The Genre and Purpose/Function of the Tes and Tariat Inscriptions

Abstract

The Otuken Uighur Empire was a Turkish khanate that significantly influenced the political, commercial, and cultural life of Central Asia during its approximately 100-year reign. This empire produced many cultural artifacts such as statues, cities, and tombs. The Uighurs also created inscriptions that can be considered as part of these cultural products. The inscriptions of Tes, Tariat, Shine Us and Karabalgasun-I are the inscriptions of the Otuken Uighur Empire. Thus, the Uighurs continued the tradition of creating inscriptions in the steppe empires and proved that they had reached a certain level of civilization. Runic inscriptions are classified differently according to region, tribe, historical period, and genre. The Tes and Tariat Inscriptions have been examined in terms of genre, and some researchers have described them as victory inscriptions, while others have described them as boundary stone inscriptions. This study examines and attempts to determine the genre and purpose/function of the Tes and Tariat inscriptions. Some important differences have been determined between the Tes and Tariat inscriptions. Based on these differences and the contents of the inscriptions, it has been argued that the two inscriptions are not of the same genre, were not created for the same purpose/function, and are not victory or boundary stone inscriptions. The study suggests that the Tes Inscription is an “honorary/confirmation inscription” created to honor Moyen Çor Khan and confirm his empire, and that the Tariat Inscription is a “dominance/show of force inscription” created to express Moyen Çor Khan’s domination and show of power.