The Historical Information in Shakarim Kudayberdiuli’s “Genealogy of Turks, Kyrgyz, Kazakhs, and Khans”

Abstract

One of the important figures of 19th- and 20th-century Kazakh literature, Shakerim Kudayberdiyev was a student of Abay, the pioneer of Kazakh literature. Shakerim, who grew up under the supervision of Abay, adopted his worldview. Renowned for his works in verse and prose in the fields of history, philosophy, and theology, Shakerim began to write the “Genealogy of Turks, Kyrgyz, Kazakhs, and Khans” at the age of 19, under the guidance of Abay. While writing the genealogy, he used Western sources, particularly Russian ones, as well as sources written by Muslims. In addition to the written sources, Shakerim also drew on oral sources and incorporated his own thoughts into his work by comparing all the sources he obtained. The “Genealogy of Turks, Kyrgyz, Kazakhs, and Khans” is considered the first work on Kazakh history. In his work, he begins with the origins of humanity, discusses the place of Turks in human history, and then provides a detailed account of the history of the Kazakhs. As the author of this work on Kazakh history, Shakerim Kudayberdiyev can rightly be regarded as the first historian of the Kazakhs. Considering the conditions of his time, the vast number of sources that Shakerim, as someone living in the steppe, was able to access while writing his work is not only surprising but also worthy of great admiration. Shakarim Kudayberdiuli’s genealogy has made a profoundly significant contribution to shaping the origins, lineage, and history of the Kazakh people. In this study, after providing information about Shakerim’s life and literary personality, his work “Genealogy of Turks, Kyrgyz, Kazakhs, and Khans” was analyzed in terms of structure and content, and the literary and historical value of the work was emphasized.

Makalenin Künyesi: Nurlanova, A. (2025). Şäkärım Qūdaiberdıūlynyŋ “Türık, qyrğyz qazaq häm handar şejıresındegı” tarihi mälımetter. Türk Dünyası Dil ve Edebiyat Dergisi, 60, 71-100.