In the IX-X centuries there was a severe drought in the Eurasian steppes, and it was a serious change of climate in the region. The people of the Guzes suffered greatly from this drought and migrated to the upper reaches of the Amu Darya River, to other parts of Central Asia, as well as towards Rus. In Russia, the Guzes were called Torks. The Guzes began to interact with the Kiev princes, and their cavalry participated in joint military actions.
It is known that Khazars and Guzes are related peoples, and according to legend their forebears — Khazar and Uguz were brothers. At first, the Guzes were vassals of Khazaria and lived on its eastern borders. The Guzes were a very privileged people in the Khazar Khaganate. They represented the military garrisons of the cities of Sarkel and Saksin.
Map of campaigns on Khazaria in the X century
At the beginning of the IX century, the rulers of the Khazar Kaganate converted to Judaism. From this moment the Khazar Khaganate began to weaken. The new religion did not begin to recognize provincial nobility. Besides in Khaganate lived inhabitants who professed Islam and Christianity, and did not want to pass to Judaism. These layers of a society have raised revolt against authority. Rebels in people nicknamed kabaras. And then Khazar Khagan has addressed for military help to Guzes and Pechenegian. With great difficulty over Kabars was won, but this civil war strongly weakened Khaganate.
In 889 Pechenegian invaded Khazaria from the east, who ruined Khazar settlements, seized the trade route from the capital of Khazaria to Khorezm, and caused great economic damage to the Khaganate. The Khazars then called on the help of the Guzes, and thus were able to defeat the Pechenegs. Then Guzes have been hired by Khazar Hagan Aaron II for struggle against Alans.
Flag of the Oguz Turks. Photo from free sources on the Internet.
In the first half of the X century there was a major uprising against the Khazars under the leadership of Dukak, the father of Seljuk. This event occurred in a very strange way, as Dukak was an ally of the Khazar Khagan. Hagan of Khazaria once intended to punish one Turkic tribe, which was not guilty of anything. Dukak having learned about it came to rage, caught up with the Khagan on the road and spoke sharply in his face. Angry Khazarian Hagan of Khazaria struck Dukak with a saber, on what the Guz ruler raked the Khazar king on the head with a stick, and knocked him off his horse. On this another Khazar nobleman ordered to seize Dukak. After that Dukak fled and founded his state. From this moment, the Guzes and Khazars began their long feud.
From the document called Cambridge anonymus it is known, that at the time of board of Khazar Hagan Veniamin, instigated by Byzantium Guzes have attacked Khazaria and have inflicted to it serious blow.
Battle of the troops of Svyatoslav Igorevich with the troops of the Khazar Hagan. Photo from free sources in the Internet.
Also Emperor Byzantine Constantine Porphyrogenitus noted that the Guzes were allies of Byzantium against the Khazar Khaganate. Khazar state has experienced by this time wars with Arabian Caliphate, and also civil war of the beginning of IX century that has led this country to system crisis.
From Arab chronicle sources we know that the fall of Khazaria was preceded by two important factors: the raids of Turkic tribes (Kipchaks, Pechenegs and Guzes) and the devastating campaign of Svyatoslav to Khazaria.
Khazar coin, the so-called “Moses Coin”, from the hoard of spills in the Gotland Museum. Photo from free sources in the Internet.
In the letter of Khazar Hagan Joseph to Hasday ibn Shaprut from 960 it is noted, that Khazars lead with Russ fight. During this war Russ have been subdued some Khazar lands. At Prince Svyatoslav Igorevich campaigns against Khazaria have been realized, and then the city Sarkel (White Vezha) has been grasped. Prince Svyatoslav in 965 has realized the most famous campaign against Khazaria. Russ then capitals of Khazaria Itil and Semender have been grasped.
Khazarian fortress Sarkel (Belaya Vezha, Russia). Aerial photo from excavations, carried out by M. I. Artamanov in 1930th years.
After this campaign Russ Pechenegs and Guzes carried out attacks in 965 — 969 years, which led Khazaria in full decline. Absolutely helpless Khazars have addressed for the help to the state Khorezm. Khorezmians agreed to help the Khazars, but in return they required them to accept Islam. After that Khazaria became Islamic. The medieval Arab geographer Shamsuddin al-Muqaddasi wrote that: “The inhabitants of the city of the Khazars…returned and are no longer Jews but Muslims”.
In 985 on Khazar Khaganate Prince Vladimir Svyatoslavovich has realized also a campaign. After some time weakened by great upheavals in the X century Khazaria as a state finally ceases to exist.