Muslim Writers on the City of Osh in the Medieval Period

Abstract

This study examines the city Osh in the medieval period and its place in Turkish cultural history as revealed by Muslim writers. The city of Osh is one of the oldest cities of Central Asia. According to archeological studies, Osh was first settled three thousand years ago. The city was located on one of the arms of the ancient trade artery on the Great Silk Route that linked Western cities to the Eastern world. In terms of its geography, economy, and trade, its location in a favorable and strategic region opened the way to its playing a leading role as a commercial center and transit point in the Middle Ages. The most brilliant period of the city of Osh's economy and culture coincided with the rule of the Karakhanids. This study brings together all the information on the city of Osh drawn from Muslim writers as well as from archeological records foran evaluation of the city's economic power, trade relations, and place in the history of Turkish culture.