The document summarizes the origin and early history of the Turks. It discusses how the term "Turk" originated with a nomadic tribal chief named Tumen in 543 CE. Under Tumen and subsequent khans like Mukan, the first Turkish empire was established in Central Asia near China. The empire grew powerful and asserted dominance over neighboring nomadic tribes and formed diplomatic relations with empires like China, Byzantium, and Persia. By the 7th century, the Turkish empire had divided into eastern and western branches.
The document summarizes the origin and early history of the Turks. It discusses how the term "Turk" originated with a nomadic tribal chief named Tumen in 543 CE. Under Tumen and subsequent khans like Mukan, the first Turkish empire was established in Central Asia near China. The empire grew powerful and asserted dominance over neighboring nomadic tribes and formed diplomatic relations with empires like China, Byzantium, and Persia. By the 7th century, the Turkish empire had divided into eastern and western branches.
The document summarizes the origin and early history of the Turks. It discusses how the term "Turk" originated with a nomadic tribal chief named Tumen in 543 CE. Under Tumen and subsequent khans like Mukan, the first Turkish empire was established in Central Asia near China. The empire grew powerful and asserted dominance over neighboring nomadic tribes and formed diplomatic relations with empires like China, Byzantium, and Persia. By the 7th century, the Turkish empire had divided into eastern and western branches.
Sources of ancient Turks history comes from the Chinese chronicles of Sui (580-618) and Tang (618- 905) dynasties. According to the Chinese, the word ‘turk’ was a turkish word meaning ‘helmet’. Chinese were engaged in several centuries of warfare with a nomad nation called by Chinese ‘Hiung-nu’ or ‘Hiung slaves’- from it comes ‘Hun’. Scholars debate on the term ‘Hun’ whether it should be applied to the Turks or not. Some scholars are of the opinion that the term ‘Turk’ originated in the year 543 C.E. One tribal (nomad) chief Asena, with 500 tents placed himself under the protection of the then dominant nomad power (west of the Tung empire) namely Geougen. Hiung Nu------Tsugo-----Asena (439C.E.)-----Nutor----- Tumen (543 C.E.)
Notur first applied the word ‘Turk’ to his people and
his son Tumen founded the Turkish power in 543 C.E. They lived somewhere between what are now called Etzinai and Kokonor in the modern Chinese province of Kansuh. Turks when they first took the national name of ‘Turk’, were of Hiung-Nu origin. The mountain along the lower slopes of which they lived- known to the Chinese, like the Altai, as ‘Golden Mountains’ – were quite close to China Notur, the father of their political founder Tumen, first used the name ‘Turk’ as a tribal designation in the first half of the 6th century C.E. Tumen only reigned for two years having rendered excellent military service to his master, the Geougen. Tumen thought himself entitled to a Geougen princess. His advances were repelled; he revolted, overthrew the Geougen empire and himself assumed the title of Khakan or Khan. The word ‘han’ or ‘khan’ occurs in history, apparently as a Tungusic title. Chinese chronicles suggest that Tumen died in 553 C.E., leaving at least five sons; Isiki, Mukan, Tapo, Yangsu and Tateu. Isiki died almost as soon as he came to the throne. He was succeeded by his brother Mukan. Mukan reigned from 553 to 572 C.E. It was under Mukan’s rule that the Turkish empire attained its highest early development. Mukan asserted a suzerainty over the Kirghiz and nomad Tungusic tribes and established a strong system of government. The rival Tungusic dynasty, that was civilized and settled branches ruling as emperors of North China did all in their power to curry favor with the formidable Turkish Khan. Turks used to send their emissaries on trade and diplomatic mission to the Byzantine and Persian empires. Shapur Khan, son of Isiki ruled from 581 to 587 C.E. There were subordinate governments under supreme leader Shapur Khan (i) Amro (s/o Tapu) (ii) Dalobian (s/o Mukan) (iii) Tat- t’ou (s/o Tumen) 1st Khan: Tumen 2nd Khan: Isiki
3rd Khan: Mukan
4th Khan: Tapu
5th Khan: Shapur
Prominent Khans of first Turkish empire The Turkish empire gained its aggressive power under the leadership of Gheri. Gheri was ultimately taken prisoner by the Chinese in 630 C.E. By this time, the Turks were divided into two distinct branches: (i) Eastern Turks (ii) Western Turks The Western Turks had their chief encampment in the Issikul region. The Western Turks’ relations with Persia were more extensive than those with China. The Ghaznavis, Ghouris, Seljuqs and Ottomans came from Western branch of Turks.