Mahmud al-Kashgari was an 11th-century Turkic scholar and linguist, best known for his work, the Diwan Lughat al-Turk. This dictionary and encyclopedia documented the Turkic languages and cultures, providing valuable insights into the lives and traditions of Turkic peoples during his time. Born in Kashgar, a city in present-day Xinjiang, China, al-Kashgari traveled extensively throughout the Islamic world to gather information. His contributions significantly influenced the study of Turkic languages and helped preserve the linguistic heritage of the Turkic peoples.