The Polovcian Problem (II): Qipčaqs, Comans, and Polovcians

Klyashtornyj, Sergej G. (2005) The Polovcian Problem (II): Qipčaqs, Comans, and Polovcians. Acta Orientalia, 58 (3). pp. 243-248. ISSN 0001-6446

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Abstract

The generally accepted identification of the Qipčaqs, Comans, Cuns and Polovcians can be questioned in light of the evidence provided by the most informed Muslim authors of the 11th-12th centuries. Passages from the works of al-Marwazī, al-Bīrūnī and Mahmūd al-Kāshgharī allow us to suggest that the Qipčaq invasion of the 11th century was the result of a Transeurasian migration of three Turkish-speaking tribal groups: the Syr-Qipčaqs, the Basmyl-Šary-Polovcians, and the Cun-Comans. Their unification under the general name of Qipčaq comes from a historical tradition determined by the confederations themselves.

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