Fundamental principles of state and management in Kutadgu Bilig, a Turkish political treatise

Abstract

One of the most fundamental written works of the history of Turkish culture, Kutadgu Bilig, was written by Yusuf Has Hacib in eleventh century (in 1070) and submitted to Bugra Han, the emperor of Karahanli{dotless} State. Kutadgu Bilig made a considerable contribution toward the creation of the Turkish state tradition. It is written in the form of a political treatise. It includes distinct descriptions on the objectives of the state, how the state should be managed, and what features the statesmen should have. Necessary fundamental principles are specified for the states to be ruled as an equitable administration. Written almost ten centuries ago, Kutadgu Bilig provides the means for the establishment of an equitable, peaceful, and prosperous state administration. The significance of the understanding of state administration as provided under Kutadgu Bilig is particularly important, considering the efforts being made in the contemporary era for the same objective. © 2011 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.