Surviving Tocharia and its impact on the Uighurs and Tang Turks

Main PoD:
Between middle to late 6th century and early 7th century.

Scenario:
The city-states of Tarim Basin joined forces to fight the invading Tang military, which were mostly composed of Turks. Eventually, they defeated in a battle near Hami. The city-states were formally unified as one Tocharian nation. Tocharia, in turn, played a significant role in the Silk Road.

Question/s:
What would happen to the Turks who served in the Tang military? Where would they set up their garrisons? What would be its impacts on the Uighurs? Where would they settle?
 
Wasn't drying of Tarim Basin main reason for declining of Tochar Culture?

But if Tochars somehow could survive, hard to say what would be impact. This might cause big changes.
 

GdwnsnHo

Banned
Hmm, my first instinct is that you would have a state that regularly pays tribute to China, and possibly Persia/Steppe Tribes.

Not too difficult if they control a slice of the trade.

The only big issue, is how to maintain any growth. Water is scarce, so they'll need to increase their water sources, the only way I can see them doing that is invading northwards. Taking Issyk Kul, and maybe going as far as Lake Balqash.

Either that or somehow tap into the aquifer in the area, which may not bode well in the long term.

Sadly, the Tarim basin is really a horrible place for a civilization to prosper.

Though back to the question at hand

The turks - frankly they may scatter, I can't imagine the Tang giving them homes, or if they do, they'll disappear as a culture rapidly.

The Uighers, hell, sadly I don't know enough about the area - perhaps they'd try and invade one of the valleys in Central Asia? If they just want an area to settle, they may be given permission by Tocharia to settle the high valleys in exchange for warriors in battle. Not a great deal, but there you go.
 
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