Shikui Khagan
| Shikui Kaghan | |
|---|---|
| Qaghan of the Western Turkic Khaganate | |
| Reign | 611–618 |
| Predecessor | Heshana Khagan |
| Successor | Tong Yabghu Khagan |
| Died | 618 Suyab |
| House | Ashina |
| Father | Tulu Tegin (都六) |
| Religion | Tengrism |
Shikui Khagan (r. 611–619 or possibly 610–617;[1] Middle Chinese: *ʑia-gwi; Middle Persian Zyk, Žeg[2]) was the third khagan of the Western Turkic Khaganate. He was the grandson of Tardu (575–603) through his son Tulu (都六).
Background
[edit]The Western Turkic Khaganate in present-day Turkestan was founded as the result of the partition of the First Turkic Khaganate after the death of Tardu in 603. It was also called On Ok ("Ten arrows") referring to ten powerful tribes in the khaganate. Five tribes (called Duolu) to the northeast and five tribes to the southwest (called Nushibi) formed the two rival factions, the border line being the Ili River.
After partitioning
[edit]Shikui Khagan was Tardu's grandson and governor of Chach (Tashkent)[3] He was expected to be enthroned after the death of Tardu. But the Dulu faction enthroned Ashina Daman (later known as Heshana Qaghan) who was a generation younger than Shekui. But Daman was a very inexperienced ruler and was a puppet of the Dulu clan. The Nushibi clan as well as Silk Road merchants who suffered from the increasing anarchy supported Shikuito throne in 611. When Daman affiliated partisans arrested a Chinese ambassador to Shekui, Shikuirevolted and Daman had to flee to Sui China where he was killed.[4]
Shikuimaintained order in the khaganate and provided security on the Silk Road. His reign marks the beginning of Nushibi supremacy. In 618, he was succeeded by his brother Tong during whose reign Western Turkic Khaganate reached to apogee.
References
[edit]- ^ 610 from Christoph Baumer, History of Central Asia, volume two, 2014, page 198, apparently following Edouard Chavannes who translated from the Chinese. 611 may be from Gumilyov.
- ^ Ünal, Orçun. (2014) of "Once Again on the Etymology of the Old Turkic Yaŋa ~ Yaŋan ~ Yagan 'Elephant'" Hacettepe University Journal of Turkish Studies Vol. 11 Issue 21, pp. 229-249. "Extended Summary" p. 3
- ^ Baumer, same page, has him conquer Tashkent. Perhaps he conquered and became governor(?). Baumer also has him raid near Isfahan in 616-17 and 'incorporate the whole of the Altai'.
- ^ L.N.Gumilev: Eski Türkler (tr: Ahsen Batur), İstanbul, 2002, Selenge Yayınları. ISBN 975-7856-39-8. OCLC 52822672, p.199-200.
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