Again, the Turks

An ancient nation whose roots sprouted in the harsh conditions of the steppe and transformed into colossal empires, altering the course of history: Turks.

Today, we embark on a captivating journey that spans from the military genius of the first Turkic states to their social structures, from their deep-rooted traditions to the profound traces they left in their spiritual world.

Here are the cornerstones of that ancient legacy, which carried far more than mere military power and shaped the world from Rome to China...

Recognized as the first organized great state in Turkic history, the Huns mark a turning point in military history. The decimal system, which still forms the foundation of modern armies, was introduced by the Huns, who attributed unshakable value to land and independence.

The most vivid summary of this stance is found in the famous story of the great ruler Metehan: When asked to surrender his horse and wife for the sake of peace, Metehan showed no hesitation—but when land was involved, he declared "Land is the foundation of the state; it must not be given to anyone!" and launched an unyielding struggle.

Despite their military brilliance, the Huns fell into dangerous complacency after subjugating China. Marriages with Chinese princesses and the allure of Chinese culture gradually led to internal conflicts, causing the state to fragment under Chinese dominance. A similar fate would later befall the Göktürks: Divided into northern and southern branches, some Göktürk factions became aligned with Chinese interests and were forced to fight against their own people.

The earliest Turkic communities were deeply committed to their traditions, adhering to moral values and operating within a highly structured society. At the same time, they were a people who maximized the technological and material resources of their era.

Their physical disadvantage—being shorter in stature compared to some of the peoples they fought—was overcome by their extraordinary cavalry skills. One of the Turks’ greatest contributions to military history was undoubtedly the invention of the whistling arrow. These arrows, which produced a terrifying sound in flight, shattered enemy morale and provided a decisive advantage on the battlefield.

Turkic warfare tactics and clothing culture—especially the use of trousers and boots—were so effective that the mighty Roman Empire was compelled to reform its own military structure under Hun influence.

Logically speaking, the Turks are among the most widespread and influential peoples on Asia, the world’s largest continent. They were not only the Huns or Göktürks; during the pre-Islamic period, they established a powerful state in northern India known as the Hephthalites (White Huns).

Although they never achieved a fully organized state structure, the ancient Scythians (Sakas), who spread across vast territories in southern Russia, caused major problems for the Persian Empire through their military prowess and left deep imprints on history.

The commonly cited notion of “sun worship” is not what it appears to be. Although the Turks oriented themselves toward the sun, they did so not as an object of worship but as a symbol of direction. They turned toward the direction of the sun’s rising, yet they believed in only one Creator. All these details demonstrate that the Turks were profoundly influenced by a deep-rooted prophetic culture and monotheistic belief systems.

According to some Islamic scholars, the Turks may be among the blessed peoples referred to in the verse of the Qur’an: “Allah loves them and they love Him” (Al-Ma’ida, 54).

This is almost a living manifestation of one of the most famous hadiths in Islamic history:

According to Abu Hurayra, the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “People are like silver and gold mines. Those who were virtuous in the Age of Ignorance remain virtuous in Islam, provided they understand Islam well.”

Long before embracing Islam, the first Turkic states already embodied this hadith’s message through their traditions, justice, military discipline, and moral integrity. After being refined in the crucible of Islam, they preserved these deep-rooted values and paved the way to becoming world empires.