On the general stages of ethno-political history of Saka Haumavarga

In the beginning of the I Millennium BC on the territory of ancient Central Asia a special ethno-political union of nomadic people was formed, known in ancient Persian sources as the Saka haumavarga. They are most often referred to as Sakas, who worshiped or prepared the sacred drink of haoma. This article systematically investigates the process of formation and historical development of the ethno-political union of the Saka haumavarga as one of the most powerful associations of ancient nomads in Central Asia. Special attention is also paid to the issue of various features which formed this group of nomads. In addition, the aim of the study was to examine the influence of external factors on the integration of pastoral populations in isolated mountainous areas of Pamir-Alay as this phenomenon is poorly understood. The process of formation of ethno-political education of the Saka haumavarga was rather lengthy - supposedly having been completed at the turn of the 7th - 6th centuries BC. In the second half of the 6th century BC the Saka haumavarga are occupied by the Achaemenid Empire and forced to pay taxes and supply military contingents of the Persian kings. Around the turn of the 5th and 4th centuries BC they are freed of their subordination. After the conquest of Central Asia by Alexander the Great, they establish a variety of relations with the Hellenistic states. Despite cool relations with the Greco-Bactria, there is evidence of the presence of mercenaries from the Saka haumavarga within the troops of this Hellenistic kingdom. At the turn of the 3rd and 2nd centuries BC as a result of military activity of the Greco-Bactrian kings, a reduction of territory of this Saka haumavarga union commences its gradual decline. The final collapse of this ethno-political group occurs towards the end of the 2nd century BC, as small independent tribes of local nomads are known to be the only inhabitants of the Pamir-Alay territory at this point in time.