Close-up on the finely detailed features of the Burana Tower, an ancient minaret in Kyrgyzstan. It is one of the last remnants of Balasagun, an ancient city that was notably one of the political and economic centers of the medieval Qarakhanid dynasty (840–1212). In 1041, this dynasty split into two kingdoms, ruled by two khans: one in the east, one in the west. Bukhara was the capital of the western kingdom, while Balasagun was the residence of the eastern king. The city of Balasagun established itself as one of the centers of Turkic-Muslim culture within the dynasty, contributing to the integration of the Turkic language into the Muslim world. This status was notably reflected through works of courtly poetry (or mirrors for princes) such as The Wisdom of Royal Glory (Kutadgu Bilig), written by Yusuf Balasaghuni in the 11th century.

Photo credit: Tolgahan Biskin (France)

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