Suoge

Suoge (Chinese: 娑葛; Kazakh: Сақал Соге) — was a Turgesh chieftain and khagan. Yuri Zuev claims he was Manichaeist and his name was in fact derived from Sakla - creator of world according to Manichean belief.^[1]

Early reign

Suoge succeeded his father Wuzhile to Turgesh throne. However, Tang court did not acknowledge him as khagan, but rather appointed him as Commander of Walu Province (嗢鹿州都督) and gave him the title of Prince of Huaide (懷徳郡王), making him theoretically a subordinate of Ashina Huaidao (who was Shixing Qaghan).^[2] Later deputy of Guo Yuanzhen - Jie Wan (解琬) was sent to bestow him the title of Prince of Jinhe (金河郡王) in 708.

Conflict with Tang

However, relationship with Tang soon worsened. His subordinate Juechuo Zhongjie (闕啜忠節)^[3] was unwilling to submit to Suoge. However, Juechuo was unable to prevail over Suoge, and in 708, at Guo Yuanzhen's suggestion, he was set to give up his forces and go to the Tang capital Chang'an, when the Tang general Zhou Yiti (周以悌) suggested to him the idea of bribing the chancellors Zong Chuke and Ji Chuna to launch an attack against Suoge. Juechuo did so, and Zong, after Juechuo's bribery, proposed to Emperor Zhongzong the idea of attacking Suoge in alliance with the Tibetan Empire, which Emperor Zhongzong agreed despite Guo's opposition. Emperor appointed Ashina Xian (a son of Ashina Yuanqing) as Shixing Qaghan and sent him to capture Suyab.^[4] Zhongjie was captured and Xian was defeated by Suoge.

His brother Zhenu (遮努) gathered 20.000 strong army successfully attacked several Tang outposts - Kucha, Bohuan (modern Aksu, Xinjiang), Yanqi and Yingzhan. As Guo was hesitant to send an army to Shule, Suoge grow more self-reliant and declared himself as khagan. Suoge later sent an envoy to Chang'an to demand that Zong be executed after wreaking havoc to Anxi. As a response Guo was replaced by Zhou Yiti. Subsequently, Suoge sent a letter to Guo claiming his innocence, who in turn reported the facts of the situation to Emperor Zhongzong, which led to Zong's accusing him of treason. However, Emperor Zhongzong agreed with Guo and sent a peace envoy to make peace with Suoge and creating him Shisixing Qaghan (Chinese: 十四姓可汗; literally: "Khagan of Fourteen Tribes") in 709, meanwhile also sending Zhou Yiti to exile in Baizhou.

End of reign

According to Takeshi Osawa, mediator in peace talks was Kyrgyz Khaganate's ruler Bars Bek^[5] - a puppet khagan under Qapaghan Qaghan, who was a brother-in-law^[6][7] to future Bilge Qaghan. Bars Bek secretly plotted a triple alliance with Tang and Turgesh, however Tonyukuk heard his plans with help of Zhenu (遮努), Suoge's brother who rebelled against him and deserted to Second Turkic Khaganate.^[8] Tonyukuk made a surprise attack on Kirghiz at night in 710.^[9] Bars Bek was killed and Tonyukuk later headed on Turgesh. However, Qapaghan's khatun died soon, which caused khagan to order to halt attack. Suoge used this opportunity move ahead, only to see Tonyukuk changed his mind and disobeyed the order, ambushing Suoge. After disastrous defeat at Battle of Bolchu he was executed by future Bilge Qaghan. His lands were given as an appanage to Inal, son of Qapaghan.

References