Afrasiyab (legendary king of Turan)

Afrasiyab is the legendary king of the Turanians in Iranian tradition, the enemy of Kay Khusraw, who was killed by him. Islamic authors made him a Turk, and Turkish dynasties claimed descent from him.

The Encyclopaedia of Islam (2nd ed.), signed H. A. R. Gibb, describes Afrasiyab as the legendary king of the Turanians according to Iranian tradition, in the Avesta (especially the Yashts) an adversary of Kavi Haosrava (Kay Khusraw), who treacherously murdered Kavi Haosrava's father Syavarshan (Siyawush). He may have been originally a historical chief of the Turanian tribes, who were probably themselves of Iranian race. In the Shahnama and the Islamic authors, who drew on the Khwadaynamak, he fought Manushchihr, and after Siyawush's murder Kay Khusraw fought him in a long war. Afrasiyab fled to Adharbayjan, was captured, and was killed by Kay Khusraw with his own hands. The Turanians were identified with the Turks, and Turkish dynasties such as the Qarakhanids and the Saljuqs claimed descent from him. ¹