“SOCIAL STRATIFICATION IN DEVONU LUG‘OTIT TURK AND QUTADG‘U BILIG”

Abstract

The social structure of medieval Turkic societies is reflected vividly in classical literary and linguistic sources. Among these, Devonu Lug‘otit Turk by Mahmud al-Kashgari and Qutadg‘u Bilig by Yusuf Khass Hajib occupy a special place as foundational works of Turkic intellectual history. These texts not only preserve linguistic heritage but also provide valuable insights into the social stratification, political organization, and cultural norms of the Turkic world in the 11th century. This article analyzes the representation of social classes and hierarchical relations in both works. By examining terminology, descriptions of professions, and ideological narratives, the study reveals how social groups such as rulers, military elites, scholars, merchants, and common people were conceptualized.