IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF THE GREAT ANCESTORS: HISTORICAL FIGURES IN THE TURKISH WORLD COMMON TURKISH HISTORY TEXTBOOK

Abstract

Although studies were started in 1992 for the preparation of a history textbook that will be taught throughout the Turkish World and thus serve to create a common history consciousness, this first attempt did not result in success. Established in 1992 in 2012, the International Turkic Academy took this issue into its agenda and completed the writing of the Common Turkish History 8 textbook in 2019, as a result of nearly four years of work. This textbook prepared for eighth graders is one of the oldest periods of Turkish history, XV. It covers the period up to the end of the century. Efforts are underway to make this course, which is still taught as an elective course in the eighth grades in Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan and Turkey, on the one hand, and also in other Turkic Republics, especially in Kyrgyzstan. As a result of the research, the most mentioned political figures in the textbook are Timur, Genghis Khan and Fatih Sultan Mehmet; mythological/epic figures Oğuz Kağan, Alp Er Tunga and Dede Korkut; It has been understood that the scientific and cultural figures are Kaşgarlı Mahmud, Ali Kuşçu, Uluğ Bey, Ahmed Yesevî, al-Harizmî. It is thought that the course book has been prepared in a way that will allow the young generations to introduce the common historical figures of the Turkish World and to create a common consciousness, but mentioning some important personalities that are not included, even by name, will be useful as it will provide the teachers with the opportunity to focus on these names in the lessons