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Illig Qaghan

Type Figure Region Northern steppe Time c. 600–634 Also known as Ashina Duobi、last powerful qaghan of the Eastern Turkic Khaganate

Eastern Turkic Ashina qaghan, named Duobi, died 634; became Illig Qaghan in 626, reached peak power, forced Emperor Taizong of Tang into the Treaty o…

Timeline

  1. 626–627Northern steppe court · Northern steppeAfter his brother Chuluo Qaghan and nephew Chu Luo Qaghan died in succession, Duobi succeeded as Illig Qaghan, uniting the Turkic tribes and controlling the vast steppes north and south of the desert, posing a powerful threat to the Sui remnant and early Tang.
  2. 626–629Wei River pontoon bridge (north of Chang'an) · Xi'anTaking advantage of the newly founded Tang's unsettled politics after the Xuanwu Gate Incident, he led a great army south to approach Chang'an; Emperor Taizong personally met him at the Wei River pontoon bridge to swear a treaty (Treaty of Wei River). Eastern Turkic power peaked, but internal division and natural disasters already foreshadowed defeat.
  3. 630–634Chang'an · Xi'anIn 630 Tang general Li Jing led an army and crushed the Eastern Turkics at Yinshan; Illig was captured and the Eastern Turkic Khaganate fell; he was taken to Chang'an, invested by the Tang as King Guiyi, and later died in Chang'an.

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