Language and literature

Kutadgu Bilig (Wisdom of Royal Glory)

A page of the Vienna manuscript of Kutadgu Bilig — Wikimedia Commons · Public domain

Author: Jusup Balasagyn
Published: 1069
Language: türkcə (xaqani)

A poem of 6,645 couplets presented to the Karakhanid khagan in 1069–1070 — the first great work of Islamic-era Turkic literature. Through the dialogue of four characters it teaches statecraft: justice, fortune, wisdom and contentment.

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