Western Turkic Khaganate

581–742 CE monarchical state

Western Turkic Khaganate

𐰆𐰣:𐰸:𐰉𐰆𐰑𐰣
On oq budun

581–742

625

WESTERN
TURKIC KHAGANATE

EASTERN
TURKIC KHAGANATE

SASANIAN
EMPIRE

CHAM-

Kyrgyzs

TOKHARA
YABGHUS

PUSHYABHUTIS

TANG
DYNASTY

BYZANTINE
EMPIRE

AVAR
KHAGANATE

Khitans

CHENLA

Paleo-Siberians

Tungus

GOGU-
RYEO

TUYUHUN

TIBETAN
EMPIRE

Greatest extent of the Western Turkic Khaganate c. 625, after the Battle of Bukhara (light brown), and their southern expansion as the Tokhara Yabghus and Turk Shahis (lighter brown)

Status| Khaganate (Nomadic empire)

* Administrative region of the First Turkic Khaganate (581–603)
* Independent empire (603–657)
* Vassal of the Tang dynasty (657–742)

Capital| Navekat (summer capital)
Suyab (principal capital)
Common languages| Sogdian (coinage, official)[1][2]
Old Turkic[3][4]
Religion

| Tengrism
Buddhism
Zurvanism[5]
Khagan of the Western Khaganate|

• 587–604

| Niri Qaghan
Yabgu of the Western Khaganate|

• 553–576

| Istämi

• 576–603

| Tardu
Historical era| Early Middle Ages
Area
630[6]| 3,500,000 km2 (1,400,000 sq mi)

Preceded by | Succeeded by

|

|  | Hephthalites

|

| First Turkic Khaganate
| Protectorate General to Pacify the West |

|

Turgesh |
Oghuz Yabgu State |
Khazar Khaganate |
Kangar union |
Tokhara Yabghus |
Second Turkic Khaganate |

The Western Turkic Khaganate (Chinese: 西突厥; pinyin: Xī Tūjué) or Onoq Khaganate (Old Turkic: 𐰆𐰣:𐰸:𐰉𐰆𐰑𐰣, romanized: On oq budun, lit. 'Ten arrow people')[7][8] was a Turkic khaganate in Eurasia, formed as a result of the wars in the beginning of the 7th century (593–603 CE) after the split of the First Turkic Khaganate (founded in the 6th century on the Mongolian Plateau by the Ashina clan), into a western and an eastern Khaganate.

The whole confederation was called Onoq, meaning "ten arrows". According to a Chinese source, the Western Turks were organized into ten divisions.[9]

The khaganate's capitals were Navekat (summer capital) and Suyab (principal capital), both situated in the Chui River valley of Kyrgyzstan, to the east of Bishkek. Tong Yabgu's summer capital was near Tashkent and his winter capital Suyab.

The Western Turkic Khaganate was subjugated by the Tang dynasty in 657 and continued as its vassal, until it finally collapsed in 742. To the west, the breakup of the Western Turkic Khaganate led to the rise of the Turkic Khazar Khaganate (c. 650–969).

## History

[edit]

See also: Timeline of the Göktürks

The first Turkic Khaganate was founded by Bumin in 552 on the Mongolian Plateau and quickly spread west toward the Caspian Sea. Within 35 years the western half and the Eastern Turkic Khaganate were independent. The Western Khaganate reached its peak under Tong Yabghu Qaghan (618–630). After Tong's murder there were conflicts between the Dulu and Nushibi factions and many short-lived Khagans, and some territory was lost. From 642 onward the expanding Tang dynasty began to interfere. The Tang destroyed the Khaganate in 657–659.

### Western expansion (552–575 CE)

[edit]

Western Turk officers, one of them labeled as coming from Argi (Karashahr in modern Xinjiang), attending the reception of ambassadors by king Varkhuman of Samarkand. Afrasiab murals, 7th century CE.[10] The Turks had a Mongoloid appearance.[11]

The Gokturks and Mongols were the only two empires to rule both the eastern and central steppe. The Gokturks were the first steppe empire to be in contact with three great urban civilizations: Byzantium, Persia and China. Their expansion west from modern-day Mongolia is poorly documented. Lev Gumilyov[12] gives the following. Bumin gave the west to his younger brother Istami (553–75). The campaign probably began in the spring of 554 and apparently met little resistance. They took Semirechye and by 555 had reached the Aral Sea, probably on a line from the lower Oxus, across the Jaxartes, north of Tashkent to the western tip of the Tian Shan. They drove before them various peoples: Xionites, Uar, Oghurs and others.[13] These seem to have merged into the Avars whom the Gokturks drove across the Volga River in 558, and who crossed the western steppe and reached Hungary by 567. The Turks then turned southeast.

Early Turkic Khaganates

* First Turkic Khaganate 552–603
* Eastern Turkic Khaganate 581–645
* Western Turkic Khaganate 581–742
* Khazar Khaganate 650–969
* Second Turkic Khaganate 682–744
* Türgesh Khaganate 699–766
* Uyghur Khaganate 744–840
* Karluk Yabghu State 756–840
* Oghuz Yabgu State 766–1055
* Kara-Khanid Khanate 840–1212
* Yenisei Kyrgyz Khaganate 840–1207
* Cuman–Kipchak confederation c.950–1241
* Ghaznavid Empire 977–1186
* Seljuk Empire 1037–1194

* v
* t
* e

At this time the Hephthalites held the Tarim Basin , Fergana, Sogdia, Bactria and Merv, with the Persians at approximately their present border. Khosrow I made peace with the Byzantines and turned on the Hephthalites. Fighting started in 560 [14] The Persians won a victory in 562, and the Turks took Tashkent. In 565, the Hephthalites were defeated at Qarshi and withdrew to Bactria, where fragments of this people remained until the Arab conquest. The Turks demanded the tribute formerly paid to the Hephthalites and when this was refused, they crossed the Oxus, but thought better of it and withdrew. In 571 a border was drawn along the Oxus,[15] the Persians expanding east to Afghanistan, and the Turks gaining the Sogdian merchant cities and their control of the Silk Road.

Around 567–576 the Turks took the area between the Caspian and Black Seas. In 568 they took part of Bactria.

### Late period (575–630 CE)

[edit]

Istami was followed by his son Tardush (575–603). About 581 he intervened in the eastern Göktürk civil war. In 588/89 the Turks were defeated by Persians near Herat in the First Perso-Turkic War. In 599–603 he gained the eastern half of the Khaganate, but after his death the two halves were definitely split. Heshana Khagan (603–611) was driven out of Dzungaria and then defeated by Sheguy (610–617), Tardush's grandson, who conquered the Altai, reconquered Tashkent and raided Ishfahan.

#### Yabghus of Tokharistan and Turk Shahis

[edit]

Main articles: Tokhara Yabghus and Turk Shahis

An early Turk Shahi ruler named Sri Ranasrikari "The Lord who brings excellence through war" (Brahmi script). In this realistic portrait, he wears the Turkic double-lapel caftan. Late 7th to early 8th century CE.[16][17][18]

His brother Tong Yabghu Qaghan (618–630) ruled from the Tarim basin to the Caspian Sea, and met Xuanzang.[citation needed] He sent men to fight the Persians south of the Caucasus, and also sent his son Tardush Shad to fight in Afghanistan, where he established the Yabghus of Tokharistan, who themselves projected the Turk Shahis as far east as India.

In the year of Tong's death the Tang dynasty defeated and annexed the Eastern Khaganate. He was murdered by his uncle Külüg Sibir (630) with Duolu support. The Nushibi put Tong's son Sy Yabgu (631–33) on the throne. However, Nushibi quickly rebelled against Sy and enthroned Ashina Nishu as Duolu Khan (633–34), followed by his brother Ishbara Tolis (634–38). There was a Dulu-Nushibi conflict and Yukuk Shad (638–42), son of the final eastern Khagan, was brought in.

The factions quarreled and the Nushibi and Emperor Taizong of Tang enthroned Irbis Seguy (642–51). The Tang dynasty demanded part of the Tarim Basin and then seized part of it until the war ended with Taizong's death. Irbis was overthrown by (Ashina Helu) Ishbara Qaghan (651–58) who, after about six years of war, was defeated at Battle of Irtysh River and captured by the Tang. After this there were several puppet Khagans. In 679–719 the old Gokturk capital of Suyab was one of the Four Garrisons of Anxi. The Tang dynasty exercised control over the area until the time of An Lushan's rebellion (756).

### Tang campaigns against the Western Turks (640–657 CE)

[edit]

◁  ▷

660

Map of the Tang Empire and Central Asian Protectorates circa 660 CE.[19] It was through the conquest of the Western Turks that the Tang dynasty was able to reach its maximum extent, although for just a few years.[20]

Main article: Tang campaigns against the Western Turks

The Tang campaigns against the Western Turks, were a series of military campaigns conducted during the Tang dynasty against the Western Turkic Khaganate in the 7th century CE. Early military conflicts were a result of the Tang interventions in the rivalry between the Western and Eastern Turks in order to weaken both. Under Emperor Taizong, campaigns were dispatched in the Western Regions against Gaochang in 640, Karasahr in 644 and 648, and Kucha in 648.

The wars against the Western Turks continued under Emperor Gaozong, and the khaganate was annexed after General Su Dingfang's defeat of Qaghan Ashina Helu in 657.

### Tang protectorate (657–742 CE)

[edit]

The Western Turks attempted to capture the Tarim Basin in 670 and 677 but were repelled by the Tang. In 679, the Tang general Pei Xingjian led an army as far as Tokharistan, as he was also escorting back to Persia the last Sasanian pretender to the throne, Narsieh. Pei Xingjian fought successfully against an invasion of Anxi led by Western Turkic Khan Ashina Duzhi, and numerous minor Turkic chieftains in the region then pledged their loyalty to the Tang dynasty. Meanwhile, general Pei Xingjian lost interest in reinstalling the Persian King and left Narsieh in the Anxi Protectorate alone, although Narsieh was still able to maintain his many servants and a high quality of life, and would continue on to fight against the Muslim Arabs for twenty years. Upon returning to Tang, Pei was appointed the minister of rituals and Great general of the right flank guards.[21]

Statue of a Western Turk Khagan at the Chinese court

Front, with double-parked tunic

Back, with long braids

Statue of a Western Turk Khagan among the statues of "61 foreign officials" at the Qianling Mausoleum, circa 705 CE.[22]

In 679, Turkic chieftain Ashide Wenfu rebelled. Protectorate general Xiao Siye, a noble from Lanling Commandery, was defeated by Ashide. Pei then took over the command from Xiao and decisively won a battle against the Turks in an ambush. Ashide fled. Not long after the first defeat, Ashide Wenfu gathered his troops and united them with the troops of another chieftain Ashina Funian. Pei saw the distrust and suspicions between the two chieftains and exploited this weakness by driving a wedge between them. Eventually, Ashina Funian murdered Ashide Wenfu out of the fear of Tang's revenge against him. When Funian was brought to the Tang court, he was executed regardless of the fact that he surrendered his troops. Pei had promised Ashina that he would not be put to death, however, the court did not respect Pei's promise. Due to this incident, Pei retired.[23] Ashina's death, according to New Book of Tang, was a scheme against Pei Xingjian by his very own clansman Pei Yan who was jealous about his victories in the West.

In 682, Pei was again put in charge of pacifying yet another Turkic rebellion against the Tang dynasty. However, he died of old age before the troops were sent out. The imperial court rewarded him the posthumous name Xian (獻) which means "Dedication", as well as the supreme military honorary title Taiwei (太尉).

The areas controlled by the Tang dynasty came under the dynasty's cultural influences and the Turkic influence of the ethnically Turkic Tang soldiers stationed in the region. Indo-European prevalence in Central Asia declined as the expeditions accelerated Turkic migration into what is now Xinjiang. By the end of the 657 campaigns, the Tang had reached its largest extent. The Turks, Tibetans, Muslim Arabs and the Tang competed for control over Central Asia until the collapse of the Tang in the 10th century.

The Second Turkic Empire defeated the fragmented Western Turks in 712 and absorbed the tribes into the new empire.

## Relations with the Persians and Byzantines

[edit]

Turkic officers during an audience with king Varkhuman of Samarkand. 648-651 CE, Afrasiyab murals, Samarkand.[24] A Turkic nobleman with long plaited hair, from Tashkent.[25] Coin of the Turkic dynasties of Chach. Circa 605–630 CE.[26]

During the late 6th century, the Turks consolidated their geopolitical position in Central Asia, as the lynchpin in trade between East Asia and Western Asia – in which Persia and Byzantium were the dominant powers.[27] For much of this period, Istämi ruled the Khaganate from a winter camp near Karashar. A timeline of the westward expansion of the Turks under Istämi might be reconstructed as follows:

* 552 Mongolia;
* 555 Aral Sea (probably);
* 558 Volga River (by defeating the Avars);
* 557–565 in alliance with the Persians, the Turks crushed the Hephthalites, after which a Turco-Persian border along the Oxus lasted several decades; *564 Tashkent; 567–571 the North Caucasus;
* 569–571 Turks at war with Persia;
* 576 major incursion into the Black Sea area, including Crimea.

A first Turk legation (or embassy) to reach Constantinople visited Justin II in 563. A Sogdian merchant named Maniakh [de] led a Turco-Sogdian legation to Constantinople in 568, pursuing trade and an alliance against the Avars and Persians. A Byzantine official named Zemarchus accompanied Maniakh on his return journey; and later left a pioneering account of the Turks. Maniakh now proposed to bypass the Persians and re-open a direct route north of the Caspian Sea. If trade on this route later increased (uncertain) it would have benefited Khorezm and the Black Sea cities and might have had something to do with the later rise of the Khazars and Rus' people.

The Turks' control of the Sogdian merchant cities along the Oxus from the late 6th century on gave the Western Turks substantive control of the central part of the Silk Road. A Chinese general complained that the:

> "Turks themselves are simple-minded and short-sighted and dissention can easily be roused among them. Unfortunately, many Sogdians live among them who are cunning and insidious; they teach and instruct the Turks."

Soldier in lamellar armour and helmet, as a Buddhist devotee, from Tumshuq, at the time of the Western Turkic Khaganate, 6th-7th century CE.[28]

Denis Sinor saw the Byzantine alliance as a Sogdian scheme to benefit themselves at the expense of the Turks. A related fact is that the Eastern Turks extracted a large amount of silk as booty from the Chinese, which had to be marketed westward. Before 568, Maniakh, a leading merchant, visited the Sassanian Persian court, in a bid to open up trade; this proposal was refused, apparently because the Persians wanted to restrict trade by and with the Byzantines. The members of a second Turk legation to Persia were reportedly[who?] poisoned. From 569, the Turks and Persia were at war, until the Turks were defeated near Merv; hostilities ceased in 571.

In 576, Valentinus led a Byzantine mission to a Turxanthos whose camp was west of the Caspian. Valentinus wanted action against the Persians and Turxanthos complained that Byzantium was harboring the Avars. Valentinus then went east to meet Tardu. What caused this hostility is not clear. In 576–77 a Turk general called Bokhan and an Utigur called Anagai captured the Crimean Byzantine town of Panticapaeum and failed at a siege of Chersonesus. This marks the westernmost extent of Turk power.

A major incursion into Bactria by the Turks, in 588–589, was defeated by the Sasanians. The Turk-Byzantine alliance was revived in the 620s during the last great Byzantine-Persian war before the Arab conquests. In 627 Tong Yabghu Qaghan sent out his nephew Böri Shad. The Turks stormed the great fortress of Derbent on the Caspian coast, entered Azerbaijan and Georgia, did a good bit of looting and met Heraclius who was besieging Tiflis. When the siege dragged on, the Turks left, and Heraclius went south and won a great victory over the Persians. The Turks returned, captured Tiflis and massacred the garrison. On behalf of the Byzantines, a Turk general named Chorpan Tarkhan then conquered most of Armenia.

## The Onoq or ten tribes

[edit]

Tang dynasty military campaigns against the Western Turks Federal symbol of the Western Turks circa 650 CE. Eleven poles symbolizing the five Dulu tribes, the five Nushibi tribes, with the central pole symbolizing the rulership of a Yabghu-Qaghan. Afrasiab murals.[29]

For the origin of the Onoq two contradicting accounts are given:[30][31]

> In the beginning [after 552], Shidianmi [Istämi] followed the Shanyu [Qaghan] and commanded the ten great chiefs. Together with their 100,000 soldiers, he marched to the Western Regions and subdued the barbarian statelets. There he declared himself as qaghan, under the title of ten tribes, and ruled them [the western barbarians] for generations.

> — Tongdian, 193 and Jiu Tangshu, 194

> Soon [after 635], Dielishi Kehan [of the Western Göktürks] divided his state into ten parts, and each was headed by one man, together they made up the ten shads (設 she). Every shad is given an arrow by him, thus they were known as the ten arrows. He also divided the ten arrows into two factions, each consisted of five arrows. The left (east) faction consisted of five Duoliu tribes, headed by five churs (啜 chuo) separately. The right [west] faction consisted of five Nushibi tribes, headed by five irkins (俟斤 sijin) separately. Each took command of one arrow and called themselves the ten arrows. Thereafter, each arrow was also known as one tribe, and the great arrow head as the great chief. The five Duolu tribes inhabited to east of Suiye [water] (Chu River), and the five Nushibi tribes to the west of it. Since then, they called themselves as the ten tribes.

> — Tongdian, 193 and Jiu Tangshu, 194

The first statement dates their origin back to the beginning of the First Turkic Qaghanate with Istämi, younger brother of Tumen (Bumen), who had brought with him the ten tribes, probably from the Eastern Qaghanate in Mongolia and travelled west to expand the Qaghanate. The exact date for the event was not recorded, and the shanyu here referred to might be Muhan Khan.

The second statement attributes it to Dielishi, who took over the throne in 635 and began to strengthen the state by further affirming the initial ten tribes and two tribal wings, in contrast with the rotation of rule between the Tumen (through Apa) and Istämi (through Tardu) lineages in the Western Qaghanate. Thereafter, the name "ten tribes" (十姓) became a shortened address for the Western Turks in Chinese records. Those divisions did not include the five[32][33][34][35] major tribes, who were active further east of the ten tribes.[36][37]

The earlier tribes consisted of eight primary tribes ruled by eight chiefs-in-command: the five[38] Duolu (咄陆) tribes, and the three[39] Nushibi (弩失毕) tribes. Syriac and Greek sources (John of Ephesus, Menander Protector) also confirmed that initially, the Western Turkic Khaganate were divided into eight tribes during Istämi's lifetime and at his death.[40]

The ruling elites were divided into two groups and the relationship between the two groups were tense: the more aristocratic Duolu shads held the title churs,[41] and the lower-ranking Nushibi in west were probably initially made up of Tiele conscripts and their shads held the title irkins.[42][43][44] During the reformation the more powerful Nushibi tribes such as A-Xijie and Geshu were sub-divided into two tribal groups with a greater and lesser title under a fixed tribal name, resulting in the attested On Oq & 十箭 shíjiàn "ten arrows").

## Primary Sources

[edit]

### Afrasiab murals (7th century CE)

[edit]

Western Turk attendants and officers, all recognizable by their long plaits, at the court of Samarkand. Afrasiab murals, 7th century CE.[10][45] Seated Turkic attendants, at the court of Samarkand. Afrasiab murals, 7th century CE.[46]

Main article: Afrasiab painting

Turkic delegates appear together with Chinese envoys in the 7th century CE murals of Afrasiab in Samarkand. The Chinese delegates (left in the mural) form an embassy to the king of Samarkand, carrying silk and a string of silkworm cocoons. The Turkic delegates (right in the mural), are recognizable by their long plaits.[10] They do not carry presents, as they are simply escorting the Chinese envoys.[10]

The scenes depicted in the Afrasiyab murals may have been painted in 648–651 CE, as the Western Turkic Khaganate was in its last days, before its fall in 657 CE, and the Han Dynasty was increasing its territory in Central Asia.[24][47] They are recognizable by their long plaits.[10][45][48][49]

#### Ethnic and sartorial characteristics

[edit]

In the mural, the Western Turks are ethnic Turks, Nushibis, rather than Turkicized Sogdians, as suggested by the marked East Asian features and faces without beards.[50] They are the most numerous ethnic group in the mural, and are not ambassadors, but rather military attendants.[50] Their depiction offers a unique glimpse into the clothing of the Turks of the 6–7th century CE.[50] They typically wear three or five long plaits, often gathered together into a one single long plait.[50] They have ankle-length monochromic sleeved coats with two lapels.[50] This fashion for the collar is first seen in Khotan near Turfan, a traditional Turkic land, in the 2nd–4th century CE.[50] They have low black sharp-nosed boots. They wear gold bracelets with lapis lazuli or pearls.[50] On Western Turkic coins, "the faces of the governor and governess are clearly mongoloid (a roundish face, narrow eyes), and the portrait have definite old Türk features (long hair, absence of headdress of the governor, a tricorn headdress of the governess)".[51]

### Orkhon Inscriptions

[edit]

See also: Orkhon inscriptions

Bilge Khagan inscription, main side, 16:

> powerful enemies kneel and proud ones to bow. The Turgesh kagan (and his people) was our Turk. Because of their unawareness and foolishness, for their being traitorous, their kagan had died; his buyruqs and lords, had died too. The On-Oq people suffered a great deal. In order the land (lit.: 'earth and water'), which was ruled by our ancestors, not to be left without a ruler, we organized Az people and put them into the order... was Barys bek.[8]

Bilge Khagan inscription, 1st side, 1:

> I, Tengri- llike and Tengri born Bilge kagan Turkic. Hear my words. When my father, Bilge kagan Turkic, ruled, you, supreme Turk beks, lower Tardush beks, Shadapyt beks led by Kul Chur, the rest Tyules beks, Apa Tarkhan. Led by Shadapyt beks, Bairuks. Tamgan Tarkhan, Tonyukuk, Boila Baga Tarkhan, Buyruqs…, Inner Buyruqs, led by Sebek Kul Erkin, all Buyruq beks! My father.

Bilge Khagan inscription, 2nd side: 15:

> From sons of Ten Arrows to wives, see this. Erected stone inscriptions…[8]

### Tonyukuk inscription

[edit]

See also: Bain Tsokto inscriptions

A Turk (center) mourning the Buddha, Maya Cave (Cave 224), Kizil Caves.[52][53][54] He is cutting his forehead with a knife, a practice of self-mutilation also known among the Scythians.[55]

Tonyukuk inscription, main side, 19:[56]

> I reached my army to Shantung towns and the seas. Twenty three town were destroyed. All of them had left on Usyn-bundatu land.(?). Tabgaches’ kagan (China) was our enemy. The kagan of "Ten Arrows" was our enemy.

Tonyukuk inscription, main side, 30:[56]

> ... he might kill us". "So the Turkic kagan started out" – he said. "All Ten Arrows people started out" – he said. – "(among them) there is also Tabgaches' (China) army". Having heard these words my kagan said: "I will be a kagan .."

Tonyukuk inscription, main side, 33:[56]

> Three messengers came, their words were similar: "One kagan with his army went on campaign. The army of Ten Arrows people went on campaign too. They told that they would gather in the step of Yarysh". Having heard these words I told them the kagan. What to do?! With the reply (from khan)

Tonyukuk inscription, main side, 42–43:[56]

> Killed there. We took to prison about fifty persons. That night we sent (messengers) to every nation. Having heard these words, beks and people of Ten Arrows all came and subdued. When I was settling down and gathering the coming beks and people a few people ran away. I led to campaign the army of Ten Arrows people.

## Rulers of the Western Turkic Khaganate

[edit]

### Yabgus during the United Empire (553–603)

[edit]

Yabgu  | reign  | father,
grandfather  | Regnal name

(Chinese reading)

| Personal name

(Chinese reading)

|
|
|
|

Istämi | 553–576  | Ashina Tuwu,
Ashina  | Shìdiǎn mì Kèhán  | 室點密
Shìdiǎnmì
Tardu | 576–603  | Istämi,
Ashina Tuwu | Dátóu Kèhán  | 玷厥
Dianjue

### Khagans during the independent Western Khaganate (603–658)

[edit]

Kaghan  | reign  | father,
grandfather  | Regnal name

(Chinese reading)

| Personal name

(Chinese reading)

|
|
|
|

Niri Qaghan | –  | Yangsu Tegin,
Muqan Qaghan | Nílì Kèhán  | 向氏
Xiàngshì
Heshana Khagan | 604–611  | Niri Qaghan
Yansu Tegin  | Chùluó Kèhán  | 達曼
Daman
Sheguy | 611–618  | Tulu Tegin,
Tardu | Shèguì Kèhán  | 射匮
Shèguì
Tong Yabghu Qaghan | 618–628  | Tulu Tegin,
Tardu | Tǒng yèhù Kèhán  | 統葉
Tǒng yèhù
Külüg Sibir | 628–630  | Tardu,
Istämi | Qūlìqí pí Kèhán  | 莫贺咄
Mòhèduō
Sy Yabghu Khagan | 631–632  | Tong Yabgu Qaghan,
Tulu Tegin  | Yǐpí (shā)bōluō sìyèhù Kèhán  | 阿史那咥力
Āshǐnà xilì
Duolu Qaghan | 633–634  | Bagha Shad,
unknown  | Duōlù Kèhán  | 阿史那泥孰
Āshǐnà Níshú
Ishbara Tolis | 634–639  | Bagha Shad,
unknown  | Shābōluō Kèhán  | 阿史那咥力
Āshǐnà Tóng
Yukuk Shad | 639–642  | Illig Qaghan,
Yami Qaghan | Yǐpí duōlù Kèhán  | 阿史那欲谷
Āshǐnà Yùgǔ
Irbis Seguy | 642–650  | El Kulug Shad,
Ishbara Tolis | Yǐpí shèkuì Kèhán  | 阿史那莫賀咄
Āshǐnà Mòhèduō
Ashina Helu | 651–658  | Böri Shad,
unknown  | Shābōluō Kèhán  | 阿史那賀魯
Āshǐnà Hèlǔ

Claimants

* El Kulug Shad 639–640 (Nushibi-chief)
* Irbis Ishbara Yabgu Qaghan 640–641 (Nushibi-chief)

Later claimants

* Ashina Duzhi 676–679 (allied with Tibetan Empire)
* Ashina Tuizi 693–700 (allied with Tibetan Empire)

### Khagans under Tang suzerainty (657–742)

[edit]

History of the Turkic peoples pre–14th century

Court of Seljuk ruler Tughril III, circa 1200 CE.

Turkic peoples

|  Onogurs|

|

Oghuz Turks|
Saragurs|
Utigurs|
Bulgars|
Sabir|
Kutrigurs|
Karluks|
Kimek|
Kipchaks|
Cherniye Klobuki|
Uyghurs|
Tatars|
Kumyks|
Yakuts|
Dolgans|
Krymchaks|
Crimean Karaites|

Turkic Languages

|  Turkish|

|

Azerbaijani|
Uzbek|
Kazakh|
Uyghur|
Turkmen|
Tatar|
Kyrgyz|
Bashkir|
Chuvash|
Qasgqai|
Karakalpak|
Sakha|
Kumyk|
Karachay-Balkar|
Tuvan|
Gagauz|
Karaim|
Krymchak|

Turkic Mythology

|  Belief system: Tengrism and Shamanism|

|

Chief gods and goddesses: Kayra and Ülgen|
Epics and heroes: Ergenekon and Asena|
Major concepts: Sheka and Grey wolf|

Pre-14th century

|  Yenisei Kyrgyz People 202 BCE–13th CE

* Yenisei Kyrgyz Khaganate

Dingling 71 BC–?? AD

* Tiele (Gaoche)

Göktürks

* First Turkic Khaganate 552–581
* Western Turkic Khaganate 581–657

(Tokhara Yabghus, Turk Shahis)

* Eastern Turkic Khaganate 581–650
* Second Turkic Khaganate 682–744

Sabiri People
Khazar Khaganate 618–1048
Xueyantuo 628–646
Kangar Union 659–750
Turk Shahi 665-850
Türgesh Khaganate 699–766
Kimek–Kipchak Confederation 743–1035
Uyghur Khaganate 744–840
Oghuz Yabgu State 750–1055
Karluk Yabgu State 756–940
Kara-Khanid Khanate 840–1212

* Western Kara-Khanid
* Eastern Kara-Khanid

Ganzhou Uyghur Kingdom 848–1036
Qocho 856–1335
Pecheneg Khanates 860–1091
Ghaznavid Empire 963–1186
Seljuk Empire 1037–1194

* Sultanate of Rum

Cuman–Kipchak Confederation 1067–1239
Khwarazmian Empire 1077–1231
Kerait Khanate 11th century–13th century
Atabegs of Azerbaijan 1136–1225
Delhi Sultanate 1206–1526

* Mamluk dynasty
* Khalji dynasty
* Tughlaq dynasty

Qarlughid Kingdom 1224–1266
Golden Horde 1242–1502
Mamluk Sultanate (Cairo) 1250–1517

* Bahri dynasty

Ottoman State 1299–1922

* v
* t
* e

Part of a series on the

History of Central Asia

Ancient

|  |  Oxus Civilization|

|

Scythia|
Dingling/Tiele|
Saka|
Kangju|
Huns|

Middle Ages

|  |  Sogdians|  200s–1000s

|

Hephthalites|  440s–710
Göktürks|  552–745
Karluks|  665–744
Kimek Khanate|  743–1220
Oghuz Yabgu State|  750–1055
Kara-Khanid Khanate|  840–1212
Qara Khitai|  1124–1218
Mongol Empire|  1206–1368
Golden Horde|  1240s–1446

Modern

|  Colonization period

|  Russian Turkestan|  1867–1918

|

Great game period
|  History of Central Asia|  XIX a.d.–

|

Topics

* Art
* Sports

* v
* t
* e

Part of a series on the

History of Xinjiang

Ancient period

* Tocharians
* Yuezhi
* Xiongnu
* Western Regions
* (Han Protectorate; Chief Officials)
* Kingdom of Khotan
* Former Liang
* Former Qin
* Later Liang
* Western Liang
* Gaochang
* Rouran
* First Turkic Khaganate
* Western Turkic Khaganate
* Eastern Turkic Khaganate
* Second Turkic Khaganate

Medieval and early modern period

* Tang Protectorates (West; Beiting)
* Tibetan Empire
* Uyghur Khaganate
* Kara-Khanid Khanate
* Kingdom of Qocho
* Qara Khitai
* Mongol Empire (Yuan; Chagatai Khanate)
* Moghulistan (Turpan; Yarkent)
* Ming ruled Kara Del
* Dzungar Khanate
* Kumul Khanate
* Yettishar
* Qing rule
* (Dzungar genocide
* Dungan Revolt
* Qing reconquest)

Modern period

* Xinjiang Province, Republic of China
* (Xinjiang clique
* 1st East Turkestan Republic
* 2nd East Turkestan Republic)
* Xinjiang Province, People's Republic of China
* Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region
* (Production and Construction Corps
* Xinjiang conflict
* Xinjiang internment camps / Persecution of Uyghurs in China)

* v
* t
* e

See also: Jimi system, Beiting Protectorate, and Protectorate General to Pacify the West

Kunling Protectorate (657–736)

* Ashina Mishe (657–662)
* Ashina Yuanqing (685–692)
* Ashina Xian (708–717)
* Ashina Zhen (735–736)

Mengchi Protectorate (657–742)

* Ashina Buzhen (657–667)
* Ashina Huseluo (693–704)
* Ashina Huaidao (704–708)
* Ashina Xin (740–742)

## See also

[edit]

* Eastern Turkic Khaganate
* Tang campaigns against the Western Turks
* Gao Changgong
* Qaghans of the Turkic khaganates
* History of the central steppe
* Khazars
* Oghuz Turks
* Turks in the Tang military
* Turkic interregnum
* Turkic peoples
* Timeline of Turks (500–1300)

## Sources

[edit]

* Alram, Michael; Filigenzi, Anna; Kinberger, Michaela; Nell, Daniel; Pfisterer, Matthias; Vondrovec, Klaus (2012–2013). "The Countenance of the other (The Coins of the Huns and Western Turks in Central Asia and India) 2012–2013 exhibit". Vienna, Austria: Kunsthistorisches Museum, Coin Cabinet. Archived from the original on 17 February 2021. Retrieved 1 November 2020. `{{cite web}}`: External link in ``|ref=`` (help)

## References

[edit]

### Citations

[edit]

1. ^ TURKO-SOGDIAN COINAGE, Larissa Baratova, "Encyclopedia Iranica", (July 20, 2005).
2. ^ Rezakhani 2017, p. 181.
3. ^ Peter Roudik, (2007), The History of the Central Asian Republics, p. 24
4. ^ Peter B. Golden, (2011), Central Asia in World History, p 37
5. ^ The Cambridge History of Iran, Vol. 3, part 1, ed. William Bayne Fisher and E. Yarshater, (Cambridge University Press, 2003), 621.
6. ^ Taagepera, Rein (1979). "Size and Duration of Empires: Growth-Decline Curves, 600 B.C. to 600 A.D.". Social Science History. 3 (3/4): 129. doi:10.2307/1170959. JSTOR 1170959.
7. ^ V. Thomsen, Turcica, p. 4–17
8. ^ a b c "Turk Bitig". Archived from the original on 2015-02-03. Retrieved 2020-01-02.
9. ^ Christopher I. Beckwith, (1993), The Tibetan Empire in Central Asia: A History of the Struggle for Great Power Among Tibetans, Turks, Arabs and Chinese During the Early Middle Ages, p. 209
10. ^ a b c d e Whitfield, Susan (2004). The Silk Road: Trade, Travel, War and Faith. British Library. Serindia Publications, Inc. p. 110\. ISBN 978-1-932476-13-2.
11. ^ Millward, James A. (2007). Eurasian Crossroads: A History of Xinjiang. Columbia University Press. p. 31\. ISBN 978-0-231-13924-3.
12. ^ Ch III, IV.
13. ^ Baumer has defeated Rouran and Ephthalites
14. ^ The war is variously dated. 560–65 (Gumilyov,1967); 555 (Stark, 2008, Altturkenzeit,210); 557 (Iranica, Khosrow ii); 558–61 (Iranica.hephthalites); 557–63 (Baumer, Hist.Cent.Asia,2,174); 557–61 (Sinor,1990, Hist Inner Asia,301; 560–563 (UNESCO, Hist.civs.c.a., iii,143); 562–65 (Christian, hist. russia, mongolia, c.a.,252); ca 565 (Grousset, Empire Steppes, 1970, p82); 567 (Chavannes,1903, Documents, 236+229)
15. ^ All sources have Oxus border; 571 Treaty is Gumulyov only.
16. ^ Göbl 1967, 254; Vondrovec tyre 254
17. ^ Alram, Michael; Filigenzi, Anna; Kinberger, Michaela; Nell, Daniel; Pfisterer, Matthias; Vondrovec, Klaus. "The Countenance of the other". Pro.geo.univie.ac.at. Kunsthistorisches Museum Vienna. Retrieved July 16, 2017.
18. ^ Alram, Michael; Filigenzi, Anna; Kinberger, Michaela; Nell, Daniel; Pfisterer, Matthias; Vondrovec, Klaus. "The Countenance of the other (The Coins of the Huns and Western Turks in Central Asia and India) 2012–2013 exhibit: 13. THE TURK SHAHIS IN KABULISTAN". Pro.geo.univie.ac.at. Kunsthistorisches Museum Vienna. Retrieved July 16, 2017.
19. ^ Ven, Hans van de (26 July 2021). Warfare in Chinese History. BRILL. p. 119\. ISBN 978-90-04-48294-4.
20. ^ Millward, James A. (2007). Eurasian Crossroads: A History of Xinjiang. Columbia University Press. p. 33\. ISBN 978-0-231-13924-3.
21. ^ Zhou, Xiuqin (University of Pennsylvania) (2009). "Zhaoling: The Mausoleum of Emperor Tang Taizong" (PDF). Sino-Platonic Papers (187): 155–156.
22. ^ Stark, Sören (2009). "Some Remarks on the Headgear of the Royal Türks". Journal of Inner Asian Art and Archaeology. 4: 133. doi:10.1484/J.JIAA.3.25. ISSN 1783-9025.
23. ^ "New Book of Tang Vol.108". Wikisource.
24. ^ a b Baumer, Christoph (18 April 2018). History of Central Asia, The: 4-volume set. Bloomsbury Publishing. p. 243\. ISBN 978-1-83860-868-2.
25. ^ Yatsenko, Sergey (2013). "Some Observations on Depictions of Early Turkic Costume (The Silk Road, 11, 2013)". The Silk Road. 11: 72, image 5.7.
26. ^ Fedorov, Michael (2011). "Early Medieval Chachian Coins with Lyre and Ram Horns Tamghas" (PDF). American Journal of Numismatics. 23: 189–208. ISSN 1053-8356. JSTOR 43619979.
27. ^ This section from Baumer, Hist. Central Asia, vol. 2, 175–81; Christian, History of Russia, Central Asia and Mongolia, 248–57; Sinor, Hist Early Inner Asia, 301–05
28. ^ Rhie, Marylin M. (2002). Early Buddhist art of China and Central Asia. Leiden: Brill. pp. 555–556, Fig. 3.73a. ISBN 978-90-04-11499-9. "Fig. 3.73a Wall painting with Buddha teaching, probably from the Temple of the Pedestal, Eastern Group, Tumshuk-Tagh, Tumshuk, 51 x 75 em, Museum fiir lndische Kunst, Berlin (III 8716). Page 555-556: This is a famous work from Tumshuk (Fig. 3.73a) and has been variously dated. It is discussed by Bussagli (1963) where he dates it to the 6th century (?), by Hartel and Y aldiz ( 1982), no. 42, where it is dated to the 7th century, by M. Yaldiz (1987), pp. 107-109, where she relates it to T'ang 8th-9th century painting, Gies and Cohen (1995), no. 78 where it is dated to the 7th century. (...)Armor: This style does not appear to relate to the T'ang period 7th-9th century or later, where the military uniform and helmets, etc. are differently portrayed. (...) Overall, this painting appears to relate to 6th century works in Central Asia, especially ca. mid 6th century and to Sui and early T'ang works of China from ca. late 6th to early 7th century"
29. ^ Mode, Markus (2006). "Reading the Afrasiab Murals: Some Comments on Reconstructions and Details" (PDF). Rivista degli studi orientali. 78: 107–128. ISSN 0392-4866. JSTOR 41913392.
30. ^ Xue, "A History of Turks", p. 271, 300.
31. ^ Wang, "Political Relationship Between the Chinese, Tibetan and Arab", p. 28.
32. ^ 1\. Chuyue (處月, later as Shatuo 沙陀) 2. Chumi (處蜜) 3. Gusu (姑蘇) 4. Geluolu (葛邏祿) 5. Beishi (卑失)
33. ^ In Zizhi Tongjian 199, Gusu (姑蘇) is mistakenly rendered as Shisu (始蘇) in section Wu-Shen 648 CE
34. ^ According to Erkoç (2019), Beishi (卑失) in Jiu Tangshu 110 Qibi Heli is possibly clerical error for Nushibi (弩失畢) txt: "永徽中，西突厥阿史那賀魯以處月、處蜜、姑蘇、歌邏祿、卑失五姓叛", tr. "In the middle of the Yonghui era (653 CE), Ashina Helu of the Western Turks took Chuyue, Chumi, Gusu, Karluks, and Beishi -five clans- and rebelled"; a similar list is included in Jiu Tangshu 215b Helu txt. "統處月、處蜜、姑蘇、歌邏祿、弩失畢五姓之眾" tr. "[Helu] governed the mass, [consisting] of the Chuyue, Chumi, Gusu, Geluolu, and Nushibi -five clans-"
35. ^ Erkoç, H. I. (2019) "The Importance of Chinese and Tibetan Resources in Determining the Göktürk Tribes" in General Turkish History Sources: Ordu Workshop Proceedings Ordu. p. 107–109. (in Turkish)
36. ^ Xue, "A History of Turks", p. 271, 273, 275, 300–301.
37. ^ Wang, "Political Relationship Between the Chinese, Tibetan and Arab", p. 29.
38. ^ 1\. Chumukun (处木昆) 2. Huluju (胡禄居) 3. Shesheti (摄舍提) 4. Tuqishi-[Heluoshi] (突骑施-[贺罗施]) 5. Shunishi (鼠尼施).
39. ^ 1\. A-Xijie (阿悉结) 2. Geshu (哥舒) 3. Basegan (拔塞干).
40. ^ Dobrovits, Mihály (2014–2015). "On the Titulature of Western Turkic Chieftains". Archivum Eurasiae Archivi Aevii. 21. Wiesbaden: Otto-Harassowitz Verlag: 79–80.
41. ^ likely of Iranian origin, from čyaura- "to go out, hunt". See Bailey, H.W. "Khotanese Texts, VII" in Golden, Peter B. (1992). "An Introduction to the History of the Turkic People." Otto Harrassowitz, Wiesbaden.
42. ^ collected together in one place" from root irk- "to collect or assemble (things Acc.)"; compare Anatolian irkin ~ irkim "a hoard, a buried treasure". See Clauson, Gerard. (1972) An Etymological Dictionary of Pre-13th Century Turkish. Oxford University Press. In English. p. 221, 225
43. ^ Xue, "A History of Turks", p. 272, 314.
44. ^ Wang, "Political Relationship Between the Chinese, Tibetan and Arab", p. 30–31.
45. ^ a b Yatsenko, Sergey A. (2009). "Early Turks: Male Costume in the Chinese Art Second half of the 6th – first half of the 8th cc. (Images of 'Others')". Transoxiana. 14: Fig.25.
46. ^ Arzhantseva, Irina; Inevatkina, Olga (2006). "Afrasiab Wall-Paintings Revisited: New Discoveries Twenty-Five Years Old". Rivista degli studi orientali. 78: 197. ISSN 0392-4866. JSTOR 41913397.
47. ^ Grenet, Frantz (2004). "Maracanda/Samarkand, une métropole pré-mongole". Annales. Histoire, Sciences Sociales. 5/6: Fig. B.
48. ^ Whitfield, Susan (2004). The Silk Road: Trade, Travel, War and Faith. British Library. Serindia Publications, Inc. p. 112\. ISBN 978-1-932476-13-2.
49. ^ Mode, Markus (2006). "Reading the Afrasiab Murals: Some Comments on Reconstructions and Details" (PDF). Rivista degli studi orientali. 78: 112. ISSN 0392-4866. JSTOR 41913392.
50. ^ a b c d e f g Yatsenko, Sergey A. (2004). "The Costume of Foreign Embassies and Inhabitants of Samarkand on Wall Painting of the 7th c. in the "Hall of Ambassadors" from Afrasiab as a Historical Source". Transoxiana. 8.
51. ^ Babayar, Gaybulla (2013). "The Imperial Titles on the Coins of the Western Turkic Qaghanate". History of Central Asia in Modern Medieval Studies. Tashkent: Yangi Nashr: 331.
52. ^ Yatsenko, Sergey A. (2009). "Early Turks: Male Costume in the Chinese Art Second half of the 6th – first half of the 8th cc. (Images of 'Others')". Transoxiana. 14: Fig.16.
53. ^ Grünwedel, Albert (1912). Altbuddhistische Kultstätten Chinesisch Turkistan. p. 180.
54. ^ Yatsenko, Sergey (2013). "Some Observations on Depictions of Early Turkic Costume (The Silk Road, 11, 2013)". The Silk Road. 11: 72, image 7.3.
55. ^ Le Coq, Albert von; Waldschmidt, Ernst (1922). Die buddhistische spätantike in Mittelasien, VI. Berlin, D. Reimer [etc.] pp. 80–81.
56. ^ a b c d Denison Ross, E. (1930). The Tonyukuk Inscription. Bulletin of the School of Oriental and African Studies, 6(1), 37–43.

### Sources

[edit]

* Christoph Baumer, History of Central Asia, volume 2, pp. 174–206
* Lev Gumilyov, The Ancient Turks, 1967 (long account in Russian at: "Древние тюрки")
* Rezakhani, Khodadad (2017). ReOrienting the Sasanians: East Iran in Late Antiquity. Edinburgh University Press. pp. 1–256. ISBN 9781474400305.

* v
* t
* e

History of Central Asia

Polities|

* Mal'ta–Buret' culture
* Yamnaya culture
* Afanasievo culture
* Sintashta culture
* Vakhsh culture
* Bactria–Margiana Archaeological Complex
* Saka
* Andronovo culture
* Tagar culture
* Uyuk culture
* Pazyryk culture
* Massagetae
* Median Empire
* Achaemenid Empire
* Macedonian Empire
* Seleucid Empire
* Greco-Bactrian Kingdom
* Guiyi Circuit
* Yuezhi
* Xiongnu
* Kushan Empire
* Kushano-Sasanians
* Kidarites
* Alchon Huns
* Hephthalites
* Tocharians
* Ustrushana
* Khuttal
* Ferghana
* First Turkic Khaganate
* Western Turks
* Tang dynasty (Anxi Protectorate)
* Ikhshids of Sogdia
* Tokhara Yabghus
* Turk Shahis
* Oghuz Yabgus
* Second Turkic Khaganate
* Uyghur Khaganate
* Abbasid Caliphate
* Tahirid dynasty
* Saffarid dynasty
* Samanids
* Ma'munids
* Farighunids
* Ghaznavids
* Great Seljuq Empire
* Ghurid Empire
* Khwarazmian Empire
* Mongol Empire
* Chagatai Khanate
* Golden Horde
* Ilkhanate
* Sufi dynasty
* Kart dynasty
* Timurid Empire
* Principality of Fergana
* Khanate of Bukhara
* Durrani Empire
* Khanate of Khiva
* Chinese Turkestan
* Russian Turkestan
* Soviet Central Asia
* Chinese Central Asia

Culture|

* Central Asian art
* Silk Road
* Silk Road transmission of art
* Silk Road transmission of Buddhism
* Serindian art

Archaeology|

| Southern Russia|

* Sintashta
* Arzhan kurgan
* Pazyryk burials
* Salbyk kurgan
* Filippovka kurgans

|

Western China|

* Bulayïq
* Kucha
* Kizil Caves
* Kizilgaha caves
* Kumtura Caves
* Subashi Temple
* Dunhuang
* Miran
* Niya
* Rawak
* Mogao Caves
* Tumshuq
* Bezeklik Caves
* Dunhuang Caves
* Loulan
* Khotan
* Kashgar
* Beshbalik

Mongolia|

* Noin-Ula burial site

Kazakhstan|

* Begash
* Issyk kurgan
* Jankent
* Karsakpay inscription
* Kerderi
* Krasnyi Yar
* Merke Turkic Sanctuaries
* Otrar
* Petroglyphs of Arpa-Uzen
* Petrovka settlement
* Boralday
* Sawran
* Shilikty
* Steppe Geoglyphs
* Sumbe
* Talapty Settlement
* Turkistan (city)
* Urpek
* Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi
* Araltobe kurgan

Kyrgyzstan|

* Aigyr-Zhal 2
* Balasagun
* Burana Tower
* Issyk-Kul
* Koshoy Korgon
* Manas Ordo
* Navekat
* Özgön
* Shakh Fazil
* Suyab
* Tash Rabat

Uzbekistan|

* Afrasiyab
* Akchakhan-Kala
* Akhsikath
* Ancient Pap
* Ayaz-Kala
* Balalyk Tepe
* Burchmulla
* Dalverzin Tepe
* Desert castles of ancient Khorezm
* Fayaz Tepe
* Guldursun-Kala
* Hazorasp
* Itchan Kala
* Kafir-kala
* Kampir Tepe
* Kara Tepe
* Khalchayan
* Khiva
* Koi Krylgan Kala
* Koktepe
* Kyzyl-Kala
* Obi-Rakhmat Grotto
* Poykent
* Sarmishsay
* Shahrukhiya
* Siypantosh Rock Paintings
* Tavka Kurgan
* Toprak-Kala
* Varakhsha
* Zarautsoy Rock Paintings

Tajikistan|

* Bunjikat
* Penjikent
* Ajina tepe
* Cyropolis
* Kafir-kala
* Sarazm
* Takht-i Kuwad
* Takht-i Sangin
* Kalai Kafirnigan

Turkmenistan|

* Cave of Dzhebel
* Abiward
* Altyndepe
* Anau culture
* Anau
* Dev-Kesken
* Gonur Depe
* Jeitun
* Konye-Urgench
* Kutlug Timur Minaret
* Merv
* Monjukli Depe
* Namazga-Tepe
* Nisa
* Togolok
* Ulug Depe

Afghanistan|

* Tepe Fullol
* Ai-Khanoum
* Dilberjin Tepe
* Hadda
* Tapa Shotor
* Chakhil-i-Ghoundi
* Shotorak
* Paitava
* Bimaran
* Tapa-i Kafariha
* Mes Aynak
* Fondukistan
* Khair Khaneh
* Tapa Sardar
* Tepe Narenj
* Takht-e Rostam
* Tepe Fullol
* Tillya Tepe
* Yemshi Tepe
* Alexandria Prophthasia
* Aq Kupruk
* Asqalan
* Bactria–Margiana Archaeological Complex
* Buddhas of Bamiyan
* Chakhil-i-Ghoundi Stupa
* Darra-e Kur
* Dasht-e Nawar
* Dokhtar-i-Noshirwan
* Firozkoh
* Gawhar Shad Mausoleum
* Haji Piyada
* Khair Khaneh
* Mundigak
* Musalla Complex
* Nagara
* Qala-i-Jangi
* Rag-i-Bibi
* Surkh Kotal

Iran|

* Bandian complex
* Mount Khajeh
* Shahr-e Sukhteh

Artifacts|

* Sokh snakes
* Orlat plaques
* Hephthalite silver bowl
* Chilek silver bowl
* Gardez Ganesha
* Mogao Christian painting
* Murals from the Christian temple at Qocho
* Penjikent murals
* Sampul tapestry
* Sogdian Daēnās
* Oxus Treasure
* Bimaran Casket
* Buddhas of Bamiyan
* Kabul hoard
* Aramaic Inscription of Laghman
* Kandahar Aramaic inscription
* Pul-i-Darunteh Aramaic inscription
* Kandahar Bilingual Rock Inscription
* Kandahar Greek Edicts of Ashoka
* Afrasiab murals
* Stamp seal (BM 119999)
* Seal of Khingila
* Siberian Ice Maiden
* Ai-Khanoum plaque
* Saksanokhur gold buckle
* Boar hunter (Hermitage Museum)
* Siberian Collection of Peter the Great

* v
* t
* e

Rulers of Ancient Central Asia

|  | Territories/
dates | Khorasan | Margiana | Bactria | Sogdia | Trans-Jaxartes steppes | Altai Mountains

|
|
|
|
|
|

| Preceded by: Chronology of the Neolithic period
3500–2500 BCE  | (Eastern migration of the Yamnaya culture from the Pontic steppe through the Eurasian Steppe,as far as the Altai region)
| Afanasievo culture
(Proto-Tocharian)
2400–2000 BCE  |  | Bactria–Margiana Archaeological Complex

2000–1900 BCE  | Andronovo Culture
2000–900 BCE  |
626–539 BCE  | Median Empire
Deioces Phraortes Madyes Cyaxares Astyages | Saka
Massagetae
Tomyris | Saka
Skunkha | Saka
(Arzhan culture)
(Pazyryk Culture)

539–331 BCE  | Achaemenid Empire
Cyrus Cambyses Darius I Xerxes Artaxerxes I Darius II Artaxerxes II Artaxerxes III Artaxerxes IV Darius III
331–256 BCE  | Hellenistic Period
Seleukos I Nikator Tetradrachm from BabylonArgead dynasty: Alexander I Philip Alexander II Antigonus

Seleucid Empire: Seleucus I Antiochus I Antiochus II

| Saka | Yuezhi
256–160 BCE  | Greco-Bactrian Kingdom
Diodotus I Diodotus II Euthydemus I Demetrius I Euthydemus II Antimachus I | Yuezhi | Xiongnu
Modu Chanyu Laoshang

Hunnic tribes
160–141 BCE  | Parthian Empire
Mithridates I Phraates Hyspaosines Artabanus Mithridates II Gotarzes Mithridates III Orodes I Sinatruces Phraates III Mithridates IV Orodes II Phraates IV Tiridates II Musa Phraates V Orodes III Vonones I Artabanus II Tiridates III Artabanus II Vardanes I Gotarzes II Meherdates Vonones II Vologases I Vardanes II Pacorus II Vologases II Artabanus III Osroes I Vologases III Parthamaspates Sinatruces II Mithridates V Vologases IV Osroes II Vologases V Vologases VI Artabanus IV | Eucratides
141 BCE–30 CE  | Yuezhi
Arseiles Sapadbizes Heraios
30 –224 CE  | Kushan Empire
Kujula Kadphises Vima Takto Vima Kadphises Kanishka I Huvishka Vasudeva I | Saka
224–350 CE  | Sasanian Empire
Coin of Ardashir I, Hamadan mint.Ardashir I Shapur I Hormizd I Bahram I Bahram II Bahram III Narseh Hormizd II Adur Narseh Shapur II Ardashir II Shapur III Bahram IV Yazdegerd I Shapur IV Khosrow Bahram V Yazdegerd II Hormizd III Peroz I Balash Kavad I Jamasp Kavad I Khosrow I Hormizd IV Khosrow II Bahram VI Chobin Vistahm Khosrow II Kavad II Ardashir III Shahrbaraz Khosrow III Boran Shapur-i Shahrvaraz Azarmidokht Farrukh Hormizd Hormizd VI Khosrow IV Boran Yazdegerd III Peroz III Narsieh | Kushano-Sasanians
Ardashir I Peroz I Hormizd I Hormizd II Peroz II Varahran | Kangju
Wanunkhur
320 CE–467 CE  | Kidarites
Yosada Kirada Peroz Kidara Grumbates Kungas Brahmi Buddhatala Varhran (II) Goboziko
370 CE–540 CE  | Alchon Huns
Khingila Javukha Mehama Lakhana Udayaditya Aduman Toramana Mihirakula
440 CE–560 CE  | Hephthalites
Akhshunwar Kun-khi Ghadfar
560 CE–651 CE  | First Turkic Khaganate
(Ashina Tuwu) Bumin Qaghan Issik Qaghan Muqan Qaghan Taspar Qaghan Ashina Anluo Ishbara Qaghan Bagha Qaghan Tulan Qaghan (Istämi) (Empress Ashina) (Apa Qaghan) (Yangsu Tegin) (Tamgan)
560 CE–625 CE  | Western Turks
(vassal of the Tang dynasty 657–742)
Niri Qaghan Heshana Khagan Sheguy Tong Yabghu Qaghan
625 CE–651 CE  | Tokhara Yabghus
Tardush Shad Ishbara Yabgu Wu-shih-po Pantu Nili  | Külüg Sibir Irbis Bolun Cabgu Duolu Qaghan Ishbara Tolis Yukuk Shad Irbis Seguy Ashina Helu
651–673 CE  | Muslim conquest of Persia
673–751 CE  | Muslim conquest of Transoxiana | Second Turkic Khaganate
Rulers of the Ancient Near-East

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Turkic topics

Languages|

* Afshar
* Altai
* Northern
* Southern
* Äynu
* Azerbaijani
* Bashkir
* Bulgar
* Chagatai
* Chulym
* Chuvash
* Crimean Tatar
* Cuman
* Dolgan
* Fuyü Gïrgïs
* Gagauz
* Ili Turki
* Karachay-Balkar
* Karaim
* Karakalpak
* Karamanli Turkish
* Kazakh
* Khakas
* Khalaj
* Khazar
* Khorasani Turkic
* Kipchak
* Krymchak
* Kumyk
* Kipchak languages
* Kyrgyz
* Nogai
* Old Turkic
* Ottoman Turkish
* Pecheneg
* Qashqai
* Sakha/Yakut
* Salar
* Shor
* Siberian Tatar
* Tatar
* Tofa
* Turkish
* Turkmen
* Tuvan
* Urum
* Uyghur
* Uzbek
* Western Yugur

| Alphabets|

* Old Turkic
* Common Turkic
* Cyrillic
* Old Uyghur
* Persian

|

Peoples|

* Afshars
* Altaians
* Chelkans, Kumandins, Telengits, Teleuts, Tubalars
* Azerbaijanis
* in Iran, Armenia, Georgia1
* Balkars
* Bashkirs
* Chulyms
* Chuvash
* Crimean Karaites
* Crimean Tatars
* Dolgans
* Gagauz
* Karachays
* Karakalpaks
* Kazakhs
* in China1
* Khakas
* Khalaj
* Khorasani Turks
* Krymchaks
* Kyrgyz
* in China1
* Kumyks
* Naimans
* Nogais
* Qarai Turks
* Qashqai
* Salar
* Shors
* Siberian Tatars
* Baraba Tatars
* Tatars
* Astrakhan, Chinese, Lipka, Kryashens, Mishar, Nağaybäk, Volga
* Tofalar
* Turkmens
* Afghan, Iranian1
* Turkish
* in Abkhazia, Algeria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Crete, Cyprus, Dodecanese, Egypt, Iraq, Israel, Kosovo, Lebanon, Libya, North Macedonia, Meskhetia (Ahiska), Montenegro, Romania, Serbia, Syria, Tunisia, Western Thrace, Yemen1
* Tuvans
* Uyghurs
* Uzbeks
* in Afghanistan1
* Yakuts (Sakha)
* Yugurs

| Extinct Turkic groups|

* Bulaqs
* Bulgars
* Cumans
* Dughlats
* Göktürks
* Karluks
* Khazars
* Kimek
* Kipchaks
* K'o-sa
* Oghuz Turks
* Shatuo
* Türgesh
* Uzes

|

Politics|

* Grey Wolves
* Kemalism
* Burkhanism
* Jadid
* Pan-Turkism
* Turkesism
* Turanism (Hungarian)

Origins|

* Turkestan
* Mongolia
* History
* Timeline of the Göktürks
* Timeline 500–1300
* Migration
* Turkification
* Nomadic empire
* Turco-Mongol
* Tian Shan / Altai Mountains
* Otuken
* Oğuz

Locations|

| Sovereign states|

* Azerbaijan
* Kazakhstan
* Kyrgyzstan
* Northern Cyprus2
* Turkey
* Turkmenistan
* Uzbekistan

|

Autonomous areas|

* Altai Republic
* Bashkortostan
* Chuvashia
* Crimea
* Gagauzia
* Kabardino-Balkaria
* Karachay-Cherkessia
* Karakalpakstan
* Khakassia
* Nakhchivan
* Sakha
* Tatarstan
* Tuva
* Xinjiang

Studies|

* Old Turkic script
* Proto-Turkic language
* Turkology

Religions|

* Turkic mythology
* Tengrism
* Shamanism
* Aiyy Faith
* Tibetan Buddhism
* Islam
* Alevism
* Batiniyya
* Bayramiye
* Bektashi Order
* Burkhanism
* Christianity
* Hurufism
* Khalwati order
* Malamatiyya
* Qadiri
* Qalandariyya
* Rifaʽi*
* Safaviyya
* Zahediyeh
* Vattisen Yaly

Traditional sports|

* Kyz kuu
* Jereed
* Kokpar
* Jigit
* Chovgan

Organizations|

* Organization of Turkic States
* International Organization of Turkic Culture (TÜRKSOY)
* Parliamentary Assembly (TURKPA)
* Turkic Academy
* Organization of the Eurasian Law Enforcement Agencies with Military Status (TAKM)
* World Turks Qurultai

1These are traditional areas of settlement; the Turkic group has been living in the listed country/region for centuries and should not be confused with modern diasporas.
2State with limited international recognition.

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Göktürks

First Turkic Khaganate
(552–581)|

* (Ashina Tuwu)
* Bumin Qaghan
* Issik Qaghan
* Muqan Qaghan
* Taspar Qaghan
* Ashina Anluo
* Ishbara Qaghan
* Bagha Qaghan
* Tulan Qaghan
* (Istämi)
* (Empress Ashina)
* (Apa Qaghan)

* (Yangsu Tegin)
* (Tamgan)

Eastern Turkic Khaganate
(581–630)|

* Yami Qaghan
* Shibi Qaghan
* Chulo Qaghan
* Illig Qaghan
* Qilibi Qaghan
* Chebi Qaghan

* (Ashina Jiesheshuai)
* (Ashina Funian)
* (Ashina She'er)
* (Ashina Nishufu)
* (Ashide Wenfu)
* (Ashide Fengji)
* (Ashina Shibobi)

Western Turkic Khaganate
(581–657)|

* Tardu
* Niri Qaghan
* Heshana Qaghan
* Sheguy
* Tong Yabghu Qaghan
* Külüg Sibir
* Sy Yabghu Khagan
* Duolu Qaghan
* Ishbara Tolis

* (El Kulug Shad)
* (Irbis Ishbara Yabgu Qaghan)

* Yukuk Shad
* Irbis Seguy
* Hallig
* (Bagha Shad)
* (Böri Shad)
* (Ashina Duzhi)
* (Tardush Shad)
* (Ashina Tuizi)

Second Turkic Khaganate
(682–744)|

* Ilterish Qaghan
* Qapaghan Qaghan
* Inel Qaghan
* Bilgä Qaǧan
* Yollıg Khagan
* Tengri Qaghan
* Kutluk Yabgu Khagan
* Özmiş Khagan
* Ashina Shi

* (Ashina Duoxifu)
* (Kulun Beg)
* (Kul Tigin)
* (Tonyukuk)
* (Qutluğ Säbäg Qatun)
* (El Bilga Khatun)

Western Turks
under Jimi system|

Kunling Protectorate

* Ashina Mishe
* Ashina Yuanqing
* Ashina Xian
* Ashina Zhen

Mengchi Protectorate

* Ashina Buzhen
* Ashina Huseluo
* Ashina Huaidao
* Ashina Xin

Anxi Protectorate

* Tokhara Yabghus (625-758)
* Turk Shahis (665–870)

Göktürk culture|

* Tengrism
* Asena
* Otuken
* Suyab
* Kurultai
* Old Turkic language
* Old Turkic script
* Orkhon inscriptions
* Orkhon Valley
* Shoroon Bumbagar tomb
* Turks in the Tang military
* Ülüş system
* Tonyukuk inscriptions
* Ongin inscription
* Altyn Tamgan Tarhan inscription
* Qara bodun

Göktürk wars
and battles|

* Battle of Gol-Zarriun/Bukhara
* Göktürk–Persian wars
* First
* Second
* Third
* Goguryeo–Tang War
* Göktürk civil war
* Tang Eastern Turk campaign
* Xueyantuo
* Tang Western Turk campaigns
* Conquest
* Li-Sun rebellion
* Battle of Bolchu

Titles|

* Khagan
* Shad
* Tegin
* Yabghu
* Bagha
* Boyla
* Tudun
* Beg
* Khatun
* Tarkhan
* Ishad
* Elteber

Family|

* Göktürk family tree
* Ashina tribe
* Ashide

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Empires

Ancient
(colonies)|

* Akkadian
* Armenian
* Urartu
* Orontid
* Ancient
* Assyrian
* Middle Assyrian
* Neo-Assyrian
* Babylonian
* Old Babylonian
* Kassite
* Neo-Babylonian
* Chinese
* Qin
* Han
* Jin
* Dʿmt
* Egyptian
* Old Kingdom
* Middle Kingdom
* New Kingdom
* Goguryeo
* Harsha
* Hellenistic
* Macedonian
* Seleucid
* Ptolemaic
* Bactrian
* Indo-Greek
* Hittite
* Hunnic
* White
* Xiongnu
* Iranian
* Median
* Achaemenid
* Parthian
* Sasanian
* Kush
* Kushan
* Magadha
* Haryanka
* Shaishunaga
* Nanda
* Maurya
* Shunga
* Gupta
* Phoenician
* Carthaginian
* Roman
* Western
* Eastern
* Satavahana
* Neo-Sumerian
* Xianbei
* Rouran

Post-classical|

* Angevin
* Aragonese
* Armenian
* Bagratid
* Vaspurakan
* Artsakh
* Cilician
* Zakarid
* Ayyubid
* Aztec
* Benin
* Bornu
* Bruneian
* Bulgarian
* First
* Second
* Burmese
* First
* Calakmul
* Caliphate
* Rashidun
* Umayyad
* Abbasid
* Fatimid
* Chalukya
* Western
* Eastern
* Chinese
* Sui
* Tang
* Liao
* Song
* Jīn
* Yuan
* Chola
* Ethiopian
* Aksum
* Zagwe
* Solomonic
* Genoese
* Georgian
* Huetar
* Inca
* Kannauj
* Pala
* Gurjara-Pratihara
* Rashtrakuta
* Iranian
* Tahirid
* Saffarid
* Samanid
* Buyid
* Japanese
* Yamato
* Kamakura
* Muromachi
* Edo
* Kanem
* Khmer
* Latin
* Lithuanian
* Grand Duchy
* Commonwealth
* Majapahit
* Mali
* Mongol
* Yuan
* Golden Horde
* Chagatai Khanate
* Ilkhanate
* Moroccan
* Idrisid
* Almoravid
* Almohad
* Norwegian
* North Sea
* Oyo
* Polish
* Kingdom
* Commonwealth
* Hellenic Roman
* Byzantine
* Nicaea
* Thessalonica
* Trebizond
* Epirus
* Morea
* Romano-Germanic
* Carolingian
* Holy Roman
* Russian
* Ruthenian
* Novgorod
* Vladimir-Suzdal
* Muscovy
* Permian
* Serbian
* Singhasari
* Songhai
* Srivijaya
* Tibetan
* Tikal
* Tiwanaku
* Toltec
* Turco-Persian
* Ghaznavid
* Great Seljuk
* Khwarezmian
* Timurid
* Turkic
* First
* Western
* Eastern
* Second
* Türgesh
* Uighur
* Kyrgyz
* Ukrainian
* Ruthenian
* Kyivan
* Venetian
* Vietnamese
* Dinh
* Early Le
* Ly
* Tran
* Ho
* Later Tran
* Later Le
* Vijayanagara
* Wagadou
* Wari

Modern|

* Afghan
* Ashanti
* Austrian
* Austro-Hungarian
* Brazilian
* Burmese
* Second
* Third
* Central African
* Chinese
* Ming
* Qing
* China
* Manchukuo
* Contemporary
* Ethiopian
* Haitian
* First
* Second
* French
* First
* Second
* German
* German Empire
* Nazi Germany
* Indian
* Indo-Persian
* Mughal
* Sikh
* Iranian
* Safavid
* Afsharid
* Zand
* Qajar
* Pahlavi
* Japanese
* Korean
* Maratha
* Mexican
* First
* Second
* Mongol
* Oirat
* Khoshut
* Dzungar
* Kalmyk
* Bogd
* Moroccan
* Saadi
* 'Alawi
* Ottoman
* Russian
* Tsarist
* Imperial
* Contemporary
* Sokoto
* Somali
* Isaaq
* Tongan
* Ukrainian
* Vietnamese
* Mạc
* Revival Lê
* Tay Sơn
* Dainam
* Vietnam

| Colonial|

* American
* Belgian
* British
* English
* Scottish
* Chinese
* Danish
* Dutch
* French
* German
* Italian
* Japanese
* Mongol
* Omani
* Polish–Lithuanian
* Couronian
* Portuguese
* Russian
* Spanish
* Swedish

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Lists|

* Empires
* largest
* Ancient great powers
* Medieval great powers
* Modern great powers
* European colonialism
* African empires

Miscellaneous|

* "Empire" as a description of foreign policy
* American Empire
* Soviet empire

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