Tonyukuk: Difference between revisions

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'''Tonyukuk''' ({{langx|otk|𐰋𐰃𐰠𐰏𐰀:𐱃𐰆𐰪𐰸𐰸|Bilgä Tuňuquq|lit=Tunyuquq the Wise}},<ref>{{cite journal|title=BİLGE TONYUKUK Tonyuquq the Wise|author=İlhami DURMUŞ|journal=Asya Araştırmaları Dergisi|issue=1|volume=3|lang=tr}}</ref> {{lang-zh||c=暾欲谷|p=Tunyugu}}, {{Lang-zh|c=阿史德元珍|s=|t=|p=Āshǐdé Yuánzhēn}}, born c. 646, died c. 726) was the baga-tarkhan (supreme commander) and adviser of four successive [[Göktürk]] [[khagan]]s – [[Ilterish Qaghan]], [[Qapaghan Qaghan]], [[Inel Qaghan]] and [[Bilge Qaghan]]. He conducted victorious campaigns against various [[Turkic peoples|Turkic]] and non-Turkic steppe peoples, such as Tölis, [[Xueyantuo]], [[Toquz Oguz]], [[Yenisei Kyrgyz]], [[Kurykans]], [[Tatar confederation|Thirty Tatar]], [[Khitan people|Khitan]] and [[Tatabi]] as well as the [[Tang dynasty]].<ref>Peter B. Golden, (1992), ''An Introduction to the History of the Turkic People'', p. 137</ref> He was described as a [[kingmaker]] by historians such as [[E. P. Thompson]]<ref>{{cite book|publisher=Türkiye Cumhuriyet Halk Partisi|year=1937|title=Ülkü|page=352|language=tr}}</ref> and [[Peter Benjamin Golden]].<ref>{{cite book|author=Peter B. Golden|year=2010|title=Central Asia in World History|page=42}}</ref>
'''Tonyukuk''' or '''Ashide Yuanzhen''' ({{langx|otk|𐰋𐰃𐰠𐰏𐰀:𐱃𐰆𐰪𐰸𐰸|Bilgä Tuňuquq|lit=Tunyuquq the Wise}},<ref>{{cite journal|title=BİLGE TONYUKUK Tonyuquq the Wise|author=İlhami DURMUŞ|journal=Asya Araştırmaları Dergisi|issue=1|volume=3|lang=tr}}</ref> {{lang-zh||c=暾欲谷|p=Tunyugu}}, {{Lang-zh|c=阿史德元珍|s=|t=|p=Āshǐdé Yuánzhēn}}, born {{Circa|646}}, died {{Circa|726}}) was the baga-tarkhan (supreme commander) and adviser of four successive [[Göktürk]] khagans – [[Ilterish Qaghan]], [[Qapaghan Qaghan]], [[Inel Qaghan]] and [[Bilge Qaghan]]. He conducted victorious campaigns against various [[Turkic peoples|Turkic]] and non-Turkic steppe peoples, such as the Tölis, [[Xueyantuo]], [[Toquz Oguz]], [[Yenisei Kyrgyz]], [[Kurykans]], [[Tatar confederation|Thirty Tatar]], [[Khitan people|Khitan]] and [[Tatabi]] as well as the [[Tang dynasty]].<ref>Peter B. Golden, (1992), ''An Introduction to the History of the Turkic People'', p. 137</ref> He was described as a [[kingmaker]] by historians such as [[E. P. Thompson]]<ref>{{cite book|publisher=Türkiye Cumhuriyet Halk Partisi|year=1937|title=Ülkü|page=352|language=tr}}</ref> and [[Peter Benjamin Golden]].<ref>{{cite book|author=Peter B. Golden|year=2010|title=Central Asia in World History|page=42}}</ref>


== Name ==
== Name ==
The name is spelled as ''t<sub>1</sub>-o-ɲ-uq<sub>1</sub>-uq<sub>1</sub>'' ({{script|Orkh|𐱃𐰆𐰪𐰸𐰸}}) in the [[Old Turkic script]], variously interpreted as ''Tunuquq'', ''Tonuquq'', ''Tuj-uquq'', '' Toɲ Yuguq'', ''Tujun-oq'', ''Tojuquq'', ''Tuɲoqoq'' with a number of suggestions for its etymology. According to Sertkaya, ''Tunuk'' means "clear, pure, abyss, who reached the depth" or "pure, penetrative", and ''uq'' or ''oq'' means "idea, wise, well-informed". Thus, Tonuquq is the owner of deep and pure idea.<ref>O. F. Sertkaya (2003, p. 33)</ref><ref>Nadelyaev V.M. “Orhon–Eniseisk mark’s reading” and “Etymology of the name of Tonuquq”. // Turkology researches M.L. 1963 pp. 197–213; Amanzholov A.C. “Talas, Enisey and Orhon inscriptions’ graphics” /Kazakh language and literature, KAz SU, Almaty, 1973. Amanzholov A.C. “Old Turkic inscriptions History and Theory”, Almaty, 2003; pp. 56–57.</ref> His title "Bilge" means wise or master.<ref>{{Cite web |title=ON THE NAME AND TITLES OF TONYUQUQ  |url=https://dergipark.org.tr/en/download/article-file/991592 |access-date=28 December 2024|author=Erhan AYDIN}}</ref> According to Klyashtorny, the element ''yuquq'' means "hidden, protected thing, value, treasure, jewelry", which is derived from the verb "yoq/yuq" meaning "to hide, to protect" (used in Uyghur legal documents); meanwhile, the other ''ton'' means "first"; thus his Chinese name 元珍 ''Yuánzhēn'' is a calque of his Turkic name ''Tonyuquq'', both meaning "first treasure"<ref>S. G. Klyashtorny 1966, pp. 202–205</ref> René M. Giraud read the name as ''tonïuquq'', from ''ton'' "dress, clothes" with ''I'' possessive and ''yuquq'' (from the verb ''yuk-'' "to stick") and meaning "whose dress is blessed with oil"; Likewise, [[Jean-Paul Roux]] explained the name as "with oiled dress" while discussing the culinary culture of the Mongols and suggesting that they had dirty and stained clothes.<ref>Aydın, Erhan "On the name and titles of Tonyuquq", ''Türkbilig'', 2019/37: 1–10</ref>
The name is spelled as ''t<sub>1</sub>-o-ɲ-uq<sub>1</sub>-uq<sub>1</sub>'' ({{script|Orkh|𐱃𐰆𐰪𐰸𐰸}}) in the [[Old Turkic script]], variously interpreted as ''Tunuquq'', ''Tonuquq'', ''Tuj-uquq'', '' Toɲ Yuguq'', ''Tujun-oq'', ''Tojuquq'', ''Tuɲoqoq'' with a number of suggestions for its etymology. According to Sertkaya, ''Tunuk'' means "clear, pure, abyss, who reached the depth" or "pure, penetrative", and ''uq'' or ''oq'' means "idea, wise, well-informed". Thus, Tonuquq is the owner of deep and pure idea.<ref>O. F. Sertkaya (2003, p. 33)</ref><ref>Nadelyaev V.M. “Orhon–Eniseisk mark’s reading” and “Etymology of the name of Tonuquq”. // Turkology researches M.L. 1963 pp. 197–213; Amanzholov A.C. “Talas, Enisey and Orhon inscriptions’ graphics” /Kazakh language and literature, KAz SU, Almaty, 1973. Amanzholov A.C. “Old Turkic inscriptions History and Theory”, Almaty, 2003; pp. 56–57.</ref> His title "Bilge" means wise or master in [[Old Turkic]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=ON THE NAME AND TITLES OF TONYUQUQ  |url=https://dergipark.org.tr/en/download/article-file/991592 |access-date=28 December 2024|author=Erhan AYDIN}}</ref> According to Klyashtorny, the element ''yuquq'' means "hidden, protected thing, value, treasure, jewelry", which is derived from the verb "yoq/yuq" meaning "to hide, to protect" (used in Uyghur legal documents); meanwhile, the other ''ton'' means "first"; thus his Chinese name 元珍 ''Yuánzhēn'' is a calque of his Turkic name ''Tonyuquq'', both meaning "first treasure"<ref>S. G. Klyashtorny 1966, pp. 202–205</ref> René M. Giraud read the name as ''tonïuquq'', from ''ton'' "dress, clothes" with ''I'' possessive and ''yuquq'' (from the verb ''yuk-'' "to stick") and meaning "whose dress is blessed with oil"; Likewise, [[Jean-Paul Roux]] explained the name as "with oiled dress" while discussing the culinary culture of the Mongols and suggesting that they had dirty and stained clothes.<ref>Aydın, Erhan "On the name and titles of Tonyuquq", ''Türkbilig'', 2019/37: 1–10</ref>


== Life ==
== Life ==
=== Early years ===
=== Early years ===
[[File:Turkic Gold Belt Ornaments (35671983336).jpg|thumb|Gold belt ornaments, Tonyukuk ritual place, Tov, Erdene.<ref>{{cite web |title=National History Museum of Mongolia |url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/142086940@N03/48761143791/in/album-72157718782605608/ |date=7 September 2019}}</ref>]]
[[File:Turkic Gold Belt Ornaments (35671983336).jpg|thumb|Gold belt ornaments, Tonyukuk ritual place, Tov, Erdene.<ref>{{cite web |title=National History Museum of Mongolia |url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/142086940@N03/48761143791/in/album-72157718782605608/ |date=7 September 2019}}</ref>]]
He was born around 646, near [[Tuul River]] in [[Ashide]] tribe. He fled the [[Tang dynasty]] in 679 and joined [[Ilterish Qaghan|Elteriš]] in 681.
Tonyukuk was born around 646, near [[Tuul River]] in the land of the [[Ashide]] tribe. He fled the [[Tang dynasty]] in 679 and joined [[Ilterish Qaghan]] in 681.


{{fs interlinear|𐰋𐰃𐰠𐰏𐰀 𐱃𐰆𐰪𐰸𐰸 𐰋𐰤 𐰇𐰕𐰢 𐱃𐰉𐰍𐰲 𐰃𐰠𐰭𐰀 𐰶𐰠𐰦𐰢 𐱅𐰇𐰼𐰚 𐰉𐰆𐰑𐰣 𐱃𐰉𐰍𐰲𐰴𐰀 𐰝𐰇𐰼𐰼 𐰼𐱅𐰃|Bilge Toñuquq bän özüm Tabγač eliŋä qılıntım Türk bodun Tabγačqa körür ärti.||I myself, wise Tonyukuk, born in [[Tuoba#Legacy of the Tuoba/Tabgach name|Tabgach]] [i.e. [[Tang dynasty|Tang China]]] country. (As the whole) Turk people was under Chinese subjection.<ref>Atalay Besim (2006). Divanü Lügati't Türk. [[Turkish Language Association]], {{ISBN|975-16-0405-2}}, p. 28, 453, 454</ref><ref>Aydın 2017, p. 104</ref>|lang=otk|indent=3}}
{{fs interlinear|𐰋𐰃𐰠𐰏𐰀 𐱃𐰆𐰪𐰸𐰸 𐰋𐰤 𐰇𐰕𐰢 𐱃𐰉𐰍𐰲 𐰃𐰠𐰭𐰀 𐰶𐰠𐰦𐰢 𐱅𐰇𐰼𐰚 𐰉𐰆𐰑𐰣 𐱃𐰉𐰍𐰲𐰴𐰀 𐰝𐰇𐰼𐰼 𐰼𐱅𐰃|Bilge Toñuquq bän özüm Tabγač eliŋä qılıntım Türk bodun Tabγačqa körür ärti.||I myself, wise Tonyukuk, born in [[Tuoba#Legacy of the Tuoba/Tabgach name|Tabgach]] [i.e. [[Tang dynasty|Tang China]]] country. (As the whole) Turk people was under Chinese subjection.<ref>Atalay Besim (2006). Divanü Lügati't Türk. [[Turkish Language Association]], {{ISBN|975-16-0405-2}}, p. 28, 453, 454</ref><ref>Aydın 2017, p. 104</ref>|lang=otk|indent=3}}


Chinese sources state that Tonyuquq's name was "Yuanzhen," and he learned all Chinese traditions and was aware of the gaps in the borders and the Chinese wall. While he was supervising the surrendered clans in [[Protectorate General to Pacify the North|Chanyü military governorship]], he was dismissed and jailed by the military governor Changshih.<ref>Taşağıl 2004, p. 63</ref>
Chinese sources state that Tonyukuk's name was "Yuanzhen," and he learned all Chinese traditions and was aware of the gaps in the borders and the Chinese wall. While he was supervising the surrendered clans in [[Protectorate General to Pacify the North|Chanyü military governorship]], he was dismissed and jailed by the military governor Changshih.<ref>Taşağıl 2004, p. 63</ref>


=== During Elteriš's reign ===
=== During Ilterish Qaghan's reign ===
Although he lost early wars against [[Xue Rengui]], he was formidable force in establishing Turkic Khaganate. In 687, another invasion of [[Tang dynasty|Tang]] by Elteriš and [[Ashide Yuanzhen]] began. [[Wu Zetian|Empress Dowager Wu]] commissioned the ethnically [[Baekje]] general [[Heichi Changzhi]], assisted by Li Duozuo, to defend against Turkic attack and they were able to defeat Turk forces at Huanghuadui (modern day [[Shuozhou]], [[Shanxi]]) causing Turk forces to flee.
Although he lost early wars against [[Xue Rengui]], he was a formidable force in establishing the [[Second Turkic Khaganate]]. In 687, the Tang invaded [[Göktürks|Göktürk]] land again. [[Wu Zetian|Empress Dowager Wu]] commissioned the ethnically [[Baekje]] general [[Heichi Changzhi]], assisted by Li Duozuo, to defend against Turkic attack and were able to defeat the Turkic forces at Huanghuadui (modern day [[Shuozhou]], [[Shanxi]]) causing the Turkic forces to flee.


=== During Qapγan's reign ===
=== During Qapaghan Qaghan's reign ===
[[File:Bilge Tonyukuk - Orkhon Inscriptions.jpeg|thumb|The [[Tonyukuk inscriptions]].]]
[[File:Bilge Tonyukuk - Orkhon Inscriptions.jpeg|thumb|The [[Tonyukuk inscriptions]].]]
In 703, he was sent by qaγan for marriage proposal to the [[Zhou dynasty (690–705)|Wu Zhou dynasty]]. [[Wu Zetian]] accepted the proposal, in exchange Wu Yanxiu was released on khagan's order. However, [[Emperor Zhongzong of Tang|Emperor Zhongzhong]]'s accession changed political climate. Marriage was cancelled.
In 703, he was sent by [[Qapaghan Qaghan]] for a marriage proposal to the [[Wu Zhou]] dynasty. [[Wu Zetian]] accepted the proposal, in exchange Wu Yanxiu was released on the Khagan's order. However, [[Emperor Zhongzong of Tang|Emperor Zhongzhong]]'s accession changed the political climate, causing the cancellation of the marriage.


In 712, he commanded Tujue army during [[Battle of Bolchu]] which proved disastrous for [[Turgesh]] army.
In 712, he commanded a Turkic army during [[Battle of Bolchu]] which proved disastrous for the [[Turgesh]] army.


=== During Inäl's reign ===
=== During Inel Qaghan's reign ===
He was not in active politics during [[Inel Khagan|Inäl]]'s reign and accepted him as a legitimate ruler.<ref>Dobrovits,M.:“[http://www.turkdilleri.org/turkdilleri/sayilar/tda18/MDobrovits.pdf Textological Structure and Political Message of  the Old Turkic Runic Inscriptions]”, Talât Tekin Armağanı, Türk Dilleri Araştırmaları 18 (2008), 149–153.</ref> Although this did not cost him his life and was spared, perhaps because of his great authority and his age. Another reason would the fact that he was Bilge Qaghan's father-in-law.<ref>{{cite book|title=The Cambridge History of Early Inner Asia|volume=1|author=Denis Sinor|page=312|year=1990}}</ref>
He was not in active politics during [[Inel Qaghan]]'s reign and accepted him as a legitimate ruler.<ref>Dobrovits,M.:“[http://www.turkdilleri.org/turkdilleri/sayilar/tda18/MDobrovits.pdf Textological Structure and Political Message of  the Old Turkic Runic Inscriptions]”, Talât Tekin Armağanı, Türk Dilleri Araştırmaları 18 (2008), 149–153.</ref> Although this did not cost him his life and was spared, perhaps because of his great authority and his age. Another reason would the fact that he was Bilge Qaghan's father-in-law.<ref>{{cite book|title=The Cambridge History of Early Inner Asia|volume=1|author=Denis Sinor|page=312|year=1990}}</ref>{{Clarify|reason=Not clear why he would have lost his life|date=September 2025}}


=== During Bilgä's reign ===
=== During Bilge Qaghan's reign ===
In 716 he was appointed to be Master Strategist (Bagha Tarkhan) by his son-in-law [[Bilge Khagan|Bilgä Qaγan]].
In 716 he was appointed as master strategist (bagha tarkhan) by his son-in-law [[Bilge Qaghan]].


Chinese sources state that Bilgä Qaγan wanted to convert to [[Buddhism]], establish cities and temples. However, Tonyukuk discouraged him from this by pointing out that their nomadic lifestyle was what made them a greater military power when compared to [[Tang dynasty]].<ref>Denis Sinor (ed.), ''The Cambridge History of Early Inner Asia'', vol.1, Cambridge University Press, 1990, {{ISBN|978-0-521-24304-9}}, 312–313.</ref> While Turks' power rested on their mobility, conversion to Buddhism would bring pacifism among population. Therefore sticking to [[Tengrism|Tengriism]] was necessary to survive.<ref>''[[Wenxian Tongkao]]'', 2693a</ref><ref>''[[New Book of Tang]]'', [https://zh.wikisource.org/wiki/%E6%96%B0%E5%94%90%E6%9B%B8/%E5%8D%B7215%E4%B8%8B vol 215-II]</ref><ref>Golden 2002, p. 9</ref><ref>Ercilasun 2016, pp. 295–296</ref>
Chinese sources state that Bilge Qaghan wanted to convert to [[Buddhism]] and establish cities and temples. However, Tonyukuk discouraged him from this by pointing out that their nomadic lifestyle was what made them a greater military power when compared to the [[Tang dynasty]].<ref>Denis Sinor (ed.), ''The Cambridge History of Early Inner Asia'', vol.1, Cambridge University Press, 1990, {{ISBN|978-0-521-24304-9}}, 312–313.</ref> While the Turks' power rested on their mobility, conversion to Buddhism would bring pacifism among population. Therefore sticking to [[Tengrism|Tengriism]] was necessary to survive.<ref>''[[Wenxian Tongkao]]'', 2693a</ref><ref>''[[New Book of Tang]]'', [https://zh.wikisource.org/wiki/%E6%96%B0%E5%94%90%E6%9B%B8/%E5%8D%B7215%E4%B8%8B vol 215-II]</ref><ref>Golden 2002, p. 9</ref><ref>Ercilasun 2016, pp. 295–296</ref>


In 720 Tang chancellor [[Wang Jun (Tang chancellor)|Wang Jun]] proposed a plan to attack Bilgä Qaγan along with the [[Basmyl|Baximi]], [[Kumo Xi|Xi]], and [[Khitan people|Khitan]].<ref>''[[Old Book of Tang]]'', Vol. 194-I</ref> [[Emperor Xuanzong of Tang|Emperor Xuanzong]] also recruited [[Qapaghan Qaghan|Qapγan Qaγan]]'s sons Bilgä Tegin and Mo Tegin, [[Yenisei Kyrgyz]] Qaγan Qutluğ Bilgä Qaγan and Huoba Guiren to fight against Tujue. Tonyukuk cunningly launched first attack on Baximi in 721 autumn, completely crushing them. Meanwhile Bilgä raided [[Gansu]], taking much of the livestock. Later that year [[Khitan people|Khitans]], next year [[Kumo Xi|Xi]] were also crushed.
In 720 the Tang chancellor [[Wang Jun (Tang chancellor)|Wang Jun]] proposed a plan to attack Bilge Qaghan' along with the [[Basmyl|Baximi]], [[Kumo Xi|Xi]], and [[Khitan people|Khitan]].<ref>''[[Old Book of Tang]]'', Vol. 194-I</ref> [[Emperor Xuanzong of Tang|Emperor Xuanzong]] also recruited [[Qapaghan Qaghan]]'s sons Bilgä Tegin and Mo Tegin, [[Yenisei Kyrgyz]] Qaγan Qutluğ Bilgä Qaγan and Huoba Guiren to fight against the Turks. Tonyukuk launched a first attack on Baximi in the autumn of 721, completely crushing them. Meanwhile Bilge raided [[Gansu]], taking much of the livestock. Later that year the [[Khitan people|Khitans]], the next year the [[Kumo Xi|Xi]] were crushed.


He died around 726.
He died around 726.


== Family ==
== Family ==
He was father to [[Po Beg|Eletmiš Bilgä Qatun]] and a father-in-law to [[Bilge Khagan|Bilgä Qaγan]], thus a grandfather to [[Yollıg Khagan|Yollïg]] and [[Tengri Qaghan|Teŋrï Qaγans]].
He was father to [[Qutluğ Säbäg Qatun]] and a father-in-law of [[Bilge Qaghan]]', thus a grandfather to [[Yollıg Khagan]] and [[Tengri Qaghan]].


== Legacy ==
== Legacy ==
His biography, achievements and advice for state administration were carved in the so-called [[Orkhon-Turkic script]] on two stele erected around 716 (before his death) at a site known as [[Bain Tsokto inscriptions|Bayn Tsokto]], in [[Ulaanbaatar]]'s [[Nalaikh district]].<ref>For the site see Sören Stark ''Die Alttürkenzeit in Mittel- und Zentralasien. Archäologische und historische Studien'' (Nomaden und Sesshafte, Band 6), Reichert: Wiesbaden 2008, pp. 75–76.
His biography, achievements and advice for state administration were carved in [[Old Turkic script]] on two stele erected around 716 (before his death) at a site known as [[Tonyukuk inscriptions|Bayn Tsokto]], in [[Ulaanbaatar]]'s [[Nalaikh district]].<ref>For the site see Sören Stark ''Die Alttürkenzeit in Mittel- und Zentralasien. Archäologische und historische Studien'' (Nomaden und Sesshafte, Band 6), Reichert: Wiesbaden 2008, pp. 75–76.
Ross (1930): "About 48° N. and a little more 107° W.{{sic}} of Greenwich, near a place said to have the name of Bain Chokto, between the Nalaikha post-station and the right bank of the upper waters of the Tola."</ref> [[Yuan era]] Uyghur official Xie Wenzhi (楔文質), as well as Korean [[Gyeongju Seol clan]] claimed descent from Tonyukuk.<ref>{{Cite book|title=Subjects and masters : Uyghurs in the Mongol Empire|last=Brose, Michael C.|year=2007|isbn=9780914584292|location=Bellingham, WA, USA|pages=169, 183–185|oclc=235941570}}</ref>
Ross (1930): "About 48° N. and a little more 107° W.{{sic}} of Greenwich, near a place said to have the name of Bain Chokto, between the Nalaikha post-station and the right bank of the upper waters of the Tola."</ref> [[Yuan era]] Uyghur official Xie Wenzhi (楔文質), as well as Korean [[Gyeongju Seol clan]] claimed descent from Tonyukuk.<ref>{{Cite book|title=Subjects and masters : Uyghurs in the Mongol Empire|last=Brose, Michael C.|year=2007|isbn=9780914584292|location=Bellingham, WA, USA|pages=169, 183–185|oclc=235941570}}</ref>


Latest revision as of 02:30, 8 November 2025

Template:Short description Template:Infobox noble

Tonyukuk or Ashide Yuanzhen (Template:Langx,[1] Template:Lang-zh, Template:Lang-zh, born Template:Circa, died Template:Circa) was the baga-tarkhan (supreme commander) and adviser of four successive Göktürk khagans – Ilterish Qaghan, Qapaghan Qaghan, Inel Qaghan and Bilge Qaghan. He conducted victorious campaigns against various Turkic and non-Turkic steppe peoples, such as the Tölis, Xueyantuo, Toquz Oguz, Yenisei Kyrgyz, Kurykans, Thirty Tatar, Khitan and Tatabi as well as the Tang dynasty.[2] He was described as a kingmaker by historians such as E. P. Thompson[3] and Peter Benjamin Golden.[4]

Name

The name is spelled as t1-o-ɲ-uq1-uq1 (Template:Script) in the Old Turkic script, variously interpreted as Tunuquq, Tonuquq, Tuj-uquq, Toɲ Yuguq, Tujun-oq, Tojuquq, Tuɲoqoq with a number of suggestions for its etymology. According to Sertkaya, Tunuk means "clear, pure, abyss, who reached the depth" or "pure, penetrative", and uq or oq means "idea, wise, well-informed". Thus, Tonuquq is the owner of deep and pure idea.[5][6] His title "Bilge" means wise or master in Old Turkic.[7] According to Klyashtorny, the element yuquq means "hidden, protected thing, value, treasure, jewelry", which is derived from the verb "yoq/yuq" meaning "to hide, to protect" (used in Uyghur legal documents); meanwhile, the other ton means "first"; thus his Chinese name 元珍 Yuánzhēn is a calque of his Turkic name Tonyuquq, both meaning "first treasure"[8] René M. Giraud read the name as tonïuquq, from ton "dress, clothes" with I possessive and yuquq (from the verb yuk- "to stick") and meaning "whose dress is blessed with oil"; Likewise, Jean-Paul Roux explained the name as "with oiled dress" while discussing the culinary culture of the Mongols and suggesting that they had dirty and stained clothes.[9]

Life

Early years

File:Turkic Gold Belt Ornaments (35671983336).jpg
Gold belt ornaments, Tonyukuk ritual place, Tov, Erdene.[10]

Tonyukuk was born around 646, near Tuul River in the land of the Ashide tribe. He fled the Tang dynasty in 679 and joined Ilterish Qaghan in 681.

Template:Fs interlinear

Chinese sources state that Tonyukuk's name was "Yuanzhen," and he learned all Chinese traditions and was aware of the gaps in the borders and the Chinese wall. While he was supervising the surrendered clans in Chanyü military governorship, he was dismissed and jailed by the military governor Changshih.[11]

During Ilterish Qaghan's reign

Although he lost early wars against Xue Rengui, he was a formidable force in establishing the Second Turkic Khaganate. In 687, the Tang invaded Göktürk land again. Empress Dowager Wu commissioned the ethnically Baekje general Heichi Changzhi, assisted by Li Duozuo, to defend against Turkic attack and were able to defeat the Turkic forces at Huanghuadui (modern day Shuozhou, Shanxi) causing the Turkic forces to flee.

During Qapaghan Qaghan's reign

File:Bilge Tonyukuk - Orkhon Inscriptions.jpeg
The Tonyukuk inscriptions.

In 703, he was sent by Qapaghan Qaghan for a marriage proposal to the Wu Zhou dynasty. Wu Zetian accepted the proposal, in exchange Wu Yanxiu was released on the Khagan's order. However, Emperor Zhongzhong's accession changed the political climate, causing the cancellation of the marriage.

In 712, he commanded a Turkic army during Battle of Bolchu which proved disastrous for the Turgesh army.

During Inel Qaghan's reign

He was not in active politics during Inel Qaghan's reign and accepted him as a legitimate ruler.[12] Although this did not cost him his life and was spared, perhaps because of his great authority and his age. Another reason would the fact that he was Bilge Qaghan's father-in-law.[13]Template:Clarify

During Bilge Qaghan's reign

In 716 he was appointed as master strategist (bagha tarkhan) by his son-in-law Bilge Qaghan.

Chinese sources state that Bilge Qaghan wanted to convert to Buddhism and establish cities and temples. However, Tonyukuk discouraged him from this by pointing out that their nomadic lifestyle was what made them a greater military power when compared to the Tang dynasty.[14] While the Turks' power rested on their mobility, conversion to Buddhism would bring pacifism among population. Therefore sticking to Tengriism was necessary to survive.[15][16][17][18]

In 720 the Tang chancellor Wang Jun proposed a plan to attack Bilge Qaghan' along with the Baximi, Xi, and Khitan.[19] Emperor Xuanzong also recruited Qapaghan Qaghan's sons Bilgä Tegin and Mo Tegin, Yenisei Kyrgyz Qaγan Qutluğ Bilgä Qaγan and Huoba Guiren to fight against the Turks. Tonyukuk launched a first attack on Baximi in the autumn of 721, completely crushing them. Meanwhile Bilge raided Gansu, taking much of the livestock. Later that year the Khitans, the next year the Xi were crushed.

He died around 726.

Family

He was father to Qutluğ Säbäg Qatun and a father-in-law of Bilge Qaghan', thus a grandfather to Yollıg Khagan and Tengri Qaghan.

Legacy

His biography, achievements and advice for state administration were carved in Old Turkic script on two stele erected around 716 (before his death) at a site known as Bayn Tsokto, in Ulaanbaatar's Nalaikh district.[20] Yuan era Uyghur official Xie Wenzhi (楔文質), as well as Korean Gyeongju Seol clan claimed descent from Tonyukuk.[21]

He was mentioned and remembered in some Uyghur Manichaean texts later in Qocho.[22]

The Berlin Manichaean manuscript found in Qocho read as follows:[22]

Template:Quote

In popular culture

References

Template:Reflist

  • E. Denison Ross, The Tonyukuk Inscription, Being a Translation of Professor Vilhelm Thomsen's final Danish Rendering, Bulletin of the School of Oriental Studies, University of London, 1930.
  • Nathan Light. An 8th Century Turkic Narrative: Pragmatics, Reported Speech and Managing Information. Turkic languages. 10.2, 2006. pp 155–186.

External links

Template:Göktürks

  1. ↑ Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".
  2. ↑ Peter B. Golden, (1992), An Introduction to the History of the Turkic People, p. 137
  3. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  4. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  5. ↑ O. F. Sertkaya (2003, p. 33)
  6. ↑ Nadelyaev V.M. “Orhon–Eniseisk mark’s reading” and “Etymology of the name of Tonuquq”. // Turkology researches M.L. 1963 pp. 197–213; Amanzholov A.C. “Talas, Enisey and Orhon inscriptions’ graphics” /Kazakh language and literature, KAz SU, Almaty, 1973. Amanzholov A.C. “Old Turkic inscriptions History and Theory”, Almaty, 2003; pp. 56–57.
  7. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  8. ↑ S. G. Klyashtorny 1966, pp. 202–205
  9. ↑ Aydın, Erhan "On the name and titles of Tonyuquq", Türkbilig, 2019/37: 1–10
  10. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  11. ↑ Taşağıl 2004, p. 63
  12. ↑ Dobrovits,M.:“Textological Structure and Political Message of the Old Turkic Runic Inscriptions”, Talât Tekin Armağanı, Türk Dilleri Araştırmaları 18 (2008), 149–153.
  13. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  14. ↑ Denis Sinor (ed.), The Cambridge History of Early Inner Asia, vol.1, Cambridge University Press, 1990, Template:ISBN, 312–313.
  15. ↑ Wenxian Tongkao, 2693a
  16. ↑ New Book of Tang, vol 215-II
  17. ↑ Golden 2002, p. 9
  18. ↑ Ercilasun 2016, pp. 295–296
  19. ↑ Old Book of Tang, Vol. 194-I
  20. ↑ For the site see Sören Stark Die Alttürkenzeit in Mittel- und Zentralasien. Archäologische und historische Studien (Nomaden und Sesshafte, Band 6), Reichert: Wiesbaden 2008, pp. 75–76. Ross (1930): "About 48° N. and a little more 107° W. [sic] of Greenwich, near a place said to have the name of Bain Chokto, between the Nalaikha post-station and the right bank of the upper waters of the Tola."
  21. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  22. ↑ a b Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".
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