A REVIEW OF WRITTEN SOURCES ABOUT OGUZ CITIES IN KAZAKHSTAN’S SECTION OF THE GREAT SILK ROAD

Abstract

One of the routes of the Great Silk Road crossed the southern lands of present­day Republic of Kazakhstan. In the southern territories of Kazakhstan, that is, in the middle and lower parts of Syr Darya River, there are cities of the Oghuz period. There are over 50 settlements and towns of Oghuzs along the Syr Darya River. The towns in the lower part of Syr Darya are closely linked to the Great Silk Road, which runs along the caravan routes. During this period, the Oghuz lived in the east, neighboring China. They are mentioned in the inscriptions of the Orkhon. The article presents general information is given about medieval towns such as Sauran (Sabran, Kara Töbe), Signak, Barshin­kent (Barçınlığı Kent), Asanas (Aşanas), Zhend (Cend), Zhankent (New Town), which are known as Oghuz towns. The fact that the names of the cities changed not once, but several times, and the opinions of scientists were indicated. The names of historic cities are now widely known among researchers and the population. The article was written in connection with these titles. Moreover, in this study, extensive research was conducted examining the works of notably Russian historians and writers, as well as famous medieval historians.

Key words: Great Silk Road, Kazakhstan, Syr Darya River, medieval cities/towns, oghuzes.