HOW THE TURKS SHAPED CIVILIZATION

Human history spans hundreds of thousands of years and forms a whole. It is not merely the history of races or nations. Civilization belongs to everyone and has developed through cultural transmission. Some innovations may have first appeared or originated in certain places, and these are associated with the respective nations. When one mentions democracy, ancient Greece comes to mind. The Mediterranean is the cradle of civilizations, from which much knowledge has emerged.

The history of civilization has not followed a straight path. The belief that it evolved in a linear fashion from Greece to Rome and then to Europe is incorrect. Rather, it resembles a sine wave. Historical periods, such as the Stone Age, are theoretical constructs rather than proven realities. Humans have been civilized from the very beginning. There have been times and places where civilization has declined. For instance, the descendants of the Aztecs, who once revolutionized astronomy, have now fallen far behind.

Every nation has contributed to civilization to some extent. Years ago, a German professor remarked, "Even if the Turks had contributed nothing else to humanity, the mere invention of yogurt would be enough." This highly valuable intestinal antiseptic derives its name from the Turkish word yoğurmak (to knead).

Today, yogurt is sold under the label "Bulgarian milk." The Turks have even failed to claim ownership of this. The grandchildren of those who once rowed boats to the villages along the Bosphorus to listen to the nightingales now spit on the streets. They have lost that refined aesthetic sense and cultured way of life.

Turkish Cuisine

One of the most important characteristics of the Turks is their adaptability. They are among the communities that best integrate into their environment. They have a unique sensitivity to positive influences from their surroundings. For this reason, they have absorbed elements from the Chinese, Mongols, Persians, Indians, Arabs, Armenians, and Greeks without any inferiority complex, blending them with their own culture to create a globally recognized Turkish culture and civilization.

Although they may not have originally possessed a sophisticated culinary tradition due to the conditions of Central Asia, they have, over the centuries, developed one of the world's most renowned cuisines. In addition to meat-based pilaf, they have introduced countless dishes, beverages, and desserts. Many national cuisines are, in fact, adaptations of Istanbul cuisine. There is no distinct Bulgarian, Greek, or Armenian cuisine—each is merely a variation of Istanbul's culinary tradition.

For example, coffee is not native to Turkish lands. However, after discovering and embracing it in the 16th century, it was the Turks who introduced it to the world following the Second Siege of Vienna. They even developed their own unique brewing method. European musical culture was profoundly influenced after encountering the mehter (Ottoman military band) during this siege, leading to the emergence of military bands in the West.

"Bring Molten Iron!"

Turkish civilization may not have been as grand as ancient China or Persia. Geographical conditions only allowed for certain possibilities. However, contrary to common belief, they were not merely a nomadic people. They built cities, towns, and villages. They revolutionized agriculture, transitioning from superficial plowing to deep plowing using iron tools.

The Turks excelled in metallurgy. The contribution of iron to civilization is undeniable. The richest iron deposits are in Central Asia. Even the legend of Ergenekon tells of a mountain of iron being melted by a blacksmith to open a passage. In interpretations of the Quran, it is said that the people who provided molten iron for Dhu al-Qarnayn's (a figure in Islamic tradition) construction of a barrier were the Turks. Numerous iron artifacts have been discovered in Turkish territories. Additionally, the Avars were highly advanced in jewelry making.

The greatest Turkish contribution to civilization was in urban planning. They founded new cities and towns while also developing existing ones. Their distinctive urban aesthetics and architectural styles spread from Turkestan to Central Europe and the Adriatic. The charming houses, courtyards, bay windows, and windows all reflect this. Turkish bazaars, in particular, create a unique world of their own.

A city represents a state. Thus, a strong tradition of governance emerged. Sovereigns ruled with authority limited by customary law. At a time when laws were often unwritten and secret, the Turks had an established tradition of written laws. Among the Huns, the treasury of the ruler and that of the state were kept separate.

Turan Tactic

The Turks are a people of the horse. A Turk can spend long periods without dismounting. Pastırma (cured meat), derived from bastırma (pressing), was developed when raw meat was softened under the saddle. The Turks were the ones who domesticated the horse, and if one looks at the Oghuz epic, they are also credited with inventing the wheel and the cart.

They developed the saddle and stirrup. Because these innovations made riding easier, the Turks were the first to wear trousers and lightweight clothing, introducing them to the world through the Hungarians.

Turkish military organization and tactics have been models in world military history. One notable strategy is the Turan Tactic, where the army feigns retreat, only to suddenly turn and encircle the enemy.

The Germanic and Slavic peoples of Eastern Europe, fleeing from the Huns and Avars, migrated westward. This great event, known as the Migration Period, altered Europe's demographic structure and thus reshaped its cultural history.

Finally, the Muslim Turks, despite immense hardships, halted and assimilated the Mongols—one of history’s most brutal, plundering, and destructive forces—thereby rendering a great service to humanity.

Paper, Printing, and Gunpowder

The Twelve-Animal Turkish Calendar is an original timekeeping system. Each month and year is represented by an animal. Although it is now associated with the Chinese, the advanced astronomical knowledge of the Turks is well-documented. Scholars such as Al-Biruni, Omar Khayyam, and Ulugh Beg emerged from among the Turks.

The Seljuks devised the Jalali Calendar, which was more precise than the one used in Europe today. Their military campaigns led them to make significant advancements in geography. They produced scholars such as Piri Reis and Seydi Ali Reis. It was the Uyghur Turks who learned about paper, printing, and gunpowder from the Chinese and introduced them to the world.

The Turks were the first to recognize the mentally ill, who were burned alive in Europe for being "possessed by the devil," as patients and to treat them humanely. They pioneered treatments using water, birdsong, melodies, and occupational activities. The bimarhanes (mental hospitals) established by the Turks in Anatolia and surrounding regions have survived to the present day.