Göktürks

The Göktürks, also known as the Turkic Khaganate, were a Turkic empire that existed from the 6th to the 8th centuries CE. They were the first state to use the name "Türk" as their name, and their influence spread across Central Asia. The Göktürks were a nomadic people who originated from the Altai Mountains.

The empire was founded by Bumin Qaghan in 552 CE, who united various Turkic tribes under his rule. The Göktürks quickly expanded their territory, conquering neighboring states and establishing a vast empire that stretched from Manchuria to Persia. They were known for their military prowess, their advanced metallurgy, and their development of the Old Turkic script, which was used to write the earliest known Turkic literature.

The Göktürk empire was eventually divided into two branches: the Western Turkic Khaganate and the Eastern Turkic Khaganate. Both branches continued to exert influence in their respective regions, engaging in trade and conflict with neighboring powers. The Western Khaganate eventually fell to the Tang Dynasty of China in 659 CE, while the Eastern Khaganate was conquered by the Second Turkic Khaganate in 682 CE.

Despite their eventual decline, the Göktürks left a lasting legacy. They played a crucial role in the spread of Turkic languages and cultures across Eurasia, and their political and military innovations influenced subsequent Turkic states. The Göktürk alphabet is a significant achievement in the history of writing systems, and their historical records provide valuable insights into the early history of the Turkic peoples.