Turgesh - Origins

Origins

The Turgesh were a group of Duolu tribes believed to have originated from the Turuhe tribe, who had appeared earlier on the banks of the Tuul River.

Among them were the Chebishi (车鼻施), who were related to the Qibi tribe. The Qibi were dispersed shortly after the defeat of chief Gelang. In the east they were put under the rule of a tudun (吐屯) named Ashina Hubo (阿史那斛勃), who became known as the Chebi Qaghan.

According to the epigraphy of Qibi Song (契苾嵩), a Tiele mercenary in Chinese service (730), The origin of the Qibi can be traced to the Khangai Mountains prior to their presence at the Bogda Mountains in the 6th century. They were related to the Jiepi (解批) of Gaoche, who were situated east of the Fufuluo.

In 610, Shekui subdued Tashkent, a vassal territory of Chuluo, and installed his tigin (特勤). He also formed a political marriage with Samarkand and subdued its surrounding cities. In the following year, he defeated Chuluo and established his capital over the Khan Tengri (三弥山). After his death, his younger brother Tong Yabgu Qaghan took over. During his reign, the Western Qaghanate reached its height of power, reaching to Sassanid Persia to the west and Bagram in the south. The capital was moved further west to the springs (千泉) north of Tashkent, to secure the area beyond.

Tong attacked and occupied Tokharistan (吐火罗), and a royal personage from the Ashina clan was sent over to command the region. Xuanzang, a contemporary pilgrim who visited the area, related how the Turks had overlorded the country. A later pilgrim, Hyecho, commented that both the ruling elite and troops in the region were the Tujue, whereas the natives were the Hu. Most of the local kings who came under the rule of the Turks at this time were converted to ilteber (颉利发), and supervised by the tudun. According to Chinese sources, under Tong the Turks advanced into the Sassanid empire and killed Khosrau II. His son ascended to the throne but died a year later, and the Turks killed Khosrau II's daughter.

Tong seems to have been known as the Djeboukha-Khan by the Armenian author Moses (of Kaghankatouts).

In 621 he proposed a marriage alliance with the Chinese and planned an attack on the Eastern Qaghanate in the next winter, but the plan was obstructed by Illig. Another proposal was made in 625, when the Chinese state was under heavy attack.

Due to his failure to expand eastwards, his reputation among the Duolu tribes diminished. Many tribes including the Qarluq defected to the Eastern Qaghanate. In 630, he was murdered by his uncle Sipi, and for decades the Turks struggled among themselves for the throne.