Shikui Khagan

Shikui Khagan (r. 611–619 or possibly 610–617;^[1] Middle Chinese: *ʑia-gwi; Middle Persian Zyk, Žeg^[2]) was the third khagan of the Western Turkic Khaganate. He was the grandson of Tardu (575–603) through his son Tulu (都六).

Shikui Kaghan
Qaghan of the Western Turkic Khaganate
Reign	611–618
Predecessor	Heshana Khagan
Successor	Tong Yabghu Khagan
Died	618 Suyab
House	Ashina
Father	Tulu Tegin (都六)
Religion	Tengrism

Background

The Western Turkic Khaganate in present-day Turkestan was founded as the result of the partition of the First Turkic Khaganate after the death of Tardu in 603. It was also called On Ok ("Ten arrows") referring to ten powerful tribes in the khaganate. Five tribes (called Duolu) to the northeast and five tribes to the southwest (called Nushibi) formed the two rival factions, the border line being the Ili River.

After partitioning

Shikui Khagan was Tardu's grandson and governor of Chach (Tashkent)^[3] He was expected to be enthroned after the death of Tardu. But the Dulu faction enthroned Ashina Daman (later known as Heshana Qaghan) who was a generation younger than Shekui. But Daman was a very inexperienced ruler and was a puppet of the Dulu clan. The Nushibi clan as well as Silk Road merchants who suffered from the increasing anarchy supported Shikuito throne in 611. When Daman affiliated partisans arrested a Chinese ambassador to Shekui, Shikuirevolted and Daman had to flee to Sui China where he was killed.^[4]

Shikuimaintained order in the khaganate and provided security on the Silk Road. His reign marks the beginning of Nushibi supremacy. In 618, he was succeeded by his brother Tong during whose reign Western Turkic Khaganate reached to apogee.