Transoxiana

  Ērān ud Anērān
  Webfestschrift Marshak 2003

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Aymag and

The inscription is one of the old Turkic inscriptions found in .   It drives its name from the Bugut Mountain located in the Bayn Tsagaan Gol (The Sacred White Lake) region within the and is (only) one of the Turkic cultural and civic monuments among others in the mausoleum complex which dates back to the First Köktürk (and) constructed (in)/on the valley 10 km away (on the east) from the Bugut Mountain in the East.

Its location was discovered by a Mongolian scholar Ts.  and many scholars have published research papers, analises, and reviews on the inscription in recent years.   These studies prove that it belongs to the First Köktürk Kaganate period, and on three sides of it there are texts in Sogdian letters and on the forth side there is a Sanskrit text in Brahmi letters.

These texts are basically on "the order of the Turk/Bilge Nivar to erect a monument on the death of Mahan Tigin",  "the joint reign of Mahan Tigin and Muhan Kagan",  "the ascend of Mahan Tigin to the throne",  "the joint reign of Mahan Tigin and Tatpar Kagan (Taspar Kagan)", and so on, which happened during the years 572-580 AD/PT.

Besides these historical events, there is also a great deal of valuable information on the social structure and the function of the Turkic state ( and his relatives, şadapıts, tarkans, kurkapıns, sengüns, tuduns, cavaliers, and people), its life style, beliefs, values, relations with other nations and groups, and tolerance of the Turkic nation.   Among these informations, it is interesting to note that Turk Kagans who see themselves as "the representatives of God on earth" and "world savers" express their trust and gratitutes to God, to their ancestors, and their ancestors' souls.

Photo 1 (Çeçerleg museum)

This Bugut Inscription is a didactic text and a narrator of historical events.   With these features it also set the example for the later Turkic inscriptions.   From top to the bottom with its turtle like base it has the hight of 2.45 m.    On the front of the top part - the entire right side being ruined - the figure of a child breast-fed by a wolf was inscribed (see photos 1 and 2).

Photo 2 top of photo 1

It is due to the fact that this monument is situated on a turtle-like base that Kol Tigin, Bilge Kagan, Taryat, Tes, Sine Us, and many other inscriptions were also erected on a turtle-like base, and also the same figure of a child breast-fed by a wolf, though in different forms, is found on the top of Kol Tigin and Bilge Kagan inscriptions. In contrast to the inscriptions erected later on there does not exist any kind of seal (Kagan seal or boy (tribe) seal) on this Bugut inscription.

The Bugut inscription, inherited from Turk Kagans of the Ashina family, was moved, with its turtle-like base, from the mausoleum complex and replaced in the garden of the museum at the city center Çeçerleg of Aymag by the Mongolian scholar Ts. DORJSÜREN, in 1956.   After this placement many studies on the shape and the text of the monument have been done.   However, after having been replaced at the museum, the Bugut Mausoleum Complex (BMC) itself and the other master pieces of the Turkic culture and civilization of the complex lost their importance.

Photo 3

After Ts. DORJSÜREN, other studies done by different scholars and scholarly groups such as S.G. , V.A. , V.Ye. VOYTOY, and the Mongolian-Japanese research group led by Takao - Ayudai OCHIR, were only "drilling excavations" and, therefore, were only surface studies.   In fact just like other mausoleum complexes products of the Turkic life styles and believes, the Bugut Mausoleum Complex contains other master pieces of Turkic culture and civilization and also historical information (see photo 3).

We believe that it is necessary to disclose the materials and information we gained during works in the years of 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, and 2001, as well with some suggestions.

1. - The complex

Photo 4

The Bugut Mausoleum Complex was constructed on the plain, westward 10 km. away from Bugut Mountain in the region of the Tsagaan (Sacred White Lake), in Aymag.   As a result of our expeditions on the mausoleum complex we found out that this region was considered by the Turks as one of the sacred places not only during the period prior to the Köktürk but also during and after the .

Photo 5

It's because the findings like kurgans, complexes of mausoleums (see photo 4, 5),   stones with deers and seals (see photo 6),   and figures on the rocks (petroglives) (see photo 7) dating back to the periods of Sahas, Huns, Avars, Köktürk, and clearly prove that many Historic Turkic tribes used this region as "mausoleum complex" and as "a place of worship to God and Ancestors".

Photo 6

The location of the Bugut Mausoleum Complex is, at the same time, forming the conjuction of the highways of those times.   By following the road starting north some 30 km. down South and passing the present complex geographic point brings us to the Hoyd Tamir (Tayhir Culuu) inscriptions.   Consequently, scholars and administers who have an interest in this subject should act to preserve our historical complex.

Photo 7

2. - The complex's components.

Photo 8

The Bugut Mausoleum Complex shows many similarities with later mausoleum complexes.   This complex hosts, aside a number of inscriptions, bark, altar stone, and .   However, since the inscription was taken out of its original context and placed at the museum; the altar stone was or has broken into pieces; bark turned into ruins; stones, bricks and clay-pipes from the walls and base of barks have or were spread all over the place; balbals fell around....

Photo 9

The Bugut Mausoleum Complex turned into ruins.   In this process the long period of time elapsed since its erection and another after the excavations of Ts. DORJSÜREN and V.Ye. VOYTOY have played a great role because not a single measure has been taken to protect it.   A better method for drilling should have been applied during these excavation.   All together, it resulted that clay-pipes, bricks, basement, and a number of artistic pieces were ruined (see photo 8 and 9).
   Without a broader scientific excavation plan not only these mausoleum complexes (starting with the Bugut) but also other master pieces of Turkic culture and civilization were brought and left to annihilation when these complexes should have been taken under national and/or international protection.

3. - The Inscriptions

Photo 10

The Bugut inscription and its turtle-like base are presently exhibited in the garden of Çeçerleg museum.   This open-air exhibition has caused abrasion, corrosion, flakes, and falls on all four sides of the inscription.   Almost all the written surfaces of the inscription lost their origional appearences (see photos 10).   Therefore, it is necessary to move it inside and begin doing restoration and conservation.   During the process of restoration and conservation fallen pieces from the inscription and from the figure of a child breast-fed by a wolf on the top of the inscription should immedetely be restored and replaced.

Photo 11

These pieces were found by V.A. LİVŞİTS in 1970 during the surface studies at the Bugut Mausoleum Complex and placed in the Çeçerleg museum, however their original places could not be figured out at that time.   With the great help of a Mongolian scholar Dr. Tsendiyn BATTULGA we found their places and situated the inscription with other pieces in the museum.   In recent years, with an easy access, Mongolian-Japanese and Mongolian-German scientific groups have worked on the inscription and its component pieces.   The pieces which connect the inscription's east and north faces and having too a figure of a child breast-fed by a wolf, due to their protection inside, are in a better condition than the inscription itself (see photo 11).

4. - Inscription's Importance

Such Old Turkic Inscriptions are very important due to the fact that they brought up to date valuable informations about languages, history, literatures, life styles, believes, perspectives, and esthetics of the Turks.   These are valuable not only for the Turks but also others cultures with whom the Turks, in history, had close ties in social, cultural, religious, political, economics, and military affairs.   The Sogd (sogdak bodun) is one the nations to have had very close relations in the history.   The Bugut inscription shows how close the Turks and the Sogds were indicating that the Turks used language and alphabet at the court.
   Moreover, inscriptions from the periods of and (as Köl Tigin, Bilge Kagan, Bilge Tonyukuk, and Moyun Çor inscriptions) mention Sogdians.   Each of these inscription has text with Sogdian letters on one face (Karabalgasun III, Somon Sevrey); consequently, during the Uygur period (Kök)Turk alphabet was deserted and Uygur alphabet with a Sogdian origin was accepted.

All these facts indicate the level of affairs between the Turks and the Sogdians.   Many times back in history they lived nearby.   However, this period and their relations have yet to be studied and scholars who are eligible to study knowing Turkic and Sogdian languages have yet to come out.   Therefore, today we are facing many problems in reading and comprehending the Turkic inscriptions in Sogdian language, starting with the Bugut inscription.
   To bring out these inscriptions which will shed light upon the history of these neighboring and relative nations it is necessary for the universities and institutions to teach graduate students the Old Turkic (Köktürk, Uygur, Karahanli) along with the old Turkic alphabet, this in combination with the Sogdian language and alphabet, Chinese, Sanskrit language and alphabet, and Tibetian language and alphabet.

Notes

• The word bugut is constructed by the word buku/bugu (deer) and /+t/ plural ending, indicating "deers".   In the past as well as today deer live in the mountains westward 10 km away from the Bugut memorial grave complex.   This indicates that "deers" among the Turks have been throughout the history the indicator of "mother," "abundance," "wealth," "state", "eternity," and "happiness."   Therefore the mountain and the complex as Bugut.   In addition, the word Bugu(t) is also used as a name for a group of Turkic people who lived in the north of Tuul (Tola) River.   For further information on this Bugu(t) tribe see TAŞAĞIL, Ahmet, Gök-Türkler, vol.I, Ankara, 1995; vol.II, Ankara, 1999, pp.41-42; TAŞAĞIL, Ahmet, "İslam Öncesi Devrede Orta Asya'da Yaşayan Türk Boyları," Türkler, vol.II, Ankara: Yeni Turkiye Yayinlari, 2002, pp.323-367.
• G. MENES, RINCHEN, S. G. KLYAŞTORNIY-V.A. LİVŞİTS, Masao MORI, Louis BAZIN, Jean Paul ROUX, Saadet ÇAĞATAY-Semih TEZCAN, Emine GÜRSOY-NASKALİ, V.Ye. VOYTOV, Takao MORIYASU-Toshio HAYASHI, Yutaka YOSHIDA, Takashi OSAWA, Talat TEKİN, Sema BARUTÇU-ÖZÖNDER, Osman Fikri SERTKAYA-Cengiz ALYILMAZ-Tsendiyn BATTULGA and other scholars published papers and reviews. See "Bibliography" section.
• Until 1997 works on the Bugut inscription read this word as "Taspar." But Japanese scholar Prof. Yutaka YOSHIDA with his epigraphic notes read the word as "Tatpar." For further information see YOSHIDA, Yutaka-MORIYASU, Takao, Bugut Inscription, Provisional Report of Researches on Historical Complexes and Inscriptions in Mongolia from 1996 to 1998, Tokyo, 1999, pp.122-124; OSAWA, Takashi, "Moğolistan'daki Eski Türk Anıt ve Yazıtlarının 1996-1998 Yılları Arasındaki Yeni İnceleme Sonuçları (Japon-Moğol Ortak Çalışmasının Ön Raporu Olarak)," TDAY Belleten 2000, Ankara, 2001, pp.277-286.
• For the text and the translation of the Bugut inscription see ÇAĞATAY, Saadet-TEZCAN, Semih, "Tanıtmalar: Köktürk Tarihinin Çok Önemli Bir Belgesi Soğtça Bugut Yazıtı," TDAY Belleten 1975-1976, Ankara, 1976, pp.245- 252; KLYAŞTORNIY, Sergey G.-LİVŞİTS Viladimir A., "Buguttaki Sogtça Kitabeye Yeni bir Bakış," TDAY Belleten 1987, Ankara, 1992, pp.201-241, translated by Emine GÜRSOY-NASKALİ (Emine GÜRSOY-NASKALİ also gives some notes on other studies about the Bugut inscription.); YOSHIDA, Yutaka-MORIYASU, Takao, Bugut Inscription, Provisional Report of Researches on Historical Complexes and Inscriptions in Mongolia from 1996 to 1998, Tokyo, 1999, pp.122-124.
• The same as the memorial grave complexes in the Höröögiyn Amnı Hoit Höndii region (1554 m, 47 T 0675687, UTM 5291782) and kurgans in the Gindiyn Bulak region (1556 m, 47 T 0677772, UTM 5291680).
• The same as the stone with the seals and deers on dating back to the Saha period and located in the south of the Bugut memorial grave complex (1613 m, 47 T 0670833, UTM 5298849) and in the Gindiyn Bulak region (1556 m, 47 T 0677772, UTM 5291680; 1546 m, 47 T 0678863, UTM 529 2259).
• The same as the petroglives (figures on the rocks) on the rocks of Höröögiyn Üzüüriyn Had/Höröögiyn Üzüüriyn (1555 m, 47 T 0676590, UTM 5289478.
• (1596 m, 47 T 0669407, UTM 5274337)
• There are 232 in the Bugut memorial grave complex.   From the balbal 101, others are again going towards the north making a slight curve.
• The lenght of the two pieces found by V.A. LİVŞİTS during the surface studies in and replaced in Çeçerleg Museum, is 60 cm.   As a result of our works on the inscription we found out that there is a missing 60 cm-long piece and the lenght of the pieces which connect the east and the north sides is 1.20 m.   These missing parts belong to the top of the pieces found by V.A. LİVŞİTS.   We believe that these missing parts will also come out soon.
• I would like to thank Dr. Tsendiyn BATTULGA and Civil Engineer Dr. Murat YAKAR for their valuable helps during my works on these parts of the inscription.
• See "Foreign Relations and Cooperation of The Institute of History, Mongolian Academy of Sciences," NOMADIC IISNC (International Institute for The Study of Nomadic Civilizations), No:18, Ulaanbaatar, 2001, p. 4.
• For details see TEKİN, Talat, Soğd ve Uygur Alfabesiyle Türkçe, Tarih Boyunca Türkçenin Yazımı, Ankara, 1997, pp.41-50.
• Ataturk University, Kazim Karabekir Teachers' College, Turkish Department, Erzurum / Turkey. (a.cengiz©turk.net)

Bibliography

1. * BAZIN, Louis, - "Turcs et Sogdiens: Les Enseignements de L'Inscription de Bugut (Mongolie), Mélanges Linguistiques Offerts à Émile Benveniste", Collection Linguistique, publiée par la Société de Linguistique de Paris, LXX, Peeters, Louain/Paris, 1975, pp.37-45. (in French. Reading Location = be.UCL.BGSH.FP-100 X1 BEN)
2. ESİN, Emel - "M. V-VII nci Asırlardan Târihî ve Arkeolojik Malzeme Işığında Taspar Kağan'ın (M. 572-81) Kültür Çevresi", Türk Kültürü Araştırmaları, XXIII/1-2, Ankara, 1985, pp.230-243. (in Turkish)
3. DAŞNYAM, Luvsandambın, ve OCHIR, Ayuday, etc., - Mongol Nutag Dah' Tuuh Soyelın Dursgal, Ulaanbaatar, 1999. (in Mongol, probably without Latin alphabet)
4. GÖMEÇ, Saadettin, - Kök Türk Tarihi, Ankara, 1999. (in Turklish)
5. , Sergey G. ve LİVŞİTS Viladimir A., - "Sogdiyskaya Nadpis' iz Buguta," Stranı i Narodı Vostoka, X, Moskova, 1971, pp.121-146. (in Russian)
6. * MARŞAK, Boris I., - "Türkler ve Soğdlular," transleted by. Alesker ALESKEROV. Türkler, v. II, Ankara, 2002, pp.170-178. (in Turkish/English)
7. MORI, Masao, - "A New Material on the s in the Tu-chüeh Empire," Shigaku–Zasshi, LXXXI/2, February 1972, pp.77-86. (in English)
8. * and OCHIR, Ayuday, - Provisional Report of Researches on Historical Sites and Inscriptions in Mongolia from 1996 to 1998, Tokyo, 1999. (in English)
9. OSAWA, Takashi, - Moğolistan'daki Eski Türk Anıt ve Yazıtları Üzerine Yeni Araştırmalar (1) 1996-1998 Japon-Moğol Ortak Çalışmasının Ön Raporu, İstanbul-Berlin, 2000. (in Turkish)
10. OSAWA, Takashi, - "Moğolistan'daki Eski Türk Anıt ve Yazıtlarının 1996-1998 Yılları Arasındaki Yeni İnceleme Sonuçları (Japon-Moğol Ortak Çalışmasının Ön Raporu Olarak)," TDAY Belleten 2000, Ankara, 2001, pp.277-286 (in Turkish)
11. OSAWA, Takashi, - "Batı Göktürk Kağanlığı'ndaki Aşinaslı Bir Kağan'ın Şeceresine Ait Bir Kaynak," Türkler, v. II, Ankara, 2002, pp.79-88. (in Turkish)
12. ÖZÖNDER - BARUTÇU, F. Sema, - "Türk"ler Ne Zaman Bir "Millet" İdi? I. Ortak Bir Köken Mitleri Vardı: Bir "Dişi-kurt"tan Türemişlerdi," KÖK Araştırmalar, v. I, no. 2, Ankara, 1999, pp.65-92. (in Turkish)
13. ÖZÖNDER-BARUTÇU, F. Sema, - "Eski Türklerde Dil ve Edebiyat," Türkler, vol.3, Ankara, 2002, pp.481-501. (in Turkish)
14. PRİTSAK, Omeljan, - "The Old Turkic Title "ywry'p'ynt", Studia Turcologica, Memoriae Alexii Bombaci Dicata, Napoli, 1982, p. 403-406. (in English)
15. , - Les Dessins Pictographiques et Les Inscriptions Sur Les Rochers Et Sur Les Steles En Mongolie, Ulaanbaatar, 1968. (in French)
16. * ROUXS, Jean Paul, - "Les Inscriptions de Bugut et de Tariyat sur la religion des Turcs," Studia Turcologica, Memoriae Alexii Bombaci Dicata, Napoli, 1982, s. 451-461. (in French)
17. SERTKAYA, Osman Fikri, - Göktürk Tarihinin Meseleleri, Ankara, 1995. (in Turkish)
18. SERTKAYA, Osman Fikri – , Cengiz – BATTULGA, Tsendiyn, - "Moğolistandaki Türk Anıtları Projesi Albümü", Ankara, 2001. (in Turkish)
19. TAŞAĞIL, Ahmet, - "Gök-Türkler", vol.I, Ankara, 1995; v. II, Ankara, 1999. (in Turkish)
20. TAŞAĞIL, Ahmet, - "İslam Öncesi Devrede Orta Asya'da Yaşayan Türk Boyları," Türkler, v. II, Ankara, 2002, pp.323-367. (in Turkish)
21. VOYTOV, V. Ye., - Drevnetyurkskiy Panteon i Model' Mirozdaniya v Kul'tovo-Pominal'nıh Pamyatnikah Mongolii VI-VIII vv, Moscow, 1996. (in Russian)

© The Author/s

Actualizado el 24/07/2004

NDLR - Redaction Notes.

: Some 330 km west of Ulanbaatar. (47°55'0"N, 101°16'0"E)

: for Paleography see Helmut Humbach in Iranica.

Migrations