Bilge Qaghan

Bilge Qaghan (; ; 683 – 25 November 734), born Ashina Mojilian (Chinese:阿史那默棘連), was the fourth qaghan of the Second Turkic Khaganate. His accomplishments were described in the Orkhon inscriptions.

Names As was the custom, his personal name and the name after assuming the title qaghan were different. His personal name was recorded in Chinese characters as . His name after assuming the title was Bilgä Qaγan.

Reign Gold diadem of Bilge Khagan from the burial site at Khoshoo Tsaidam. Qapaghan Qaghan was killed in 716 during his campaign against the Toquz Oghuz alliance with his severed head being sent to Chang'an. Although his son Inel Qaghan succeeded him, Bilge's brother Kul Tigin and Tonyukuk carried out a coup d'état against Inel Qaghan. They killed him and made him Bilge qaghan.

In 733, he defeated rebellious Khitan tribes. He did not die immediately and had time to punish the family of Buyruk Chor with death.

Family He was married to El Etmish Bilge Khatun, Tonyukuk's daughter. He had several children:

Ashina Yiran (阿史那伊然) Ashina Kutluk (阿史那骨咄) 2 unnamed sons who both became puppet Qaghans under Kutluk Yabgu Khagan A daughter who was married to Suluk

Legacy After his death from poisoning, several steles were erected in the capital area by the Orkhon River. These Orkhon inscriptions are the first known texts in Old Turkic.

In popular culture Bilge Qaghan is portrayed by Kang Jae-ik in the 2006–2007 KBS TV series Dae Jo-yeong.