Özmiş Khagan

Özmiş Khagan (Chinese: 乌苏米施可汗; pinyin: Wūsūmǐshī Kèhán) was the penultimate khagan of the Second Turkic Khaganate.

Özmiş Khagan
Qaghan of the Second Turkic Khaganate
Reign	742–744
Predecessor	Kutluk Yabgu Khagan (claimant) Ashina Shi (Basmyl chief)
Successor	Kulun Beg (in Tujue) Ashina Shi (Basmyl chief)
Born	Ashina Wusimishi 阿史那乌苏米施
Died	(744-01-06)January 6, 744
House	Ashina
Father	Pan Kul Tigin

Background

His father Pan Kul Tigin was a shad (governor) of the Second Turkic Khaganate during the reign of Tengri Khagan. Although Pan Kul Tigin staged a successful coup against Tengri Khagan, he was killed during a battle against Ashina Shi and his Basmyls. Following a short and turbulent period where Kutluk Yabgu Khagan tried to restore the authority without success, Özmiş was elected as the new khagan in 742.

Reign

The policy of Tang China was to vassalize all people to the north of Chinese border and Özmiş was also expected to pay respect. Initially, Özmiş agreed to visit emperor Xuanzong's court and pay respect to him, but he changed his mind and tried to keep his independence. His reluctance annoyed the Emperor and he tasked his general Wang Zhongsi (王忠嗣) with arresting Özmiş. Wang Zhongsi organized a coalition of three Turkic people the Basmyl, Uighurs and Karluks, who had previously accepted the suzerainty of the Chinese emperor, instead of Özmiş. The coalition defeated Özmiş. Although Özmiş escaped he was soon defeated for the second time and was killed in 744 by Ashina Shi.^[1] Although the Turkic people elected Özmiş’s son Kulun Beg as their new khagan, his empire is usually considered have collapsed by the death Özmiş's death.