Qapaghan Qaghan

Qapaghan Qaghan or Qapghan Qaghan (Old Turkic: , Qapaγan qaγan, simplified Chinese: 迁善; traditional Chinese: 遷善; pinyin: Qiānshàn, Chinese: 阿史那•默啜; pinyin: Āshǐnà Mòchuò-716) was the second Khaghan of the Second Turkic Khaganate during Wu Zetian's reign and is brother to Ilteris Sad.

Ashina Mo-ch'o was a member and descendant of the Ashina clan that had ruled over the previous Eastern Turkic Khaganate, which fell in 659. In 681, Mo-ch'o assisted his brother, Kutlugh, in a revolt against Tang dominion, and succeeded in reviving the Eastern Turkic Khaganate.

The revived Turkic Khaganate reached its greatest extent during the reign of Qapagan Khaghan. He notably encouraged the Khitan's Li-Sun Rebellion (696-697) to eventually attack and plunder successful Khitan on their rear, to his full benefit. Qapagan, who was on his way back from suppressing the revolting Tiele tribes of Huihe, Tongluo, Baixi, Bayegu and Pugu, was ambushed killed by a Bayegu tribesman named Xiezhilue (颉质略) on July 22, 716. The name Qapagan (in Turkish sources Kapgan, Kapagan or Kapağan ) comes from the Old Turkic word "kap-" meaning "to conquer", so the derivative Kapgan means "the Conqueror". He was succeeded by his son Inel Qaghan (716).

He was killed in his campaign against Toquz Oghuz and his chopped head was sent to Changan. After his death, Kul Tigin and Tonyukuk carried out a coup d'état and killed Qapaghan's son and brothers and made Bilge Qaghan a qaghan.

See also

• Gokturk

Sources

• Turks in the Tang military

Qapaghan Qaghan Ashina Clan
Preceded by Ilterish Qaghan	Khagan of the Second Eastern Turkic Khaganate 694–716	Succeeded by Inel Qaghan