12
Yusuf Xos Hojib
Textbook: Part 1, pp. 70–71
GoalLearn about the life of Yusuf Khos Hajib and the history of the creation of the poem “Qutadg‘u bilig.”
New words
court chamberlain (a high office) · hojibcouplet, verse unit · baytcreation of a poem · dostonning yaratilishithe Karakhanids · Qoraxoniylar
Explanation
Yusuf Khos Hajib was born in the city of Balasagun and later moved to Kashgar. He finished the work there, after the age of fifty, in about eighteen months; the author records the year of completion as 462 of the Hijri calendar, which corresponds to 1069–1070 CE. The poem has more than 6,600 couplets (bayt). The author presented it to the Karakhanid ruler Tavghach Ulugh Bughrakhan and received the post of “Khos Hajib” as a reward. The textbook calls “Qutadg‘u bilig” the first large written work of the Turkic literary tradition.
Worked examples
Example: The title “Khos Hajib” became part of the author’s name, which shows the value placed on the work.
Example: With more than 6,600 couplets, writing it took long and serious labour; eighteen months is a short time for that size.
Class activity
Timeline: Balasagun – Kashgar – writing of the work – presentation to the ruler – reward. Write the five stages in order in your notebook.
Practice
1
In which city was Yusuf Khos Hajib born and where did he move?
He was born in Balasagun and moved to Kashgar.
2
How many couplets does the work have and how long did it take to write?
More than 6,600 couplets; about eighteen months.
3
What reward did the author receive for the work?
The post of Khos Hajib.
4
Why does “Qutadg‘u bilig” hold a special place in Turkic literary history?
Because the textbook regards it as the first large written work of Turkic literature.