Ilterish Qaghan

From 630 the Göktürks lived for fifty years under the rule of the Tang dynasty. The Kul Tigin inscription describes this time: "your sons who should have been lords became slaves, your daughters who should have been ladies became servants". In 682 Qutlugh of the Ashina clan withdrew to the mountains and rose in revolt; according to the inscription he set out with 17 men, who soon grew to 70 and then 700.

Qutlugh was proclaimed khagan with the title Ilterish, "he who gathered the realm again", and Tonyukuk became his chief adviser. In dozens of campaigns against China and neighbouring tribes he built the Second Turkic Khaganate, and he died around 691. His sons Bilge Qaghan and Kul Tigin later brought the state to its height.