AHistoryIndependent states
The Türgesh Khaganate (699-766)
A khaganate of the Türgesh, one of the On Oq tribes, in Zhetysu, which held back the Arab advance into Central Asia for many years.
The Türgesh belonged to the Duolu wing of the Western Turks. As the Western Turkic Khaganate weakened, their chief Uchelik became khagan in 699. Suyab was again the centre, with Taraz as a second city.
The strongest ruler was Suluk Khagan (716-738), who fought the Arab armies advancing into Transoxiana again and again with success. Arab chroniclers called him "Abu Muzahim", "the one who butts".
In 738 Suluk was killed by one of his own commanders, and a feud broke out between the "Yellow" and "Black" Türgesh. In 766 the Karluks took Suyab and the Türgesh Khaganate left the stage.
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Updated: November 10, 2026