[BLANK-1] were а nоmаdic grоup оf Euroаsian Steppe People who were founded around 552 and were the first Inner Asian people to found large states and leave a written record. They never united, however, and often fought against one another, rarely founding a lasting state. They came into frequent conflict with both Tang China and the Byzantine Empire. By the tenth century, most members of this group converted to Islam, however, they did not adopt Arabic trappings. They maintained their own distinct culture, language, customs, and identity distinct from Arab Muslims.