Bumin (Illig Khan)
The chief who defeated the Rouran and founded the Turkic Khaganate.
Life
Blacksmith tribe
The Turks were originally a tribe under Rouran rule, known for their ironworking. During Bumin's reign his people grew steadily stronger; in 546 he defeated the Tiele tribes that were about to attack the Rouran and accepted the surrender of more than 50,000 households.
Marriage proposal rebuffed
He asked the Rouran khan Anagui for a princess in marriage but was insulted and refused, so he turned to friendship with Western Wei, and in 551 married Princess Changle of Western Wei. In 552 he led his army to crush the Rouran; Anagui committed suicide, and Bumin proclaimed himself Illig Khan, founding the Turkic Khaganate.
Illig Khan
He died the same year. Afterward his younger brother Istämi managed the western territories, while his son Muqan Khan unified the steppe.
Legacy
The Turkic Khaganate founded by Bumin (Tumen) ruled a vast area from the Mongolian Plateau to Central Asia, and from then on the name of the Turks spread across Eurasia.
Did you know? When the Rouran khan refused a marriage alliance, he insulted the Turks as "my blacksmith slaves," meaning slaves who forged iron for the Rouran.
Key dates
- 546Defeated the Tiele tribes
- 551Married Princess Changle of Western Wei
- 552Crushed the Rouran and took the title Illig Khan; died