Dates & Big Events
In what year was the Turkic Khaganate founded after Bumin defeated the Rouran (Jujans)?
552 AD
Who was the founder of the Turkic Khaganate who took the title "Elkhan"?
Bumin Khagan
What mountain range is considered the central birthplace/origin area of the Turkic Khaganate?
The Altai Mountains
What major international trade route was completely controlled by the Turkic Khaganate?
The Great Silk Road
In what year did the ethnonym "Turk" first appear in Chinese written sources?
542 AD
Which leader led 10 tumens (100,000 warriors) on the great military campaigns to the West?
Istemi (younger brother of Bumin)
By 555 AD, how far west had the Turks expanded their territory before being temporarily stopped by the Hephthalites?
To the Aral Sea (and Syr Darya region)
What insulting nickname did the Rouran ruler give to the Turks because they paid tribute in metal?
"Iron-smelting slaves"
In which year did the Turkic Khaganate split into the Western and Eastern Khaganates due to civil war?
603 AD
Under which khagan did the Turks defeat the Rouran in 553 AD and force Northern China to pay tribute?
Mukan Khagan
By the 570s AD, what sea formed the westernmost boundary of the Turkic Khaganate's expansion?
The Black Sea (Northern Coast)
What did Northern Chinese kingdoms give to Mukan Khagan each year as tribute?
100 bolts of silk fabric
Between which years did the Turks fight and finally conquer the Hephthalites in Central Asia?
563–567 AD
What title meaning "Ruler of the People" was given to Bumin after his major victory in 552 AD?
Elkhan
Which settled Central Asian group offered fierce resistance to the Turks for ten years before being defeated?
The Hephthalites
Why did the early Turks (5th–7th centuries) practice cremation (burning bodies) instead of burial?
It was connected to the sacred Cult of Fire
In 568 AD, a famous diplomatic embassy was sent to Byzantium. Who led this embassy?
Maniakh (a Sogdian merchant)
Which short-lived khagan ruled briefly between Bumin and Mukan in late 552/553 AD?
Kara-Eske
Which major Chinese river formed the eastern border of the Turkic expansion under Mukan Khagan?
The Yellow River (Huang He)
Which rival empire paid the Turks an annual tribute of 40,000 gold coins after losing control of trade routes?
Sasanian Persia (Iran)