Uighur migrations (from ancient times to the end of the 13th century)

The Uighurs were a Turkic tribe that lived as nomads in Turkistan long before the Common Era. Until they established their own state, they lived under the rule of other tribes within the Töles confederation. The Uighur Khanate, inheriting the legacy of the Kök Türks, existed as a powerful state for nearly a century. During this period, Uighur culture and civilization developed far beyond its time, securing a prominent place in the most significant chapters of Turkish history. After the collapse of the Uighur Khanate, the Uighur tribes migrated collectively to East Turkestan and Northern China, where they began to settle. Following this mass migration, the Uighurs established their own small states and later came under the dominion of Khitans and Mongols, whom they influenced in many aspects. Uighurs are also tought to have played a role in the establishment of the Seljuk and Karahanid states, contributing to the shaping of Turkish-Islamic civilization through their culture and art. When the Mongols began to dominate all the tribes in Turkistan, Uighurs voluntarily accepted Mongol rule. Following this, Uighurs became part of the Mongol Empire's central administration, and due to the expanding Mongol territories, they had the opportunity to travel to many different regions, even establishing an independent principality in Anatolia. The Uighurs contributed to the Turkification of the Mongol states and many other tribes. The traces of the Uighurs' migration adventure can still be seen today in diverse regions such as China, Korea and Anatolia. KEYWORDS: Turks, Uighurs, Turkistan, Migration