Ashina Sunishi

Ashina Sunishi (? – 634, ) was a general from the Eastern Turkic Khaganate in the Tang dynasty. Family The Old Book of Tang describes him as a clan nephew (son of a male cousin) of Illig Qaghan, while New Book of Tang says he was the younger brother of Qimin Qaghan (father of Illig), and the Zizhi Tongjian, however, describes him as uterine brother of Qimin Qaghan. Ashina Zhong's tomb epitaph portrays him as a son of Yongzhou Qaghan and a grandson of Dayuan . Wu Yugui argued that they were Ishbara Qaghan and Issik Qaghan respectively. Life It was reported that Shibi Khagan greatly valued Ashina Sunishi and appointed him as Ishbara Shad, commanding tribes of 50,000 households, establishing his headquarters northwest of Lingzhou. Sunishi was considered brave, valiant, and benevolent, winning the hearts of the tribes. When Tang forced invaded Eastern Khaganate and Illig Qaghan's political situation descended into chaos, Sunishi's tribes remained loyal without divided allegiances. He was promoted to Lesser Qaghan when Ashina Shihobi fled to Tang.

During the fall of the Qaghanate, Illig tried to escape to Tuyuhun kingdom, where his mother was from. However, Taizong's cousin Li Daozong, caught with him and demanded Sunishi hand over Illig. Illig on the other hand, led several cavalrymen and fled at night towards Helan Mountains, hiding in a desolate valley. Sunishi, in fear, urgently dispatched cavalry to capture and bring Illig back. Vice-commander Zhang Baoxiang soon led a large army to surround Sunishi's camp, captured Illig and sent him back to Chang'an on May 2, 630 while Sunishi surrendered.

He was created Prince of Huaide Commandery by Taizong 6 days later. On June 4, 630 he was appointed as Governor of Beining Prefecture and Right Guard Great General. This prefecture was reorganized into in 633, where Sunishi continued to serve as the head. Next year, Sunishi passed away right after Illig Qaghan in 634 (New Book of Tang says he committed suicide).