Originally Posted by
Farwest
This discussion started in another thread, so I've moved it to a new to avoid off-topic posting - wudang.
Persians were like Ottomans, which was a multi-national empire. There were lots of things in the antique Persian culture, which were embedded from ancient Turkic culture (like some inscriptions, symbols, weapon technology, horse tactics and so on).
It can be said, that is because of Turkish horsemen's presence in the Sasanid, Parthian, Persian armies as mercenary cavalries, according to the Roman/Latin sources.
Nevertheless, Turkish armies, especially their cavalry had been in the service of these Persian Empires, in addition, we also see them as Vardariotai and Skythikon or "some local mercenaries" in the Byzantine Empire army roster (also in the MTW). These and lots of other Turkic tribes spread throughout the Eastern Anatolia and Persia, in the period of Persian Empire. These tribes gave their protection money to the local or central rulers, and in return they could travel the whole Empire lands freely with their flock and valuables, with their gained rights by protection money or by military service.
For Ghurids, yes, they were Turkic origined country. Apart from their leadership class (mostly Turkish), their armies usually formed with Turkish infantry and cavalry, but the army were largely supported with locals.