Almalik
 | This article relies largely or entirely on a single source. (July 2009) |
Almalik was an ancient city in Central Asia, along Ili river in the Dzungarian basin in what is now Huocheng County. Almalik is only a small town today. The city of Yining lies just to the east in Xinjiang region in northwestern China. Almalik was originally one of Karluk cities in the Turkic Kaganates. See also article on Almaliq, China.
History
Almalik was first mentioned by Persian historians and Chinese travellers (a.o. Qiu Chuji) from the 13th to 15th centuries.
An account by a Persian historian tells that in 1211, Prince Ozar of Almalik acknowledged the supremacy of Genghis Khan. The king was later killed by the Gurkhan of Karakitai. Genghis Khan ordered the king's son Siknak Tekin to succeed him as king of Almalik, and gave him the only daughter of his elder son Jochi for marriage. In 1219, when Genghis Khan led his host on campaign to Persia, Siknak Tekin followed him.[1]
Geography
According to the travel notes of Genghis Khan's chief adviser Yelü Chucai, the city of Almalik was situated between Tian Shan and Ili River. There were plenty of crab apple trees around Almalik. The native people called the crab apple "almalik", giving the name to the city.
The ancient city of Almalik is not to be confused with Almalyk, a new city built in 1951 between the Qurama Mountains and the Ohangaron River[2].
Footnotes
- ^ Emil Bretschneider Mediavel Researches, Vol 2, p33, Trubner Oriental Series, 1888 London
- ^ Encyclopedia Britannica, Olmaliq
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