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The Turgesh Ascendancy: The Conquest of Balkh and Marv in 737 CE
Content:
In the year 737 CE, the Turgesh Khaganate, a powerful Turkic confederation in Central Asia, achieved a significant military victory by capturing the cities of Balkh and Marv. This event marked a pivotal moment in the struggle for control over Transoxiana (modern-day Central Asia) between the Turgesh and the Umayyad Caliphate, which had been expanding its influence eastward.
The Turgesh, under the leadership of their khagan, Suluk, had emerged as a formidable force in the region. They sought to resist the encroachment of the Umayyad Caliphate, which had been steadily advancing into Central Asia since the early 8th century. The Umayyads, driven by both political and religious motives, aimed to consolidate their control over the Silk Road and spread Islam. However, their harsh policies and heavy taxation had alienated many local populations, creating an opportunity for the Turgesh to rally support.
In 737 CE, Suluk launched a daring campaign against the Umayyad forces. The Turgesh, known for their mobility and expertise in guerrilla warfare, exploited the weaknesses in the Umayyad defenses. They targeted Balkh, a major city in northern Afghanistan, and Marv (modern-day Mary, Turkmenistan), a key administrative and cultural center in the region.
The capture of Balkh and Marv was a significant blow to the Umayyad Caliphate. These cities were not only strategic military outposts but also vital hubs of trade and culture along the Silk Road. The Turgesh victory disrupted Umayyad supply lines and weakened their hold on the region.
The Turgesh success in 737 CE was short-lived, however. The Umayyad Caliphate, under the leadership of the governor Nasr ibn Sayyar, regrouped and launched a counteroffensive. By 738 CE, the Umayyads had regained control of Balkh and Marv, reasserting their dominance in the region. Despite this setback, the Turgesh resistance demonstrated the challenges the Umayyads faced in maintaining control over their vast empire, particularly in the face of determined local opposition.
The Turgesh conquest of Balkh and Marv in 737 CE highlights the complex dynamics of power in Central Asia during this period. It underscores the resilience of the Turgesh and their ability to challenge the might of the Umayyad Caliphate, even if only temporarily. This event also reflects the broader struggle between the expanding Islamic empire and the indigenous peoples of Central Asia, a theme that would continue to shape the region's history in the centuries to come.
The Turgesh Khaganate's resistance against the Umayyads is a testament to the enduring spirit of independence among the Turkic peoples of Central Asia, a legacy that would influence the region's political and cultural landscape for generations.