Studia Humanitatis (Apr 2023)
Uighurs and Iranian-Chinese civilization
Abstract
The studying of Persian-Tajik literature influence on Uighur poetry and prose reveals amazing facts and interesting materials that testify to the Tajik and Dari power, and the significance of literature in this language. The Uighurs were able, through their alphabet, to give a second life not only to the Buddhist, but also to the ancient Christian written heritage. Moreover, together with the Tibetans, they translated Indian and Buddhist works from Sanskrit into their language. Their other merit is the translation of works from Chinese and Tocharian languages. Obviously, that cultures and civilizations developed in parallel. For example, thanks to the Great Silk Road, not only the influence of Sogdians culture along this road was felt, but also a dialogue of cultures took place. In particular, the study of the northern and north-western parts of China reveals their connection with Iranian civilization and Turkic culture. The Silk Road was also under the control of Sogdians ensuring in the 7th and 8th centuries the residence of the Persian-speaking and Turkic-speaking population in the regions of China. This circumstance subsequently caused the appearance of the Persians in China. For hundreds of years the Uyghur people, living in Western China, made a huge contribution to the penetration of Persian culture and literature into ancient China.
