"Khagas is an ancient state of Gyan-Gun. It lies west of Hami (modern-day Kumul), north of Harashar (modern-day Yanqi), near the White Mountains (likely the Tianshan range). Some call this state Guyvu and Gyegu.
Its inhabitants intermingled with the Dinlins (an ancient Siberian or Central Asian people). In 1124, the domain of Khagas once marked the western boundaries of the Xiongnu (a nomadic confederation often associated with the Huns).
The Xiongnu elevated the Chinese general Li Ling, who had surrendered to them, to the rank of Western Zhuki Prince, while another Chinese general, Wei Lü, was made ruler over the Dinlins. Later, Zhizhi Shanyu, after conquering Gyan-Gun, established his residence there, 7,000 li (approximately 3,500 kilometers) west of the Eastern Shanyu’s horde and 5,000 li (about 2,500 kilometers) north of Cheshe (likely near modern Turpan). This is why the rulers of this land were later erroneously called Khagas, Gyegu, and Gyegyesy.
The population reached several hundred thousand, with an army of 80,000 troops. The distance southeast to the Uighur horde was 3,000 li (around 1,500 kilometers). By 1127, their lands extended south to the Tanman Mountains (a historical mountain range in Central Asia). The terrain was swampy in summer, with heavy snow in winter.
The inhabitants were generally tall, with red hair, ruddy faces, and blue eyes. Black hair was considered a bad sign, and those with brown eyes were believed to be descendants of Li Ling. There were fewer men than women.
Men wore earrings. They are proud and resilient. The bravest among them tattoo their hands, while women, upon marriage, tattoo their necks.
Both sexes live together without separation, which leads to much promiscuity. The first month of the year is called Maoshi-ai (ai means month). Three months make up one quarter of the year. Years are counted using twelve signs; for example, the year under the sign Yin is called the Year of the Tiger.
The climate is extremely cold; even large rivers freeze halfway through. They grow millet, barley, wheat, and Himalayan barley. Flour is ground using hand mills. Crops are sown in the third moon and harvested in the ninth moon. Wine is made by fermenting grain porridge. There are no fruit trees or vegetable gardens. Horses are sturdy and large, and the best ones are considered those that fight fiercely.
They also keep camels and cows, but cattle and sheep are more common. Wealthy farmers own herds of several thousand animals. Among the wild animals are tarpans, roe deer, moose, and black-tailed goats. Black-tailed goats resemble musk deer but have a large black tail.
Among fish, there is one species about seven feet long, smooth and boneless, with its mouth located below its nose. Among birds, there are wild geese and ducks, magpies, and hawks. Among trees, there are pines, birches, elms, willows, and firs. The fir trees are so tall that an arrow shot from a bow cannot reach their tops. However, birches are the most abundant.
There are deposits of gold, iron, and tin. (The following part is omitted in the original translation but is present in the Chinese text: “With every rainfall, iron is usually obtained and is called jia-sha. Extremely sharp weapons are made from it and are regularly exported to the Tujue [Turks].”)
In war, they use bows, arrows, and banners. Cavalry soldiers protect their arms and legs with small wooden shields and wear round shields on their shoulders, which can defend against the points of arrows and sabers.
The ruler is called Azho; hence, he is also addressed as Azho (or Aré). He has a standard raised. Others are addressed by their clan names. Sable and lynx furs are used for luxurious clothing. In winter, Azho wears a sable hat, and in summer, he wears a conical hat with a golden rim and a curved base.
Others wear white felt hats. In general, people like to carry a whetstone, also known as a sharpening rod, on their belts. The lower classes wear sheepskin garments and go without hats. Women wear clothing made from woolen and silk fabrics, which they obtain from Anxi (Parthia or modern-day Western China), Beiting (modern-day Turpan area), and Daxia (Bactria).
Azho resides in the Black Mountains. His encampment is surrounded by stakes. His dwelling is a tent covered with felt, called Midizhi. The leaders live in smaller tents.
The army is recruited from all clans. Tribute is paid in sable and squirrel pelts. Officials are divided into six ranks: ministers, high commanders, administrators, secretaries, leaders, and dagans.
There are seven ministers, three high commanders, and ten administrators, all of whom oversee the military. There are fifteen secretaries. Leaders and dagans do not hold formal ranks.
They live on meat and mare’s milk. Only Azho consumes bread wine.
They have a flute, a tambourine, and two unknown musical instruments.
For spectacles, they have trained camels and lions, equestrian acrobatics, and tightrope walking.
Sacrifices to spirits are performed in the open fields. There is no fixed time for sacrifices. Shamans are called gan (or kam).
At marriages, the bride price is paid in horses and sheep. The wealthy pay as much as a hundred or even a thousand head of livestock.
During funerals, they do not scratch their faces. They wrap the body of the deceased in three layers and mourn. Afterward, the body is burned, and the collected bones are buried a year later. Mourning is observed at specified times after this.
In winter, they live in houses covered with tree bark. Their script and language are identical to those of the Uighurs (Huihu).
Their laws are very strict. A person who causes disorder before battle, fails a diplomatic mission, gives unwise advice to the ruler, or commits theft is sentenced to beheading. If a thief has a father, the thief’s head is hung around his father’s neck, and the father must carry it until his death.
From Azho’s residence to the Uighur horde, it is a 40-day journey by camel.
Envoys traveled from Tian-de 200 li to the small town of Xi Sheu-xiang Cheng; from there, 300 li north to Gagary Spring; and from the spring, 1,500 li northwest to the Uighur horde. There are two roads: an eastern and a western one. The road from the spring to the north is called the eastern road.
Six hundred li north of the Uighur horde flows the Selenga River. To the northeast of the Selenga are the Snowy Mountains. This land is rich in water and pastures.
To the east of the Black Mountains lies the Gyan-he River. People cross it on rafts. All rivers flow eastward. Passing Khagas, they merge and flow northward.
Further eastward lies a sea. (The original translation inaccurately described this; it should read: “All rivers flow northeast, passing Khagas, merge in the north, and enter the sea (Lake Khovsgol).”) The travelers reached Muma (a tribe of ski-using Turks), where three Turkic clans—Dubo, Milige, and Echzhi—nomadize.
Their princes are called Gyegin. They live in houses covered with birch bark and have many excellent horses.
It is customary for them to ride on the ice using wooden horses. Skis are tied to their feet, and they lean on poles under their arms. With each push, they glide forward about a hundred steps very quickly. At night, they engage in theft and robbery, and during the day, they hide. The Khagases capture them and use them for labor.
Khagas was a strong state; in terms of territory, it equaled the Turkic (Tujue) domains.
The Turkic royal house gave their daughters in marriage to the elders of Khagas.
To the east, it extended to Guligan; to the south, to Tibet; and to the southwest, to Gelolu. Previously, the Khagas state was dependent on the Siyanto royal house, which had its Gyelifu (governor) overseeing the region.
The ruler of Khygas had three ministers: Gyasi Bey, Gyui-shabo Bey, and Ami Bey. They managed all state affairs.
The Khygas had no contact with the Middle Kingdom. In the twenty-second year of the Zhenguan reign (648), upon learning that the Tiele tribes had submitted to the Tang Dynasty, the Khygas sent an envoy with local goods.
The elder Sili-fa Shibokuy Achzhan personally traveled to the Court. Emperor Taizong, hosting him at a banquet, said to his officials: “In the past, on the Wei Bridge, the heads of three Tujue men who boasted of their many merits were cut off. Now, it seems that Sili-fa at this table has lost his composure.” An intoxicated Sili-fa expressed a desire to wield the Hu-ban (a ceremonial banner or implement).
The emperor renamed his domain the Gyan-gun region. Sili-fa was granted a military rank and appointed chief commander of his region, which was subordinated to the Yanran governor.
During the reign of Emperor Gaozong (650–683), the Khygas sent envoys to the Court twice. In the Jinglong era (706–711), they presented local products. Emperor Zhongzong summoned the envoy and said: “Your ruling house and mine share a common ancestry [the Tang dynasty traced its origins to a steppe Turkic clan], and I distinguish it from the other vassals.” During the reign of Emperor Xuanzong (713–755), there were four missions delivering local goods.
In the Qianyuan era, in 758, the Huihu (Uyghurs) conquered this state, and thereafter, Khygas envoys could no longer reach the Middle Kingdom.
Later, the northern nomads mistakenly referred to the Khygas as Hakyansy, which in the Huihu language means “red-faced,” and this name was further mispronounced as Gyagyas. This state always maintained friendly relations with the Dashi (Arabs), Tufan (Tibetans), and Gelolu. However, the Tibetans, when communicating with the Khygas, feared raids by the Huihu and thus took guides from Gelolu.
From Dashi, no more than twenty camels brought patterned silk fabrics, but when the goods could not fit, the load was distributed among twenty-four camels. Such a caravan was dispatched once every three years. The ruler of the Khygas received the title of Pitsie Tungye Gin from the Huihu khan. However, when the Huihu began to decline, Azho declared himself khan, named his mother, born Tuci-shi, the dowager khatun, and his wife, the daughter of Gelu-shehu, the khatun.
The Huihu khan sent a minister with troops, but they failed. The khan waged war for twenty years. Azho, emboldened by victories, declared: “Your fate is sealed. I will soon seize your golden camp, place my horse before it, and raise my banner. If you can compete with me, come immediately; if not, leave quickly.”
The Huihu khan could no longer continue the war. Eventually, his own general, Gyulu Mohe, brought Azho into the Huihu camp. The khan was killed in battle, and his followers, the Dele, scattered. Azho, personally leading his forces, set fire to the khan’s camp and the residence of the princess. The Huihu khan typically resided in a golden tent. Azho seized all his treasures and captured Princess Taihe. Afterward, he moved his seat of power to the southern side of the Lao-shan mountains.
The Lao-shan mountains, also called Du-man, are located 15 days’ ride on horseback from the former Huihu camp. Since the princess was of Tang imperial lineage, Azho sent an envoy to escort her to the Chinese Court. However, the Huihu Ugye Khan intercepted her en route and killed the envoy.
When the Khygas envoy was killed, Azho, unable to establish contact with the Chinese Court, sent another envoy, Zhuwu He-so, with a report about the incident involving the princess. “Zhuwu” was his title; “He” means brave, and “So” means left-handed, referring to his skill as a left-handed archer. The envoy arrived in the Chinese capital in the third year.
Emperor Wuzong, who ascended the throne in 841, was greatly pleased by the arrival of an envoy bringing tribute from such a distant land. He ranked the envoy above the representative from the Kingdom of Bohai (in Manchuria, 712–926).
Wuzong ordered the official Zhao Fang to travel to the Khygas state with a staff of honor to convey the Court’s favor. He also instructed the ministers and members of the Honglu-si (Bureau of Protocol) to meet the envoy and, through interpreters, compile a description of the mountains, rivers, and customs of the Khygas state.
Minister De Yu proposed to the emperor that, since envoys from various distant states had come during the Zhenguan reign, the Court should follow the example of Zhou dynasty historians and create annals of foreign rulers who presented tribute.
As the Khygas had opened communication with the Middle Kingdom, it was suggested that a portrait of their ruler be painted for posterity. The Honglu-si was instructed to find a painter. It was further decreed that Azho, being of the same lineage as the ruling Tang dynasty, should be included in the imperial genealogy.
At that time, Ugye Khan, with the remnants of his people, sought refuge at the Black Cart. Azho, taking advantage of the autumn abundance of horses, planned to capture the khan and requested military assistance from the Chinese Court. The emperor sent the official Liu Meng to inspect the border.
Four corps in the northwestern corner of China had been weakened by prolonged struggles with Tibet, and eighteen prefectures had been depleted by the passage of nomadic troops. [From the words “the emperor sent” onward, this is a literal translation of the Chinese text: the emperor ordered troops to be provided.]
During this period, Li Hao was appointed as border inspector. The Court, noting that the four Helong garrisons and eighteen prefectures were inundated with eastern and northern foreigners, believed that the decline of the Huihu and internal strife in Tibet presented a fortunate opportunity. Therefore, Wuzong decided to exploit their weakened state and sent an envoy to the Khygas with a decree granting their ruler the title Zongying Xiongnu Chengming Khan.
Emperor Wuzong passed away in 846. Upon ascending the throne, Emperor Xuanzong sought to fulfill his predecessor’s plans. However, some officials advised him that the Khygas were a small tribe incapable of matching the Tang dynasty’s stature. The matter was referred to ministers and officials of the fourth rank and above for review.
The consensus was that titles and decrees had been granted to the Huihu during their period of power. Now that the Huihu had fallen, there was no need to strengthen the Khygas and risk future troubles. Thus, the matter was abandoned.
In the first year of the Dazhong reign (847), the ruler of the Khygas passed away. The Chinese Court sent an envoy with a decree granting the new khan the title Yingwu Chengming Khan.
During the Xiantong reign (860–873), the Khygas sent envoys to the Court three times. However, they were unable to fully subjugate the Huihu. Whether there were further missions or decrees issued is not recorded in history." - The New History of Tang Dynasty " Xin Tang Shu". The dynastic history Xin Tang Shu was compiled in the first half of the 11th century under the editorship of Song Qi and Ouyang Xiu. The chronicle was completed in 1060. Translated. Y. Bichurin
🧬 DNA Science Data:
“Haplogroup R1a1, more specifically, its subclade R1a1a1b2 (defined by mutation Z93), is the genetic marker of the Indo-European pastoralists, who migrated from modern-day Ukraine to modern-day Iran, India, the Kazakh steppes, the Tarim Basin, the Altai Mountains region, the Yenisei River region, and western Mongolia during the Bronze Age.
Naturally, R1a1, more specifically, its subclade R1a1a1b2 (R1a-Z93), occurs at high frequency among the Turkic peoples now residing in the Yenisei River and the Altai Mountains regions in Russia.
Compared to the Tuvinians, the Khakass (whose name was created by the Soviets from Xiajiasi (黠戛斯), a Chinese name for Kyrgyz, since they were regarded as descending from the Kyrgyz have noticeably higher percentages of R1a1 (35.2%) and much lower percentages of haplogroups C (1.1%) and Q (4%). However, N is also the most prevalent haplogroup (50%) of the Khakass (Gubina et al. 2013: 339; Shi et al. 2013)
As for the Altaians, the Altai-Kizhi (southern Altaians) are characterised by a high percentage of R1a1 (50%) and low to moderate percentages of C2 (20%), Q (16.7%) and N (4.2%) (Dulik et al. 2012: 234).
The major differences between the Khakass and the southern Altaians are the lower frequency of haplogroup N (in another study, haplogroup N is found at high frequency (32%) among the Altaians in general: see Gubina et al. 2013: 329, 339) and the higher frequencies of haplogroups C2 and Q among the latter.
The descent of the Kyrgyz (Kyrgyz) of the Tien Shan Mountains region (Kyrgyzstan) from the Yenisei Kyrgyz is debated among historians.
However, among the modern Turkic peoples, the former have the highest percentage of R1a1 (over 60%). Since the West Eurasian physiognomy of the Yenisei Kyrgyz recorded in the Xin Tangshu was in all likelihood a reflection of their Eurasian Indo-European marker R1a1a1b2 (R1a-Z93), one may conjecture that the Tien Shan Kyrgyz received their R1a1 marker from the Yenisei Kyrgyz. That is, the former are descended from the latter.
The other Y-chromosome haplogroups found among the Kyrgyz (Kyrgyz) are C2 (12~20%), O (0~15%) and N (0~4.5%).50 The lack of haplogroup Q among the Qirghiz (Kyrgyz) mostly distinguishes them from the Altaians.
During the Bronze Age and early Iron Age, the Yenisei River region was inhabited by Indo-Europeans. The dna study of 26 ancient human specimens from the Krasnoyarsk area dated from the middle of the second millennium bc to the fourth century ad shows that the Yenisei pastoralists mostly belonged to haplogroup R1a1 (Keyser et al. 2009: 401)
The high frequency of R1a1 among the modern-day Kyrgyz and Altaians may thus prove that they are descended from the Yenisei Kyrgyz. In addition, this may explain the reason why medieval Chinese histories depict the Kyrgyz as possessing West Eurasian physiognomy.
The Y-chromosomes of the Kök Türks have not been studied. After the collapse of the Second Türk Khaganate in 745 ce, the Kök Türks became dispersed and it is difficult to identify their modern descendants.
If they were indeed descended from the Eastern Scythians aka Saka (Suo) or related to the Kyrgyz, as the Zhoushu states (Zhoushu 50.908), the Ashina (royal Türkic dynasty, possibly related to the Turko-Jewish Khazar Khaganate, according to Peter B. Golden of Rutgers University) may have belonged to the R1a1 lineage.” - Joo-Yup Lee and Shuntu Kuang, University of Toronto, Canada
Source: “A Comparative Analysis of Chinese Historical Sources and Y-DNA Studies with Regard to the Early and Medieval Turkic Peoples’
Authors: Joo-Yup Lee and Shuntu Kuang from, the University of Toronto of Canada
“Kyrgyz are an admixed population between the East and the West. Different patterns have been observed in the patrilineal gene pool of the Kyrgyz. Historically, ancient Kyrgyz were considered to be the Yenisei Kyrgyz that may perhaps be concerned with the Tashtyk culture.
Extremely low Y-diversity and the presence of a high-frequency 68.9% Y-chromosome haplogroup R1a1-M17 (a diagnostic Indo-Iranian marker are striking features of Kyrgyz populations in central Asia. It is believed that this lineage is associated with Indo-Europeans who migrated to the Altai region during the Bronze Age and mixed with various Turkic groups.
Among the Asian R1a1a1b2-Z93 lineages, R1a1a1b2a2-Z2125 is quite common in Kyrgyzstan (68%) and Afghan Pashtuns (40%), and less frequent in other Afghan ethnic groups and some Caucasus and Iran populations (10%). Notably, the basal lineage R1a1a1b2-Z93* is commonly distributed in the South Siberian Altai region of Russia.
According to the published ancient DNA data, we found that, in Middle Bronze Age, Haplogroup R1a1a1b2a2a- Z2125 was mainly found in Sintashta culture population from Kamennyi Ambar 5 cemetery, western Siberia, in Fedorovo type of the Andronovo culture or Karasuk culture population from Minusinsk Basin, southern Siberia, and in Andronovo culture populations from Maitan, Ak-Moustafa, Aktogai, Kazakh Mys, Satan, Oy-Dzhaylau III, Karagash 2, Dali, and Zevakinskiy stone fence, Kazakhstan.” (Wen, Shao-qing; Du, Pan-xin; Sun, Chang; Cui, Wei; Xu, Yi-ran; Meng, Hai-liang; Shi, Mei-sen; Zhu, Bo-feng; Li, Hui (March 2022)
Source: "Dual origins of the Northwest Chinese Kyrgyz: the admixture of Bronze age Siberian and Medieval Niru'un Mongolian Y chromosomes", Nature
Authors: Wen, Shao-qing; Du, Pan-xin; Sun, Chang; Cui, Wei; Xu, Yi-ran; Meng, Hai-liang; Shi, Mei-sen; Zhu, Bo-feng; Li, Hui (March 2022)
“The modern-day descendants of the Yenisei Kyrgyz, the Kyrgyz people, have one of the highest frequencies of haplogroup R1a-Z93. This lineage believed to be associated with Indo-Iranians who migrated to the Altai region in the Bronze Age, and is carried by various Türkic groups. The Zhoushu [the book of the Zhou Dynasty] (Linghu Defen 2003, Chapter 50, p. 908) informs us that the Ashina, the royal clan of the Kök Türks, were related to the Kyrgyz.
If so, the Ashina may have belonged to the R1a1 lineage like the modern-day Tienshan Kyrgyz, who are characterised by the high frequency of R1a1 (over 65%). Haplogroup R1a1, more specifically, its sub- clade R1a1a1b2 defined by mutation Z93, was carried by the Indo-European pastoralists, who reached the Kazakh steppes, the Tarim Basin, the Altai Mountains region, the Yenisei River region, and western Mongolia from the Black Sea steppes during the Bronze Age (Semino et al. 2000, p. 1156, Lee, Joo-Yup (2018)
Source: Lee, Joo-Yup (2018). "Some remarks on the Turkicisation of the Mongols in post-Mongol Central Asia and the Kipchak Steppe ''. Acta Orientalia Academiae Scientiarum Hungaricae. 71 (2): 121–124. doi:10.1556/062.2018.71.2.1. ISSN 0001-6446. S2CID 133847698.
Kazakh DNA researcher Zhaxylyk Sabitov states: “Until the 9th century, the Kyrgyz lived along the Yenisei River in the Minusinsk Basin. In the 9th century, the Yenisei Kyrgyz migrated to the Altai and Irtysh regions.
“From 1326 to 1329, some Altai Kyrgyz moved to Semirechye and the territory of modern Kyrgyzstan.” He also published DNA sample data from the Sintashta culture, which he claims “is related to the Altai and modern Kyrgyz, while the Arban-1 samples from the Karasuk culture are ancestral to modern Kyrgyz. Genetic data from Arzhan complex (8th century BCE) also show parental genes of the Kyrgyz.”
It is known that the structure of Arzhan has similarities with the Sintashta-Andronovo kurgans (M.P. Gryaznov). It is known that Saka tribes lived in the territory of Kyrgyzstan, and later the Wusun tribe arrived from the east. The high percentage of R1a1 among the Kyrgyz appeared through three routes: from the Saka tribes, from the Wusun Sakas, and from the Dingling tribes. There is also a theory about the migration of part of the Yenisei Kyrgyz to the territory of modern Kyrgyzstan.” (Zhaxylyk Sabitov)
Source: “Historical-Genetic Approach in the Study of the Ethnogenesis and Material Culture of the Ancient Kyrgyz” - International Journal of Experimental Education
“The land of Modern Kyrgyzstan, populated at the turn of the eras by the Saka and Wusun tribes, was overrun by the Yenisei Kyrgyzes (Khakasses) in the 8th c. AD.
Since Kyrgyzstan is a natural mountain fortress of the Tian Shan mountains, it is an island similar to the Lithuanian Tatars, with high genetic inertia and limited influences. Essentially, all four are Scythians, the Saka Scythians, Wusun Scythians, Yenisei Kyrgyz Scythians, and the Lithuanian Tatar Scythians.”
Source: “The Lithuanian Tatars: DNA Ancestry Traced To The Eurasian Steppes”, Academy of DNA-Genealogy, Tsukuba, Japan, Igor Rozhanski
"Samples from the burials of the Andronovo, Tagar, and Tashtyk cultures were identified using Y-STR analysis, which allows for the comparison of these samples with each other and with samples from representatives of different populations, both ancient and modern.
The Andronovo haplotypes S10 and S16 have the following structure:
ANDRON S10, S16:
13-25-16-11-11-14-10-14-11-18-15-14-11-16-20-12-23
The greatest number of matches is observed with the Tian Shan Kyrgyz and the Southern Altaians. Complete matches of haplotypes in populations that are geographically close and share a common history are possible only in cases of genetic relationship; random matches are unlikely.
Thus, the Southern Altaians and the Tien Shan Kyrgyz are likely descendants of close relatives of the Yenisei Andronovites, most likely the descendants of the Altai Andronovites. It is well established by linguists and ethnographers that there is close linguistic and ethnic kinship between the Kyrgyz and the Southern Altaians (Baskakov, 1966: 15-16).
These peoples share the same names for their clan divisions (Mundus, Telos-Doolos, Kipchak, Naiman, Merkit, etc.). Kyrgyz legends refer to Altai as the ancestral home of their people. Several historians believe that the Kyrgyz and Southern Altaians once formed a single community and that the migration of the Kyrgyz from Altai to Tien Shan occurred relatively recently (Abramzon, 1959: 34; Abdumanapov, 2007: 95, 114).
Source: Volkov V.G., Kharkov V.N., Stepanov V.A. Andronovo and Tagar cultures in light of genetic data."
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