Diplomatic contacts of Karlukovs of Semirechev and Kyrgyzs of Yenisev: the beginning of the ix century

Abstract

The material considers the historical fact of diplomatic interaction between the Karluks and the Yenisei Kyrgyz in the 20s of the 9th century. This is the time of expansion of the II Tibetan Empire and the friendship of the Tibetans with the Karluks and the Kyrgyz of the Yenisey. In connection with such circumstances, trade and diplomatic routes were freed from Tibet to the north of Central Asia. A more dynamic vector of trade relations coincides with the so-called “western Kyrgyz road'”. This way ran from Semirechye through the upper reaches of the Irtysh into the Ob basin, to the Altai and further to the Kuznetsk basin. Trade and diplomatic missions were controlled by the Karluk detachments. One of the iconographic monuments of the Yeniseisk petrography (Northern Khakassia) confirms the case of the marriage embassy on the Yenisei to the court of the Kyrgyz kagan. As part of the diplomatic procession, two brides, a servant, three artists of the People's Theater, two guards. The embassy is escorted by two Manichaean clergymen. This visit speaks not only of diplomatic contacts. The religious links of one of the Sogdian Manichaean sects with the Yenisei Kyrgyz become authentic.