Dive into the vast and rich chronology of Turkic and Steppe history with Khan's Den. From the majestic nomadic empires like the Xiongnu and Huns that shaped Eurasian landscapes to the enduring cultural legacies of the Turks and Mongols that span centuries, join our journey through the heartlands of Central Asia and beyond. Explore the triumphs, struggles, and profound influences of Steppe peoples on global history – with a focus on the Turkic peoples – from ancient times to the End of the Middle Ages. And lastly, re-discover long-forgotten myths and legends that shaped the identities and legacies of these nomadic societies. From Mongolia to Ukraine, from Ötüken to Budapest, and from the Orkhon Inscriptions to Attila's speeches, let us dive into the enduring spirit of the Eurasian Steppe Belt.
All episodes are produced by Emre-E. Yavuz, founder and owner of the Khan's Den media channels and author of "The Göktürks: Origins, Religion and Rapid Rise of the First Turkic Empire" and "The Göktürks: Second Edition".
All content for Khan's Den: Turkic and Steppe History is the property of Emre-E. Yavuz and is served directly from their servers
with no modification, redirects, or rehosting. The podcast is not affiliated with or endorsed by Podjoint in any way.
Dive into the vast and rich chronology of Turkic and Steppe history with Khan's Den. From the majestic nomadic empires like the Xiongnu and Huns that shaped Eurasian landscapes to the enduring cultural legacies of the Turks and Mongols that span centuries, join our journey through the heartlands of Central Asia and beyond. Explore the triumphs, struggles, and profound influences of Steppe peoples on global history – with a focus on the Turkic peoples – from ancient times to the End of the Middle Ages. And lastly, re-discover long-forgotten myths and legends that shaped the identities and legacies of these nomadic societies. From Mongolia to Ukraine, from Ötüken to Budapest, and from the Orkhon Inscriptions to Attila's speeches, let us dive into the enduring spirit of the Eurasian Steppe Belt.
All episodes are produced by Emre-E. Yavuz, founder and owner of the Khan's Den media channels and author of "The Göktürks: Origins, Religion and Rapid Rise of the First Turkic Empire" and "The Göktürks: Second Edition".
The Uyghur Empire: Powerful Turkic Nomads Turned Sedentary Manicheans
Khan's Den: Turkic and Steppe History
47 minutes
3 months ago
The Uyghur Empire: Powerful Turkic Nomads Turned Sedentary Manicheans
This episode shines a light on the formidable Uyghur Khaganate. Emerging from the Tiele confederation in the mid-6th century, the Uyghurs rose to power by first aligning with the Tang dynasty against the Western Turkic Khaganate in 657. Later, they led a rebellion against the Second Turkic Khaganate, eventually killing its last Khagan in 744 AD.
Far from being fleeting nomads, the Uyghurs established a powerful Turkic empire (744-840 AD) that defied stereotypes with its sophisticated organization and enduring governance. They built permanent urban centers like Ordu-Baliq in Mongolia's Orkhon Valley, their capital, demonstrating a settled imperial model. Their territory covered the ancient Xiongnu lands, stretching from Shiwei in the east to the Altai Mountains in the west, and south to the Gobi Desert.
The Uyghur Khaganate embraced Manichaeism as its official state religion after Bögü Qaghan's conversion in 762, while notably maintaining religious tolerance for Buddhism, Christianity, and Tengrism. They developed extensive trade relations, particularly with China and Sogdian merchants, and produced significant literature using their Old Uyghur alphabet.
Discover how this powerful Turkic state, known for its distinct Sogdian and even Chinese influences in government, eventually faced its downfall in 840 AD when the Yenisei Kyrgyz, invited by an internal rival, sacked Ordu-Baliq and beheaded their Khagan. Despite their collapse, the Uyghurs migrated south, establishing successor kingdoms and leaving a profound cultural and political legacy across Central Asia.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Khan's Den: Turkic and Steppe History
Dive into the vast and rich chronology of Turkic and Steppe history with Khan's Den. From the majestic nomadic empires like the Xiongnu and Huns that shaped Eurasian landscapes to the enduring cultural legacies of the Turks and Mongols that span centuries, join our journey through the heartlands of Central Asia and beyond. Explore the triumphs, struggles, and profound influences of Steppe peoples on global history – with a focus on the Turkic peoples – from ancient times to the End of the Middle Ages. And lastly, re-discover long-forgotten myths and legends that shaped the identities and legacies of these nomadic societies. From Mongolia to Ukraine, from Ötüken to Budapest, and from the Orkhon Inscriptions to Attila's speeches, let us dive into the enduring spirit of the Eurasian Steppe Belt.
All episodes are produced by Emre-E. Yavuz, founder and owner of the Khan's Den media channels and author of "The Göktürks: Origins, Religion and Rapid Rise of the First Turkic Empire" and "The Göktürks: Second Edition".
