[continue of the discussion with Ihsan about consequences of Talas Battle 751 AD]
The Battle of Talas was fought at 751, the earliest date of mass-convertions of Turkic peoples started in the 940s. There is an almost two centuries of gap between the two events.
The Volga Bulgars learned about Islam via Muslim traders from the South, they converted under the orders of their ruler, just like what happened to the Kievan Rus. I think the Qara-Khanids and Oghuz, at least the early followers of Seljk (Seljűk) Begh, converted in the same way, though there must have been many self-convertions too. Satuq Bughra Khan, for example, was influenced from a refugee Smnid prince whereas Seljuk Begh had to convert to gain support from the residents of Jand (remember that after breaking up from the Yabghu of Oghuz, Seljuk went to Jand with his followers and converted to Islam later).
Islam was spread among the rest of Qara-Khanids and some of the Uyghurs via the "Holy Wars" of Muslim Qara-Khanid rulers. Especially the earliest Muslim Qara-Khanids had many "Ghz" rulers. |
Well, my original post was not only about Turkic tribes but about whole Central Asia..and yes the Volga Bulgars have not fit for this theory. What about the Taharides, Saffarides and Samanids and their influence for the neighbouring nomads ? Do you think the Turkish tribes would be converted into Islam in X centaury beeing separated from the Khalifate by other religion (zoroastranism, buddishm, nestorianism) ?
My point is that I couldn't find any connections between Turkic peoples converting to Islam and the Battle of Talas. You say the Turks converted via Islamised Transoxiana, but Talas didn't and couldn't have much impacts on Abbsid rule over the region. Even if the Tang won, they still wouldn't conquer the region, at least for a long time. If they did, the Abbsids would re-strike with even more powerful forces (remember the wars between Sulu Qaghan and Umawwids ) |
Hmm.. and what was the position of Abbasids in the Central Asia in this age ?.. Why Abbasids haven't increase their conquest ? The answer is the many internal revolts ( in Transoxiana but alo in Persia ) which have take place in the second VIII centaury as well as in the first half of IX centraury. To name just the main leaders: Sunbadq, Muqanna, Babak, Jahija ibn Abd Allah, Rafi ibn Lajsa...
Edited by TJK