Kutadgu Bilig

Mt Zunun

Kutadgu Bilig, also known as "The Wisdom of Royal Glory," is a significant work of literature written in the Uyghur-Karluk (Khaqaniye) language of the Karakhanid Empire.

The Author:

The author of Kutadgu Bilig was named Yūsuf, and he was born in Balasagun, the winter capital of the Karakhanid empire at the time. Balasagun is located near present-day Toqmoq in Kyrgyzstan. Yūsuf was around 50 years old when he completed the Kutadgu Bilig. Upon presenting the completed work to the prince of Kashgar, he was awarded the title Khāṣṣ Ḥājib, which translates to something like "Privy Chamberlain" or "Privy Councilor." He is often referred to as Yūsuf Khāṣṣ Ḥājib.

History:

Kutadgu Bilig was completed in 462 (1069/1070 AD) and presented to Tavghach Bughra Khan, the prince of Kashgar. It was well-known during the Timurid era. However, only three manuscripts survived, found in different cities: Herat (Vienna), Cairo, and Namangan. These manuscripts provide our modern knowledge of the text.

Language:

The text is written in the Uyghur-Karluk language of the Karakhanids, often referred to as Middle Turkic or Karakhanid. It contains a significant influence of Persian vocabulary and some Arabic terms, although it doesn't specifically reference Islamic texts or use Persian or Arabic words for Islamic concepts.

Style:

The author used the Perso-Arabic mutaqārib meter, consisting of couplets of two rhyming 11-syllable lines. This meter is the earliest known application of this style to a Turkic language.

Content:

Kutadgu Bilig is structured around the relationships between four main characters, each representing an abstract principle. These principles are Justice, Fortune, Intellect (or Wisdom), and Man's Last End. The work is divided into various sections and chapters, covering governance, ethics, and wisdom.

The text is known for its moral and ethical teachings and presents advice on various aspects of life, including governance, social interactions, and personal conduct.

Kutadgu Bilig is a valuable literary and historical work that provides insights into the culture, language, and intellectual traditions of the Karakhanid Empire and Central Asia during the medieval period.