The historical depth of the Turkic world has been shaped not only by independent states but also by autonomous Turkic republics that emerged in different periods. Particularly during the 20th century, under the Soviet Union, Turkic communities maintained their existence within autonomous republics and autonomous regions in order to preserve their identities, languages, and cultural heritage. Although these entities did not possess full state sovereignty, the political and administrative authorities granted to them at the constitutional level enabled the public preservation of Turkic identity.

These republics ensured the continued visibility of Turkic communities on the historical stage in many fields, ranging from education and language to cultural production and local governance. While the model of autonomy was sometimes implemented with limited authority, it nevertheless represented a determination within the Turkic world to survive without fragmentation. A significant portion of the historical foundation behind today’s independent Turkic states is rooted in the cultural and political legacy carried by these autonomous republics.