Altun Bishik

Who is Altun Bishik?

Altun Bishik is a mythological figure through whom the Khanate of Kokand claimed descent from the Timurid dynasty.

The Khans of Kokand wished to legitimize their rule of the khanate through a connection with the Timurid dynasty. From the time of the last Timurids to that of the first Khans of Kokand there was a period of more than two hundred years. Faced with this situation, the Khans connected their genealogy with Babur through a legendary figure, “Altun Bishik”. In the legend, a baby of Babur's family was left in a bishik when Babur fled prosecution, making for the limits of Transoxiana. The child was named Altun Bishik, after its imperial cradle, and in the legend he ostensibly lived from 918 AH/1512 CE – 952 AH/1545 CE. Even in historical sources, he has appeared as a historic figure. In the legend of this baby began the Khans of Kokand. The legend in various versions has resulted in manuscripts on Kokand historical writings, since the beginning of the 19th century. Despite it, Altun Bishik and the legend connected with him are not the historical truth. Today Timur Can, is the only living male member of the former Khanate of Kokand Dynasty.