Abulgazi Bahadir Khan and the work of “Shajarai Turk” (“The Genealogy of Turks”)

Abstract

Historian and prominent statesman, Khiva Khan Abulgazi Bahadir Khan (1603-1664) is the author of two great historical works, “Shajara-i Tarākima” and “Shajarai turk” (“The Genealogical book of Turks”), written in Chagatai Turkish, dedicated to the ancestry of the Turks. These works, written on the basis of Oghuznamehs, historical written sources before him, and historical events in which he participated or witnessed, are extremely important and invaluable written historical sources for the history of the Turkic peoples.

His work “Shajarai turk” is also known as “Shajarai turk  va moghul” (“Genealogical book of Turks and Mongols”). Since the beginning of the XIX century, this work has been widely translated into the languages ​​of European nations and into Russian. In recent times, it has been adapted into Turkic by some well-known scientists in Turkey and published with a large circulation. Unfortunately, little information about the work itself was given in these publications. In general, with the exception of academician A.N.Kononov's research in the 70s of the XX century, no such serious research has been found in recent years.

In recent years, as a result of research conducted by scientists and researchers of the Turkic peoples of the post-Soviet space, certain information has been obtained about the presentation of the work to the scientific community and the first publications.

This article provides information on the writing, presentation and publication of the work on the basis of scientific and recent research.