Western Turkic Khaganate

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The Western Turkic Khaganate was formed as a result of the internecine wars in the beginning of the 7th century (600 – 603 AD) after the Göktürk Khaganate (founded in the 6th century in Northern Mongolia by the Ashina clan) had splintered into two polities – Eastern and Western.

The Western Turks (also known as the Onoq, or "ten arrows") sought friendly relations with the Byzantine Empire in order to expand their territory at the expense of their mutual enemy, the Sassanid Empire.[1] In 619 the Western Turks invaded Bactria but were repulsed in the course of the Second Perso-Turkic War. During the Third Perso-Turkic War Khagan Tung Yabghu and his nephew Buri-sad joined their forces with Emperor Heraclius and successfully invaded Transcaucasia.

Göktürk khaganates at their height, c. 600 CE :      Western Göktürk: Lighter area is direct rule, darker areas show sphere of influence.      Eastern Göktürk: Lighter area is direct rule, darker areas show sphere of influence.
Göktürk khaganates at their height, c. 600 CE :      Western Göktürk: Lighter area is direct rule, darker areas show sphere of influence.      Eastern Göktürk: Lighter area is direct rule, darker areas show sphere of influence.

The khaganate's capitals were Navekat (the summer capital) and Suyab (the principal capital), both situated in the Chui River valley of Kyrgyzstan, to the east from Bishkek. The khaganate was overrun by Chinese forces under Su Dingfang in 658-659.[2]

[edit] References

  1. ^ Twitchett, David. The Cambridge History of China. Cambridge University Press, 1979. ISBN 0521214467. Page 223.
  2. ^ Hans J. Van de Ven. Warfare in Chinese History. Brill Academic Publishers, 2000. ISBN 9004117741. Page 118.