The Khazars are thought to be the ancestors of many Eastern European peoples today. The Khazar Khaganate was dissolved in 983.
The most important state after the Göktürks: Uyghur Khaganate
The Uyghur Khaganate, founded in 744 by Kutluk Bilge Kul Khagan, Known by the Chinese as the Nine Clans, namely the Oghuzes. It is considered one of the most important states for Turkish history and culture after the Göktürks, which is already an extension of the Göktürk political structure. The Uyghur Khaganate dissolved in 847.
The first Muslim Turkish state: Karakhanid State
The Karakhanid State, considered the first Muslim Turkish state in Central Asia, was founded in 840 by Bilge Kül Kadir Khan. Karakhanids, a branch of the Karluks, They have a long reign and during this period they have been the dominant power of their region. The Karakhanid State was dissolved in 1212.
They spread Islam in India: Ghazni State
Established by Alp Tigin in 962, the Ghazni State ruled in Afghanistan and India. State, It lived its golden age during the reign of Sultan Mahmud of Ghazni. and expanded its borders. The Ghaznavid State, which enabled the spread of Islam in India, was dissolved in 1183.
He opened the door of Anatolia to the Turks: The Great Seljuk Empire
The Great Seljuk Empire, founded by Tugrul Bey in 1040, He played an important role during the Crusades. As a result of the Battle of Manzikert during the reign of Sultan Alp Arslan, the gates of Anatolia were opened to the Turks. The Great Seljuk Empire was dissolved in 1212.
Has Iranian influence: The State of the Khwarazmshahs
The Khwarezmshahs, also known as the Khwarezmshahs, were founded by Kutbeddin Muhammed in 1097 in the Khwarezm region of Central Asia. It is a Turkish state where Iranian influence and traditions are seen. The Harzemshahs State, which was a dominant power in its region, was dissolved in 1231.
Founded by Genghis Khan’s grandson: Golden Horde State
The Golden Horde State, founded in 1236 by Batu Khan, one of the grandsons of the Mongol Emperor Genghis Khan, is the most powerful of the administrations called the Horde. It was known as the Sky Horde at first. The state adopted Islam during the Berke Khan period and struggled with both the Ilkhanids and the Byzantines. The Golden Horde State was dissolved in 1502.
Turkish Renaissance: Timurid Empire
The Timurid Empire, which was founded by Emir Timur in 1368, has both Turkish and Iranian traditions. It has a Turkish – Mongolian state and military structure. It is one of the largest Turkish states established in Turkestan. According to many historians, the Turkish world experienced its own Renaissance in this period. The Timurid Empire was dissolved in 1501.
Turkish domination in India: Mughal Empire
The Mughal Empire, founded in 1526 by Babur Shah, a Chagatai Turk and a member of the Timurid dynasty, has Turkish – Mongolian traditions. He dominated most of India. The Taj Mahal was built during the reign of Shah Jahan. When the Mughal Empire collapsed in 1858, the region passed under the control of the British.
One of the longest-lived Turkish states: Ottoman Empire
The Ottoman Empire, the longest reigning Turkish state after the Great Hun Empire, It was founded in 1299 by Osman Gazi as a small principality. and became a state first and then a great empire. The Ottoman Empire, the most important state of the Turkish and Islamic world, was dissolved in 1922.
And of course the Republic of Turkey:
Launched under the leadership of Mustafa Kemal Pasha after the occupation of the Ottoman Empire After the War of Independence, the invaders were expelled. The Republic of Turkey was established by declaring a republic on 29 October 1923 in Anatolia and Anatolia. The Republic of Turkey is one of the few truly independent Turkish states that maintain thousands of years of ancient Turkish history and culture.
Established in history by our nation, which has thousands of years of ancient history. we listed 16 big Turkish states from the first Turkish states and briefly mentioned the prominent features of these states. Although a basic classification is made by experts, there are actually many more principalities, states and empires established by the Turks in history.