Hungary History

QuickBooker.com has attempted a small capsule of Hungary history to enable visitors to the country to get an overview of the country on their tour of the country. It is but a selective account of the history of Hungary as it would not be possible to outline about eleven-hundred years of history in one page. However, it is factually correct.

A Brief on Hungary History

The history of Hungary can safely be said to be the history of a confederation of seven nomadic tribes in the closing years of the 9th century. Around a few hundred thousand people comprising these tribes crossed into the Carpathian Basin from the east. As the area was sparsely populated and was conducive to their traditional role of an agricultural lifestyle, they decided to make it their home. The history of the Carpathian Basin can be said to have begun from this time when these people marked their entry into the region. Generally, it can be safely assumed that the influx of other races into the region did not have nay effect or bearing on the events subsequently.

Early History
The belief was that the early nomads, who occupied the region as early as the 5th century being the descendents of the Huns, were given the title of ‘Hungari’. In a short time the entire Carpathian Basin came to be known as ‘Hungaria’. From here we can conclude that the words ‘Hungary’ and ‘Hungarian’ came into being. In Arabic they were referred to as ‘majjar’ or ‘madjar’ which shows they already called themselves ‘magyar’ which was an offshoot term for ‘Megyer’, which was also the name of one the early tribes which had been successful in exercising its supremacy over the other tribes. The seven tribes each traced their origin to a common ancestor. The attribute or feature which distinguished them from the other people who settled in Europe around that time was mostly Germanic or Slavonic speakers while the Hungarians had a touch of Finno-Ugric. Their language was note able for influences of Turkey and Iran. It was this influence which also contributed to its distinctive outlook, folk-lore and behavior.

Later History
The geographic location can be said to have dominated the people’s history to quite an extent. The crescent of the Carpathian Mountains was instrumental in protecting them from incursions from the north, east as well as the south-east. In recent times only the Russian army has managed this feat in 1849 and that too with the assistance of the Austrians. The west and the south however provide an easy entry from along the Danube. This has historically been the area from where Hungary has always had to face possible threats of influx.

12th Century Onwards
Hungary had been warding off attempts from Byzantium in the south and the Holy Roman Empire in the west. This was almost up until 1204. In spite of meddling by them, Hungary did well.  However, from here onwards to up until 1400, Hungary managed to see some peaceful quiet time with no threat from either direction. There was some slight damage from a Mongol attack (1241-42). Apart from this attack, there were some constant bouts of internal dissension around the 13th century. But, all this could not stop Hungary from witnessing a golden-age of well being and a standing of international repute.

The country faced threat in the 15th century from the south from ‘The Ottoman Turks’ who were hell bent on conquering in the name of Islam. Though Byzantium could not ward of their conquest, Hungary managed to fend off this threat without much mishap.  In the 16th century, Hungary faced a catastrophic turning point. The power of the Turks occupied about one third of the fertile land of central Hungary. It was only about the fag end of the 17th century that the Turks were pushed back from Hungary into the Balkans.
Thus we see that the history of Hungary has been a mix of many sub-plots which were dictated by the area’s geographic position. The colorful history got aligned somewhere to the main plot.