Ogur history goes far back. It is probable that they
are related to U-suns (Wu-suns) living in the slopes of Tanri mountain toward late 3rd
century B.C. However, such relation seems to pertain mostly to the region U-suns lived
(maybe their ex-country). This is because there are evidences that Ogurs lived in far
north in Kobdo, Tarbagatay region in the same period. Chinese sources talk about a nation
called "Ho-chieh" or "Wu-chieh" there. F. Birth said the Chinese
formation of the name may have derived from a word which was originally pronounced like
"Ugır" (not Uygur). This name is nothing but "Ogur" for Gy. Nemeth
who confirmed him. One of the most important branches of Ogurs in Middle Asia in early 3rd
Century B.C. was Tinglings who were told to live in Middle and Southern Irtis and took
marten, white and blue fox ("Kun-tsun" = Kırsa ~ Karsak-steppe fox) and in
particular red squirrel skins to China. The names of these famous red squirrel merchants
are also in Turkish: Tingli=Teyin'li=Sincap'lı. Indeed, all Ogurs were known for fur
trade. Red squirrel skin was the leading one among precious furs. Besides this intense hunting and fur
trade skills of Ogur Turks which distinguished them from their animal breeding brothers,
another of their skills was that they were good farmers in accordance with the conditions
of the geographical region they lived in thewest. They conducted all kinds of agriculture
and fruit growing with the highest level of their times. The Ogur words included in
Hungarian language in that period proves that.
It is certain
especially from their roles in Attila period that Ogurs, who were understood to be the
neighbors of people remaining from Huns who withdrew to the same region after collapse of
Çi-çi Tanhu state in Middle Asia (36 B.C.) were linked to European Huns who turned to be
a world empire in the west quickly afterwards. Upon the collapse of Hun empire and losing
of the central authority (between 460-470), we see that they gathered around Irnek, who
was known to come from the west, together with the Hun mass, and established a Bulgarian
State. Ogurs subsisted their unity in times of Irmek's successor Mundo (Muncuk?) and 4
subsequent rulers until 550's. They are found out to spread as follows in this period:
On-ogurs in the north Caucasus (to the east of Azak), Otuz-ogurs in Don-Volga turn region,
Dokuz-ogurs in steppes toward Dnieper. The ones to the east entered Sabar and Gok-Turk
dominance respectively when they reached azak Sea (in 576). For Menandros, a woman leader
called Ak-kagan appointed by Otuz-ogur Ruler Anagaios (Turkish a-lı: ana-aga?) was one of
those who entered Gok-Turk rule.
Dokuz-ogur
(Kara-Bulgars?) in the west continued their relations with Byzantium from whom they
collected annual taxes sometimes as friends and sometimes as enemies. Their constant
pressure on Byzantium claiming the Slav masses forced Emperor Anastasios (491-518) to
construct the "long rampart" to protect capital city Istanbul.
They took part in
Italian wars under Byzantium general Belizarios command in 530 and helped Gepids fighting
Longobards with 10 thousand horsemen. However, Byzantium-just like China-applied the same
trick to Ogurs. She incited disagreements between Dokuz-ogur and otuz-ogur brothers and
made them attack on each other. She made some of the defeated Dokuz-ogurs inhabit in
Thrace (2 thousand families). There was no use in Otuz-ogurs' appearing near Istanbul with
a sudden march to Balkans (550) now. Weakening of Ogur dominance in north Black Sea
facilitated Avars' rapid advance toward the west taking some masses of Ogur-Bulgar Turks
together with them (in years after 558). Bulgars, who fought in Dalmatia under Bayan
Khan's command formed supplementary forces for Avars in 626 Istanbul siege. They spread to
Balkans, North Italy and Hungary. About 9 thousand Bulgarian families disliking Avars were
first moved to Baviera and then Italy (2nd half of 7th century.)
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