Ishbara Qaghan

Ishbara Khagan (Old Turkic: 𐰃𐱁𐰉𐰺𐰀𐰴𐰍𐰣, Ïšbara qaγan, , personal name Ashina Helu ) (ruled 651–658) was the last khagan of the Western Turkic Khaganate.

Name His underlying Turkic name, transcribed with Chinese characters 賀魯, was debated among scholars. Gumilyov proposed Hallïğ, meaning "Elevated". Von Gabain proposed name Kullïğ (slave owner). Gömeç argued for Uluğ meaning "Great". Meanwhile, Kapusuzoğlu proposed Kutluğ (Blessed) as his underlying Turkic name. Zuev (1960) linked the Khagan personal name Helu (< MC *ɣa-lou) with the tribal name Khallukh attested by Persian and Arab writers, and asserted that by the 7th century Helu's tribe was dynastic; later, however, Zuev (2002) proposed that Chinese Helu reflects Turkic *aru ~ arïğ "pure, light".

Biography

Early years Ashina Helu's parentage is uncertain. According to Gumilov his father was Böri Shad, Ashina Xiyun was appointed crown prince with the title Bagatur Yabgu.

After formally reasserting independence from the Tang, he commanded raids to Jin Ling (金嶺城, near modern Shanshan, Xinjiang) and Pulei (蒲類縣). Emperor Gaozong stripped him of Chinese titles and ordered Qibi Heli and Liang Jianfang (梁建方) to secure border areas.

Conflicts also began in southern border when Zhenzhu Yabgu (son of Irbis Dulu Qaghan) started major incursions to Western Turkic territory. Later Zhenzhu contacted the Tang to receive soldiers and requested to be made a khagan in 655. Yuan Lichen (元礼臣) was ordered by Gaozong to visit Zhenzhu on 8 November 656 to make him khagan, but he was stopped by Helu's soldiers near Suyab, causing Zhenzhu to lose much prestige.

Emperor Gaozong spared him after 15 days and he lived out his days at the Tang capital Chang'an. He was buried near Illig Qaghan's memorial.