Turkic literature and religious sciences

In the 10th–12th centuries, alongside oral literature, written Turkic literature appeared. Yusuf Khass Hajib (11th century) was born in Balasagun; he began the epic “Qutadgu Bilig” (“Knowledge that brings happiness”) in 1069, finished it in Kashgar in 1070 and presented it to the Karakhanid ruler Tavghach Bughra Khan; it contains thoughts on justice, knowledge, ethics and government. Mahmud Kashgari travelled the Turkic lands and wrote around 1072 the dictionary “Divan Lughat at-Turk” (“Collection of Turkic Words”); it explains Turkic words in Arabic and includes a world map. Ahmad Yugnaki’s “Hibat al-haqa’iq” (“Gift of Truths”) is an ethical and instructive book praising knowledge and good manners. Mahmud az-Zamakhshari (1075–1144) was born in Khwarazm and wrote over 50 works; “Al-Mufassal” (Arabic grammar) and “Al-Kashshaf” (Quran commentary) are famous, and he is honoured as “Jarullah” and “Pride of Khwarazm”. Ahmad Yasawi’s “Hikmat” also belongs to Turkic literature of this period.