This book details the history of Turks in Central Asia from their first Empire on the Orkhon River from 546 to 658 AD, the second Empire from 678-747 AD, and the subsequent Uigur States in Kocho, Bisbalyq, East Turkestan and Kansu. It describes the origin and development of the Uigur language, and the formation of written Uigur literature from the oral tradition. The main thrust of the work is the place of the Golden Light Sutra (Suvarna-prabhasa-sutra) in Uigur literature, its rich source of dharanis which are of great relevance for linguistics and the interrelations of different versions in Sanskrit, Tibetan and Chinese. An account of explorations in Sinchiang in the third chapter surveys the remnants of civilisations of the Central Asian peoples.

ISBN 13: 9788177420876

ISBN 10: 8177420879

Year: 2009

Language: ENGLISH

Pages etc.: 228p., bibl., 29cm.

Binding: Hardbound

Subject(s): History, Buddhism