The Uighurs

doi:10.1017/CHOL9780521243049.013

12 - The Uighurs

Published online by Cambridge University Press: 28 March 2008

Colin Mackerras

Edited by

Denis Sinor

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Colin Mackerras: Affiliation:
School of Modern Asian Studies, Griffith University, Australia
Denis Sinor: Affiliation:
Indiana University

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Summary

The second of the great nomad empires of Mongolia lasted from 744 to 840, and its capital was Karabalghasun on the High Orkhon River. For some years before its foundation, the Uighur leader, known to the Chinese as Ku-li p'ei-lo, had been consolidating the power of his own clan, the Yaghlakar, among the various Uighur tribes; and in 742, he led a coalition of Uighur, Karluk and Basmil forces in a successful attempt to drive the last important ruler of the Eastern Türks from the Mongolian steppes. This set the scene for further expansion of Ku-li p'ei-lo's power, and the Chinese historian tersely remarks that in 744 “he attacked and defeated the Basmil and took upon himself the title of Kutlugh bilgä Kö1 kaghan.” Shortly after this, the Karluk also became victims of the Uighur kaghan, and an easterly group of them was brought under subjection.

The empire's founder died in 747 and leadership devolved upon his son, Bilgä köl kaghan, called Mo-yen-ch'o in the Chinese sources. He was a brutal and ambitious man who carried forward his father's achievements by strengthening the monarchy and extending his people's domination over the Karluk and Basmil. He also added a further dimension to the historical importance of the Uighurs by ordering his eldest son to render to the great neighbouring T'ang empire in China invaluable military service against the An Lu-shan rebellion (755–63) which, despite its failure to overthrow the T'ang, dealt the dynasty a blow so heavy that it never fully recovered.

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Type: Chapter
Information: The Cambridge History of Early Inner Asia , pp. 317 - 342

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/CHOL9780521243049.013 [Opens in a new window]

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Print publication year: 1990

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