The first Turks to form a state in the territory of central Asia (including Kyrgystan) were Gokturks and his sons in 552 AD which was divided into two rival Khanates in 744. Qokuru Khanate whose empire floureished encompassing most of central Asia from 740-840. He was a Budhist. Some of them was converted to Muslimin 10th century andf built a federation with muslim institutions called kara Khanlik. Its capital, balasagun, flourished as a cultural and economic centre.
Burana tower in Balasagun, 11th century.
In the 13th century the Mongol invaded central Asia and devasted the territory of Kyrgyzstan.
Before Kyrgyzstan was occupied by Russia in 19th century many changes in hands took place there.Kyrgyzstan came in the hands of Khanate of Kokand and formally it was annexed by Russian Empire in 1876.
A 50-Kyrgyzstani som banknote representing KumanjanDatka.
