Turkish Identity: Historical and Contemporary Definitions
“Knowing yourself is the beginning of all wisdom.”
— Aristotle, Greek philosopher
The question “Who are the Turks?” has a complex history. By dictionary definition, a Turk is currently a citizen of the Republic of Turkey. During the Ottoman Empire, regardless of whether you were Greek or Armenian, if you were a subject of the empire, you were called a Turk. From a European perspective, “Muslims” were often considered Turks. In the Middle Ages, a Turk was a very different kind of person—not the modern-day individual in a Western-style suit or the Ottoman men of two centuries ago in kaftans and robes. They were mounted, semi-nomadic people. The word “Turk” literally meant “nomad” and, in many cases, also meant “soldier.” If you had a Turkish name in addition to your original name, it meant you belonged to the warrior class. Names, contrary to our fantasies, have dynamic meanings.
The Evolution of the Term “Turk” and Mythical Identity
The word “Turk” has taken on countless definitions over time. While it now refers to a citizen of Turkey, does this meaning resonate the same way within Turkey itself? Not entirely. The word “Turk” carries a mythical, self-asserting identity. Much like the Turkish-speaking Babur, who claimed descent from Genghis Khan, leading his state to be called the Mughal Empire. The name was a political choice designed to instill fear among rivals. As Turks, like Mongols, were feared as warriors, the name itself became formidable.
The Mughals and Ottomans: Transition from Nomadic to Settled Life
“He who is in love with himself has no rivals.”
— Benjamin Franklin
The Mughal Empire consisted of an Indo-Persian state and the Indian people. Its ruling elite were nomadic Turkic warriors who, over time, assimilated into Indian culture. The Ottoman ancestors of Turkey were also nomadic Turkic warriors who, similarly, eventually dissolved into an Anatolian blend bearing little resemblance to their mythical origins. In fact, both of these states ultimately undermined their nomadic foundations.
Modern Identity Crisis: Pakistan and Turkey
The modern states of Pakistan and Turkey claim to be successor states to the Mughals and Ottomans, respectively, even if with misidentified identities. Pakistan and Turkey are close allies and share similarities in their understanding of identity. [şüpheli bağlantı kaldırıldı]. These two countries show us that there’s a problem with their identities. They are neither who their ancestors were, nor who their ancestors imagined them to be. The legendary figures of old Central Asia served a purpose for a while, but they are no longer fruitful.
Building on Real Foundations: Identity Diagnosis and Solution
Without facts, the construction of knowledge cannot stand; decline seems inevitable. The beginning of problem-solving is diagnosis. Therefore, whatever effort is made, it must stand on concrete, informational, rather than just physical, grounds. With proper identification and diagnosis, we can move forward. Otherwise, you risk losing an empire and becoming a servant of mere identities.
Embracing the True Self and Building the Future
The solution begins with accurate definition. We cannot build floors without standing on solid ground. We must abandon myths and start to understand that our fantasies are not reality. The foundational building blocks of these states are in the heavens, but we need them on the ground. These are the countries of Anatolia and India. The first step is to accept the true self and then continue to forge identities that are better than ever before.
Rumi on Identity
“I am not Christian, nor Jew, nor Gabr, nor Muslim. I am not of the East, nor of the West, nor of the land, nor of the sea; I am not of Nature’s quarry, nor of the circling heaven above. I was not created from earth, nor from water, nor from wind, nor from fire; not of the Empyrean, nor of the carpet, nor of the cosmos, nor of the mineral. I am not from India, nor from China, nor from Bulgaria, nor from Turkestan; I am not from the two countries of Iraq, nor from the land of Khurasan. I am not of this world, nor of the next, nor of Paradise, nor of Hell; Nor of Adam, nor of Eve, nor of Eden, nor of Rizwan. My place is the Placeless, my trace is the Traceless; It is neither body nor soul, for I belong to the Soul of the Beloved. I have cast duality aside, I have seen the two worlds as one; One I seek, One I know, One I see, One I speak.”
—Rumi
