The Chagatai language is an extinct Turkic language spoken in Central Asia.

It was developed as a sophisticated written language using the Arabic alphabet. It was heavily influenced by Arabic and Persian. It served as a lingua franca in Central Asia.

The USSR replaced the Chagatai language with discrete languages based on the vernaculars to separate Turkic peoples.

Famous Chagatai literature: Baburnama

External links

• Russian imperial policies in Central Asia by H.B.Paksoy