Wuzhile () (reconstructed

Old Turkic Old Turkic (also East Old Turkic, Orkhon Turkic language, Old Uyghur) is the earliest attested form of the Turkic languages, found in Göktürk and Uyghur Khaganate inscriptions dating from about the eighth to the 13th century. It is the old ...

*Üç EligS.G. Klyashtorny's reconstruction cited in or *Oçırlıq, ultimately from Pali Vajira) was the first Turgesh Qaghan, from the Sary (Yellow) Türgesh faction.

Early life

He was titled Bagha Tarkhan (莫贺达干) during reign of

Ashina Huseluo Ashina Huseluo (693–704) was a puppet khagan installed by Wu Zetian of the Wu Zhou dynasty. Life Ashina Huseluo was the son of Ashina Buzhen who died in 667. His original title was Böri shad (歩利設). As a youth he saw Tang influence dec ...

and unlike him was kind to his subjects. He took advantage of

Ashina Tuizi Ashina Tuizi (693-700) — was a claimant Qaghan of Western Turkic Khaganate following invasion of Tang dynasty. Life He escaped Tang dynasty, Tang after execution of his father at the hand of Lai Junchen. After arriving in Tibetan Empire in 693 ...

rebellion to assert independence. He captured regional capital Suyab in 699 and became a major force in the area.Naito, M. History of the Western Turks, pp. 324–328, 1988 Tokyo (''in Japanese'') Afterwards, Huseluo did not dare to turn back from Changan.'' New Book of Tang''
vol 215B
/ref> Wuzhile had 20 generals with each commanding 7000 soldiers.

Reign

After his expulsion of Western Turkic forces, he consolidated his rule around Suyab, while designating valley of Ili River as his second residence. He sent his son Zhenu (遮努) as an envoy on 12 August 699 to court of

Wu Zetian Wu Zetian (17 February 624 – 16 December 705), personal name Wu Zhao, was the ''de facto'' ruler of the Tang dynasty from 665 to 705, ruling first through others and then (from 690) in her own right. From 665 to 690, she was first empres ...

Changan Chang'an (; ) is the traditional name of Xi'an. The site had been settled since Neolithic times, during which the Yangshao culture was established in Banpo, in the city's suburbs. Furthermore, in the northern vicinity of modern Xi'an, Qin Shi ...

. He was created Prince of Huaide (郡王懷德) in 706.

Death

Later that year,

Guo Yuanzhen Guo Yuanzhen (郭元振; 656–713), formal name Guo Zhen () but went by the courtesy name of Yuanzhen, was an official, general, and diplomat of Tang and Zhou China, serving as a chancellor during the reigns of Emperor Ruizong and Emperor Xuanzo ...

- the new Protectorate General to Pacify the West - arrived at Turgesh tribe to meet with Wuzhile to discuss military matters. They met outside Wuzhile's tent, and It was cold and snowing at the time, but Guo did not move. Wuzhile, however, was old and could not stand the cold. He was created Prince of Xihe (郡王西河), however, he died in 706 before the envoy arrived. Wuzhile's son Suoge (娑葛), believing that Guo's acts were deliberate, gathered his troops and got ready to attack Guo. Guo's deputy Jie Wan (解琬) became aware of this and suggested that they flee. Guo declined—stating that he felt that he needed to show sincerity, and that given that they were deep in Tuqishi territory, they could not get away anyway. The next day, he went to mourn Wuzhile, and showed sincere emotions in doing so. Suoge was touched and made peace with him.{{Citation needed, date=June 2020

Religion

According to Yuri Zuev, he was a manichaeist.

References

7th-century rulers in Asia 7th-century Turkic people 8th-century rulers in Asia 8th-century Turkic people 706 deaths Türgesh rulers Founding monarchs