Yusuf Balasaghuni

Yusuf Balasaguni
Monument of Joseph of Balasagun
Born	Yusuf (Joseph) 1021 Balasagun
Died	1085 Kashgar
Nationality	Uyghur
Other names	Khass Hajib (title)
Occupation	Philosopher, Vizier, Statesman
Known for	Kutadgu Bilig

Yusuf Khass Hajib Balasaguni (Arabic: يوسف خاصّ حاجب‎‎; Yūsuf Khāṣṣ Ḥājib Balasağuni; Uyghur: يۈسۈپ خاس ھاجىپ‎; Kyrgyz: Жусуп Баласагын) was an 11th-century Central Asian Turkic poet, statesman, vizier, and philosopher from the city of Balasaghun, the capital of the Kara-Khanid Khanate in modern-day Kyrgyzstan. He wrote the Kutadgu Bilig and most of what is known about him comes from his own writings in this work. He is also referred to as Yūsuf Balasaguni derived from his city of origin.

Balasagun was located at the Burana archaeological site near the present-day city of Tokmok in Northern Kyrgyzstan. Yusuf Khas Hajib was about 50 years old when he completed the Kutadgu Bilig. After presenting the completed work to the prince of Kashgar he was awarded the title Khāṣṣ Ḥājib, an honorific similar to "Privy Chamberlain" or "Chancellor".