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Tardu Qaghan

Type Figure Region Central Asia Time c. 547–603 Also known as Tardu Qaghan、Apa Qaghan (confused in some sources)

Tardu (c. 547–c. 603), son of Istämi, was the de facto founder of the Western Turkic Khaganate;…

Timeline

  1. c. 547–576Western Turkic territories of Central Asia · steppe west of the Syr DaryaAs son of Istämi, Tardu in his early years grew up within the Western Turkic military establishment, mastering nomadic military traditions and tribal command, gradually establishing prestige among Western Turkic nobles and laying the foundation for inheriting his father's position.
  2. 576–600Western Turkic khaganate court and the Sui's northwestern frontier · Sui northwestern frontierAfter his father Istämi died, Tardu Qaghan became the de facto master of the Western Turks. He repeatedly led armies into the Sui's northwestern frontier (582–600) and actively intervened in Eastern Turkic disputes, at one point proclaiming himself Bula Qaghan with the aim of uniting east and west. Emperor Wen of Sui adopted Zhangsun Sheng's divide-and-rule scheme, supporting Qimin Qaghan in prolonged confrontation with Tardu.
  3. 600–603former Western Turkic lands · Central AsiaThe Sui's persistent diplomatic divide-and-rule and the military pressure of Qimin Qaghan's Eastern Turks left Tardu Qaghan abandoned by his followers. Around 603 he suffered a decisive defeat, was forced to flee west, and his subsequent fate is unclear in the records. The Western Turks then fell into division, and the east-west Turkic standoff was established.

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