Khan's Den episodes
Episode 6: The Turks and the Huns in China - The Rise of the Göktürks
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Were the ancient Turks and Chinese always adversaries? What difference did being part of a nomadic versus a sedentary society make? And were the Turks descendants of the Huns?
In the first season of 'The Rise of the Göktürks,' we explored how the Ashina dynasty, under Bumin and Istemi, united the Turkic peoples across Asia, becoming the lords of the steppes. But while Istemi, Bumin's brother and ruler of the Western Khaganate, experienced numerous adventures along the Silk Road, the rulers in the East faced significant challenges. The Rouran, former overlords of the Turks, were now fleeing from the Ashina dynasty. However, their attempts to convince the northern Chinese dynasties to support them against the Turks failed. The Western Wei, powerful allies of Bumin, even handed the Rouran over to the Göktürks.
As the Northern Qi aided the Rouran, trying to curb Göktürk power in the region, it became evident that both the Wei and Qi were descendants of the Tuoba clan of the Xianbei confederation. When Mukhan Khagan restored order, a new threat loomed: the Sui dynasty, uniting China for the first time since the Han dynasty, employing conspiracies and deceptions targeting the Ashina dynasty...
Join us as we delve into the intricate historical relationships and conflicts between the ancient Turks, Huns, and Chinese dynasties.
In the first season of 'The Rise of the Göktürks,' we explored how the Ashina dynasty, under Bumin and Istemi, united the Turkic peoples across Asia, becoming the lords of the steppes. But while Istemi, Bumin's brother and ruler of the Western Khaganate, experienced numerous adventures along the Silk Road, the rulers in the East faced significant challenges. The Rouran, former overlords of the Turks, were now fleeing from the Ashina dynasty. However, their attempts to convince the northern Chinese dynasties to support them against the Turks failed. The Western Wei, powerful allies of Bumin, even handed the Rouran over to the Göktürks.
As the Northern Qi aided the Rouran, trying to curb Göktürk power in the region, it became evident that both the Wei and Qi were descendants of the Tuoba clan of the Xianbei confederation. When Mukhan Khagan restored order, a new threat loomed: the Sui dynasty, uniting China for the first time since the Han dynasty, employing conspiracies and deceptions targeting the Ashina dynasty...
Join us as we delve into the intricate historical relationships and conflicts between the ancient Turks, Huns, and Chinese dynasties.
#Göktürks, #Ashina dynasty, #Turkic history, #Silk Road, #Rouran, #Western Wei, #Northern Qi, #Sui Dynasty, #Nomadic societies, #Chinese history, #Huns, #Turks in China
Timeline
00:00:Introduction
02:30:The Ashina Dynasty's rise under Bumin and Istemi
08:45:Adventures of Istemi on the Silk Road
15:20:Challenges faced by Eastern rulers of the Göktürks
22:00:The fall of the Rouran and their plea for Chinese support
30:15:The Western Wei's alliance with Bumin and betrayal of the Rouran
38:50:The Northern Qi's efforts to aid the Rouran
45:30:Mukhan Khagan's restoration of order and the rise of the Sui Dynasty
55:00:Conclusion and future threats to the Göktürks