The European orientalists have
attributed the term of Karahanlilar to the first Muslim Turkish dynasty that established
dominion in the eastern and western Turkestan due to the frequent usage of the word -kara
(black)-"powerful" in their titles. Another title attributed to this dynasty in
the scientific resources was the term of ilek (ilig)-khans due to a characteristic title
that they used. Furthermore, this dynasty was called with the names of "al-Hakaniye,
el-Haniye and al-Afrasiyab" within the contemporary Islam resources. There are seven
different suppositions about their origins. O. Pritsak that was the principal authority on
the history of Karahanlilar State relates this dynasty to the Karluk dynasty that was a
branch of A-shi-na dynasty.
Pursuant to the
abolition of the Uighur State by Khirghiz people in 840, Karluk Prince declared himself as
the legal successor of the ruler of steppes and founded the Karahanlilar State. This state
was divided into two sections under the administration of two khans in accordance with the
Altay system that divided the country and nation into two sections. The ruler of the
eastern section that born the title of Arslan Kara Khan was the great khan and the ruler
of all Karahanli people and he was settled in Kara-Ordu. The ruler of the western section
that born the title of Bugra Kara Khan was firstly settled in Taraz as the central khan.
Apart from these two khans, there were four sub-khans and six deputies of the ruler within
the state administration staff. The rulers within this class of government were the
members of the same dynasty and they ascended relatively step by step.
According to another
opinion about this issue, it has been alleged that the Karahanlilar State was administered
on the basis of "dual organisation" that was suitable for the Turkish state
system. Accordingly, the state was divided into two sections as the east and the west. The
great khan that was the ruler of the eastern section was also the ruler of all
Karahanlilar people. The western section was administered by another member of the same
dynasty providing that this member had to recognise the superior dominion of the great
khan. The miscellaneous provinces called with the term of "il" in both sections
of the state were administered by the crown princes pertaining to the same dynasty or the
military governors. The state was divided into two Karahanli States as the east and the
west states in the years of 1041-1042. Pursuant to this division, the tradition of the
dual organisation continued for a while in both states.
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