Avshar Turkmen

Avshars are a branch of the Turkic Oghuz groups in Anatolia and Azerbaijan, which are also called Turkmens. These originally nomadic Oghuz tribes moved from Central Asia through Iran, Syria and finally settled in Anatolia.

According to the legends, Oghuz Turks are formed from two main branches: Ucok and Boz ok (meaning Three Arrows and Gray Arrows). These two branches consisted equal numbers of "boyu", meaning smaller tribes. Avshar Turkmens are believed to belong to the Gray Arrow branch and Avshar was himself, according to the Oghuz Kagan legend, the son of the Yildizhan (Star-Khan), one of the 6 sons of Oghuz Kagan. (mentioned and listed in Mahmud Kashgari's Divanu-Lugat-it Turk, 11th century).

Avshars shared the same history with other Oghuz tribes until entering the Anatolia. Until the 10th century, they are believed to have lived along the banks of the Syr Darya (Seyhun) river and on the northern steppes of the river. Beginning from the 9th century, they started migrating towards west. Avshars are believed to have entered Anatolia after the Battle of Manzikert in 1071. They settled in various places in Anatolia. During the Mongol invasion in the following period, some Avshar tribes migrated to Syria and later formed what was called Halep Turkmens, which eventually migrated back to Anatolia and settled there.

Avshars lived under the authority of the State they lived in, but they also formed great local dynasties which behaved independent in internal affairs. Avshars are mentioned as one of the few Oghuz "boyu" tribes who had a strong political influence, the others are being the Kayı tribe who founded the Ottoman Empire and Kinik Tribe who founded Seljuk Empire.

Resources

• İlhan Şahin - Nomads in the Ottoman Empire ISBN 9789756372234
• Faruk Sümer - Oğuzlar ISBN 5560005118