Relationship Between The Uighurs And The Sogdians

The Sogdians lived in Mongolia plateau for quite a long time. Since the sixth century, they began to have frequent activities in the Turkic Khanate. After744AD when the Uighur dominate Mo Bei areas and established Uighur regime, the Sogdians developed a close relation with the Uighurs. Not only did the Uighurs learn business skills from the Sogdians, but believed in Manichaeism under the influence of the Sogdians. In addition, the creation of Uighur scripts was strongly influenced by the Sogdians. In short, we can say that Sogdian culture had been permeated into almost every aspects of Uighur society.The Sogdians had frequently activities and played a vital role in political, economic, diplomatic and other aspects as well. The Sogdians enjoyed a high status at the age since6th century and spread the culture on the Silk Road, became the East-West trade envoys because of their commercial talent, and made important contributions to the social development of Turkic Khanate and the Uighur Khanate.Transferring the faith to Manichaeism was a big event in the Uighur history. The Sogdians exerted a deeply influence in that process. At that time, the original believe shamanism had no longer adapted to the development of Uighur society and the Uighurs had very intimate relationships with the Sogdians who were devout followers of manicheism. Gradually affected by the Sogdians’ religious faith, Manichaeism became the state religion of the Uighur Khanate and also had a far-reaching influence.The Uighur were comprehensively affected by the Sogdians, not only limited to the aspects of religions, especially focuses on its relationship with the invention of uighur script--origin of Uighur script. In the process of forming the various, enduring and different culture from the general nomads. It goes without saying that the Sogdians played a vital role.