The Inscriptions on the Gravestones of Kultegin and Bilga khan: Reading and Interpretation of the Texts

The inscriptions Kul Tigin and Bilga-kagan are one of the most ancient monuments of ancient Turkic historiography, as well as written literature and the literary language. The historian and writer Yollug Tigin used his knowledge and skills to write this monument. The structure of the epigraphic text is ideal and very complex.Most of these texts were spoken from the mouth of Bilga Kagan. The writer Yollug Tigin wrote the text of the stele that his father uttered. Three years later, after the death of Bilga Kagan, Yollug Tigin himself wrote this inscription. Kagan took the speech written for the previous monument and included it here. However, the next part is not a literal repetition of the previous text, but a revised, edited, finished version of the author. This is the first, but also a wonderful example of the art of text editing.From the texts of Kul Tigin and Bilga Kagan, you can find out what appeal to the people. This official appeal marks the beginning of the call, namely the name Täŋri-täg Täŋri yaratmïš türk Bilgä qaγan sabïm. Kagan began all international and diplomatic letters, appeals to the people with this title.The title of Bilga Kagan is the first, but also a classic example of medieval Turkic titles. All its components are completely compact and elegant. This indicates a high level of documentation of the ancient Turkic language.The title of Bilga Kagan was not only a model of the era of his time, but also served as a model and standard for all official medieval documentary labels. The traditions of the Kok-Turkic documentary tradition continued throughout the following centuries. The owners of the Turkic Kaganate and states began their labels with such titles.