Information of “Nukhbat al-dahr fi ‘aja’ib al-barr wa-al-bahr” by ad-Dimashqi about the Turkic Tribes of Dasht-i Kipchak »

• Main Authors: Z.S. Ilyasova, Zh.M. Sabitov
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: State Institution «Sh.Marjani Institute of History of Tatarstan Academy of Sciences» 2016-12-01
• Series: Zolotoordynskoe Obozrenie
• Subjects: al-Tini; al-Dimashqi; Kipchaks; Turks; Kipchak tribes.
• Online Access: http://goldhorde.ru/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/%D0%97%D0%9E-3-2016-474-484.pdf
• ISSN: 2308-152X; 2313-6197

This article introduced into academic circulation information of such a historical source as “Nukhbat al-dahr fi ‘aja’ib al-barr wa-al-bahr” (Excerpts of Time on the Marvels of the Land and Sea) on Kipchak clans and Turkic tribes of Dasht-i Kipchak. The material of the study is drawn from this source. Main scientific result of this work was the source’s translation into Russian accompanied by scientific comments. Sheikh Shams al-Din Abu Abdallah Muhammad Abu Talib al-Ansari al-Sufi al-Dimashqi was the author of this work. Some scholars have mistakenly confuse him with another chronicler named Shihab al-Din Ahmad ibn Yahya Ibn Fadlallah al-Omari al-Dimashqi. There is a widespread misconception that while writing on Kipchak clans and Turkic tribes al-Dimashqi used the data of such an author as Muhammad ibn Ibrahim ibn Yahya al-Ansari al-Qutub al-Warraq al-Vatvat, also known as Ahmad al-Tini. After had studying the manuscripts of al-Tini and al-Dimashqi, we did not notice the connection between these two authors regarding their information about Kipchak clans and Turkic tribes of Dasht-i Kipchak. After had studying the information about Kipchak clans and Turkic tribes of Dasht-i Kipchak, we put forward the theory that 16 ethnonyms previously identified as Kipchak clans, are actually the etnonyms of eight Kipchak clans and eight Turkic tribes. The article also contains the extraction from “Nukhbat al-dahr fi ‘aja’ib al-barr wa-al-bahr” regarding the geography of Dasht-i Kipchak and the countries inhabited by the Turks. The following data are unique in this source: 1. The text describes such rivers as Ceyhun (Amu Darya), Seyhun (Syr Darya), Itil (Volga), as well as Khorezm and Khazar Seas (Aral and Caspian Seas). 2. Additionally, this text lists the following Turkic peoples: al-Kharlukhiya (Karluks), al-Khirgaziya (Kyrgyz), al-Kaymakiya (Kimaks), al-Guzziya (Oguz), al-Bazhanakiya (Pechenegs), al-Tuguzguziya (Uighurs), al-Khulkhiya (?), al-Kaladzhiya (Khaladzhi), al-Guri (Gurians), al-Kamaniya (Cumans), al-Turkishiya (Turgishes), al-Azkashiya (Azkishes), al-Khazar (Khazars), al-Bulgars (Bulgars), al-Burtas (Burtases). 3. From among these people the Khazars, Bulgars and Kipchaks are partly described. The article also provides a list of those authors who used the al-Dimashqi’s information in their researches.