Empire · 552–744 · Northern & Central Asia

Turkic Khaganate (Göktürks)

Also known as Göktürks, Western Gokturk Khaganate

The Göktürks, or Celestial Turks, were metal-working vassals of the Rouran in the Altai Mountains. In 552 their chief Bumin rebelled, destroyed the Rouran and took the title qaghan, founding the first state to bear the name Turk.

Within a generation his brother Istämi and son Muqan had built an empire stretching from Manchuria to the Black Sea, controlling the Silk Road and negotiating with Byzantium, Persia and China. The empire split into eastern and western khaganates around 582, and both fell under Tang Chinese control in the 630s and 650s. In 682 Ilterish revived the eastern khaganate, which reached its height under Bilge Qaghan. Internal strife and an uprising by the Uyghurs, Basmyls and Karluks ended the khaganate in 744.

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Years

552–744

Capital

Ötüken in the Orkhon valley (Mongolia); western court at Suyab

Greatest extent

557, about 6.00 million km²

Region

Northern & Central Asia

From Manchuria towards the Black Sea steppe; c. 6.0M km² in 557 (Turchin, Adams & Hall 2006; Taagepera 1979)