The Uyghurs, who destroyed the Göktürks in 744 and became the rulers of the steppe, controlled east–west trade while developing close ties with the Sogdians. They are also known as the only nomadic state to adopt Manichaeism as its state religion.
The Uyghur Empire (744–840)
- It ruled the Mongolian Plateau and strengthened relations with China’s Tang dynasty through the “silk-for-horses trade.”
- Silk-for-horses trade: A trade in which the Tang paid large quantities of silk in exchange for Uyghur horses. The Uyghurs imposed terms that were overwhelmingly favorable to themselves.
- 762: It adopted Manichaeism as its state religion, becoming the first Manichaean nomadic state. This was influenced by Sogdian Manichaeans.
- 840: It collapsed after an invasion by the Kyrgyz. Some Uyghurs migrated to Central Asia, toward Ganzhou and the Tianshan region.
Coexistence with the Sogdians
- The combination of Uyghur political and military power with the Sogdians’ commercial network enabled control of trade in Central Asia.
- The Uyghurs adopted the Sogdian script and developed the Uyghur script.
- The Uyghur script was later adopted by the Mongol Empire and became the ancestor of the Mongolian and Manchu scripts.
Key Point
The Uyghur Adoption of Manichaeism: In 762, the Uyghur qaghan who had aided Xuanzong and Suzong, who were facing difficulties during the An Lushan Rebellion (755–763), demanded that the Tang protect Manichaeism as part of the postwar peace agreement. As a result, Manichaean temples were built in Chang’an. This was a rare example of a nomadic state adopting a particular religion and is often contrasted with the later Islamization of Turkic peoples.
The Uyghur Adoption of Manichaeism: In 762, the Uyghur qaghan who had aided Xuanzong and Suzong, who were facing difficulties during the An Lushan Rebellion (755–763), demanded that the Tang protect Manichaeism as part of the postwar peace agreement. As a result, Manichaean temples were built in Chang’an. This was a rare example of a nomadic state adopting a particular religion and is often contrasted with the later Islamization of Turkic peoples.
The Qocho Uyghur Kingdom
After the empire collapsed, the Qocho Uyghur Kingdom (9th–13th centuries) continued to exist based in Turfan (Qocho) and Karakhoja in Central Asia. It shifted to a settled agricultural oasis culture and developed a multi religious culture in which Buddhism, Manichaeism, and Nestorian Christianity coexisted. Numerous manuscripts and murals remain, making them important sources for the study of Silk Road culture.
Practice
- State why the Uyghur Empire was able to maintain an advantageous position in the “silk-for-horses trade” with the Tang.
- Using the term “An Lushan Rebellion,” explain how the Uyghurs came to make Manichaeism their state religion.
- Explain the historical significance of the Uyghur script by showing its connection to scripts used by later peoples.