Key Facts
- Duration
- 552 – 657 AD
- Founded by
- Bumin Qaghan (d. 552)
- Predecessor state
- Rouran Khaganate
- Region
- Inner Asia (Central Eurasian steppe)
Imperial Zenith Metrics
Historical Trajectory
Phase I: Rise
Under Bumin Qaghan, the Göktürks overthrew the Rouran Khaganate in 552 AD, rapidly establishing the First Turkic Khaganate across the Inner Asian steppe. Bumin's sons extended Turkic authority from Manchuria to the Black Sea, forging alliances and conducting trade along the Silk Road while subjugating numerous nomadic and sedentary peoples across a vast Eurasian corridor.
Phase II: Zenith
At its height, the First Turkic Khaganate controlled territories stretching from the borders of China to the steppes north of Persia, making it one of the largest political entities of the sixth century. The Göktürks cultivated diplomatic relations with both the Byzantine Empire and Sassanid Persia, facilitated Silk Road commerce, and developed the Old Turkic runic script that recorded their culture and history.
Phase III: Decline
Internal succession disputes split the khaganate into Eastern and Western halves around 582 AD, weakening both against Tang Chinese pressure. The Tang dynasty defeated the Eastern Khaganate in 630 AD and the Western Khaganate by 657 AD, absorbing their territories. Subsequent Turkic groups, including the Second Turkic Khaganate, later revived Göktürk political traditions before the empire was permanently dismantled.
Notable Imperial Reigns
Selected rulers mapping the empire’s trajectory