Uighurs

Uighurs (or Uigurs or Uygurs) are a group of people who live in northwestern China [mainly in Sinkiang (Xinjiang) Uygur Autonomous Region as the dominant ethnic group together with Chinese Han people], Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan. They were the oldest and most civilized Turkish speaking people living in Central Asia. After establishing a kingdom in 8th century, they gained a significant dominance on both China and other Turkic tribes. Being overrun by Kyrgyz and Mongol armies, they lost their independence about the ends of the 12th century and were annexed by several states, the last of which is China.