Below is the identified timeline of the History of the Turkic peoples between 6th and 14th centuries. Although the chronology of the Seljuq Sultanate of Rûm is covered in this timeline, for a more detailed timeline for the Seljuq Sultanate of Rûm see Timeline of the Seljuq Sultanate of Rûm. For a timeline of the modern Turkish state and its legal predecessor see Timeline of the Ottoman Empire and Timeline of Turkish history. Beyond what is described in this timeline, Turkic peoples have lived outside of the Ottoman Empire and Turkey, such as in Azerbaijan and the Central Asian republics of former USSR as well as Russia, China, and Iran.
A Western Wei envoy to the Altai mountains. First mention of Bumin, as the leader of the Ashina clan (the leaders of Turks).
551
Bumin declares independence of the Turks around Altai mountains, conquers Ötüken in Mongolian Plateau and takes the title khagan (qaghan). His empire is known as Turkic Khanate or more popularly Göktürk (Celestial Turk).
552
Shortly after sending his brother Istemi to the Western Regions as his yabgu (vassal), Bumin Qaghan dies. His elder son Issık becomes the khagan
554
Bumin's second son Muqan Qaghan becomes the khagan. After a series of successful campaigns the Göktürks begin to control the silk road.
558
In alliance with Sassanid Persia, Istemi defeats the Hephthalites and conquers Transoxania.
568
An alliance with the Byzantine Empire under Justin II is formed after a delegation of the Turks led by Sogdian Maniah arrive in Constantinople to trade silk with the Byzantines.
572
Taspar Qaghan, the youngest son of Bumin becomes the khagan after the death of his brother.
576
The alliance with the Byzantines ceases after the Byzantines (contrary to their agreement) accept a treaty with Avars, enemies of the Göktürks. The Göktürks seize a Byzantine stronghold in the Crimea.
580
Agathias includes Burgunds (a Germanictribe) and Ultizurs among the Hunnic circle tribes,together with Turkic Cotrigurs and Utigurs.[1][2]
581
Tardush, the second yabgu in the west lay siege to Tauric Chersonesus in Crimea.
581
Two rival states in China begin to pay annual tribute to the Turkic Khaganate.
Tardush de facto ruler of the west. Period of dual khaganates. From now on the west khaganate is also called Onok.
588
First Perso-Turkic War. An attempt of the Turkic Khaganate to invade Afghanistan. But Bahram Chobin of Persia defeats the Turkic Khaganate.
593
End of Turkic interregnum.
7th century[]
Year
Event
609
Shibi Khan becomes the khagan of the Eastern Turkic Khaganate.
615
Shibi Khan's advisor is executed by Pei Ju at a negotiation in Mayi; the khan retaliates by invading Yanmen Commandery during a visit there by Emperor Yang, besieging him and his court at the commandery seat (present-day Daixian, Shanxi). He lifts the siege following a false report from his wife, the Sui princess Yicheng, that the khaganate is under attack from the north.
618
Tong Yabghu Qaghan becomes the khagan of the Western Turkic Khaganate. He is also known as Ziebel the founder of Khazar state (or Khazaria) in Caucasus as a part of Onok.
Tang China supports a revolt of vassals of eastern khaganate. Tang army under the command of Li Jing defeats the Eastern Turkic Khaganate at Battle of Yinshan. Emperor Taizong says It's enough for me to compensate my dishonor at Wei River (626).[3] East khaganate becomes vassal of China.
632
Khan Kubrat based Old Great Bulgaria
638
The two wings of the Western Turkic Kaganate (Nushibi and Tulo) split, with the Ili river as the boundary.
639
Ashina Jiesheshuai's unsuccessful raid against Jiucheng Palace. (In popular Turkish culture, Ashina Jiesheshuai is identified as Kürşat )
640
Yukuk Shad tries to unite the Onok tribes, but soon escapes to Kunduz in Afghanistan.
China dispatches a military campaign that defeats the western khaganate. Western khaganate becomes vassal of China. During power vacuum, Turgesh tribe emerges as the leading power of Onok.
664
Peace treaty between Caucasian Albania King Javanshir (636-669) and Caucasian HunsElteberAlp Ilitver with conditions of dynastic marriage union, Huns' takeover of all Albanian fortresses, annual tribute to the Huns, and Huns obligation to defend Albania from Arab aggression.[4]
679
and who were Turkic leaders of made a Turkic qaghan and revolts against Tang dynasty.[5]
680
Pei Xingjian defeated Ashina Nishu Beg and his army. Ashina Nishu Beg was killed by his men.[5]
Treaty of 681 was concluded between BulgarKhanAsparukh and Byzantine Emperor Constantine IV Pogonatus. The peace treaty recognized Asparukh's control over captured Byzantine territories
681
Ashide Wenfu and Ashina Funian surrendered to Pei Xingjian. 54 Turks (including Ashide Wenfu, Ashina Funian) were publicly executed in the Eastern Market of Chang'an.[5]
681
Ashina Kutlug revolts with the remnants of Ashina Funian's men.
682
Ashina Kutlug becomes Ilterish Qaghan and establishes the Second Eastern Turkic Khaganate.
685
Ilterish Qaghan defeats the Chinese in .[citation needed]
694
Death of Ilterish Qaghan. Qapaghan Qaghan becomes the second khagan.
698
Qapagan annexes Turkestan[citation needed] (On Oq territory).[6] against Turgesh.
8th century[]
Year
Event
704
Umayyad governor Qutaibah bin Muslim invades Transoxiana.
711
in the Battle of Bolchu Turkic army defeats Turgesh.
713
Turco-Arab wars in Transoxiana. Arab victory leads to shift of power in Turkestan from Turkic Khaganate to their Turgesh vassals again.
716
First treaty with known terms between Byzantine Emperor Theodosios III and Danube BulgariaKhan Tervel delineating borders, fixing the size of Byzantine annual tribute to the Khan at 30 lb. of gold, exchange of prisoners, return of refugees, and unimpeded trade between the two countries[7]
716
Qapaghan Qaghan was killed in his campaign against Toquz Oghuz and his head was sent to Changan.[8]Kul Tigin carried out a coup d'état. They killed Qapaghan's son and brothers and made Bilge Qaghan a Kaghan.[8]
716 (?)
The first written records in Old Turkic language. Bain Tsokto inscriptions of Tonyukuk. (These monuments have been erected by himself, a few years before his death.)
717
Inel Qaghan gets overthrown by Kul Tigin. Bilge Kaghan ascends to the throne.
717
Suluk becomes Turgesh Khaghan.
718
A short period of stability in Turkic Empire. Bilge and his triumvirate (Kültiğin and Tonyukuk) suppress all revolts.
723
Governor of Umayyad Arabs massacres Turks and Sogdian refugees for the second time in Khujand
724
Turgesh Kaghan Suluk defeats superior Umayyad Arab armies by his hit and run tactics so called "The Day of Thirst" (Yawm al-'Atash)[9]
728
Turgesh Qaghan Suluk defeats Umayyad Arab armies for the second time.
730
Khazars defeat Umayyad Arab armies in southern Caucasus. But victorious general Barjik dies in the battle.
734
Death of Bilge Khagan.
735
Khöshöö Tsaidam Monuments of Bilge Khagan and his brother Kül Tigin. (Bilge has already erected Kül Tigin's monument and Bilge's son erects Bilge's monument.) Together with Bain Tsokto monument of Tonyukuk, these monuments are called Orkhon monuments. (In 2004 the monuments are included in List of World Heritage Sites in Asia and Australasia)
737
Umayyad Arabs defeat Khazars and capture Khazar capital Balanjar. Khazars soon after drive Arabs back. But the capital is shifted to Atil.
738
Suluk is assassinated.
740
Khazar khan Bulan embraces Judaism. But the subjects are free to choose their religion.
744
Turkic subjects like Basmyl, Uyghur and Karluk who are not the members of Ashina clan stage a coup. End of Ashina clan. (except in Khazaria)
745
First Uyghur khan . Uygurs replace Turkic Khaganate in the east and their vassal Karluks begin to conquer the former On Oq territory in the west.
747
Second Uyghur khan Bayanchur Khan who begins the construction of a big capital city Ordu Baliq
750
In Arab Empire Umayyad dynasty ends. Abbasid policy more tolerant to Turks.
751
Arabs defeat Chinese in the Battle of Talas during which 20,000 Karluk mercenaries switch to the Arab side in the middle of the battle.
Karluks defeat Turgesh. Most of Turkestan (former Onak territory) under Karluk rule. But in the west of Lake Aral a loose confederation named Oghuz Yabgu State emerges.
789
house replaces house in Uighur Kaganate.
9th century[]
Year
Event
815
Thirty Years’ Peace Treaty of 815 was signed in Constantinople between the Bulgarian Khan Omurtag and the Byzantine Emperor Leo V the Armenian about 30-years peace
821
Uyghurs repulse Tibetans
836
The capital of the Caliphate (Arabic Empire) is moved from Baghdad to the new city of Samarra by Caliph Al-Mu'tasim because of unrest caused by Turkic slave soldiers (named Mameluk). (Mameluk practice has begun shortly after Battle of Talas)
840
Yenisei Kirghiz (north) defeat Uyghurs. End of the main khaganate. But Uyghurs flee to south west.
848
Some Uyghur refugees establish a small state in Gansu, north China.
850
Supported by Uyghur refugees Karluks establish the state of Karakhanids in Transoxiana.
856
A third group of Uyghur refugees establish another state in Turpan, present day Xinjiang, west China.
868
Ahmad ibn Tulun, a Turkic mameluk general in Arab army founds Tulunid dynasty in Egypt.
881
Three Khazar tribes collectively named Kabar diverge from the main body and move westwards together with the seven tribes of Magyars.
892
Khazars force Pechenegs to west who in turn force Magyars to Hungary.
898
between the Bulgarian Tsar Simeon and the Byzantine Emperor Leo Choerosphactus after a devastating unprovoked war on Bulgaria from two sides and final Bulgarian victory resumes Byzantine payment of annual tribute to Danube Bulgaria[11][12]
10th century[]
Year
Event
914
was a peace treaty concluded between Pechenegs and a prince of Rus principality Igor
924
Mongols of Khitan drive Kyrgyz out of Mongolia. Some Kyrgyz return to Yenisei region and some flee to present day Kyrgyzstan.
932
Saltuk Buğra Khan of Karakhanids embrace Islam. The first Turkic monarch to do so.
940
Byzantine-Kievan Rus' alliance against Khazars. Khazar Khanate loses Crimea.
941
Gansu state (Sari Uyghurs) becomes vassal of China.
Under Sebük Tekin Ghaznavids become a Muslim sultanate (empire).
985
A big Turkic tribe (Kinik) under the leadership of Seljuk migrates from Khazar (Oguz ?) territory to suburbs of the city Jend (which is now in South Kazakhstan).
999
Dissolution of Oguz confederation by Kipchaks.
11th century[]
Year
Event
1016
Khazar Kaganate dissolves under pressure from Rus-Kyiv and Kipchaks.
1037
Rus-Kyiv defeat Pechenegs.
1038
Seljuk's grandsons Tugrul and Chaghri conquer the historical city of Merv in present-day Turkmenistan and declare independence. Beginning of the Great Seljuk Empire.
1040
Tugrul and Chagri of Seljuk Turks defeat a Ghaznavid army at the battle of Dandanaqan and begin to settle in eastern Persia.
1042
Civil war in Karakhanid territory. East and west Karakhanids.
1048
Ibrahim Yinal (Tugrul's uterine brother) of Seljuk Turks defeat a Byzantine-Georgian army at Battle of Pasinler (also called battle of Kapetrou). Turks in East Anatolia.
1050
Pechenegs raid Byzantine territories.
1055
After a series of victories Tughrul is declared sultan (of Great Seljuk Sultanate) by the caliph.
Alp Arslan of Seljuk Turks defeat Romanos Diogenes of Byzantine in the battle of Manzikert.
1072
Death of Alp Arslan. Malik Shah becomes the sultan.
1072
Danishmend Gazi who is the hero of epic tales Danishmendname founds a principality around Sivas, central Anatolia (i.e., Asiatic side of present Turkey).
1072
Dīwān Lughāt al-Turk was written by Mahmud al-Kashgari of Karakhanids to be presented to Abbasid Caliphate.
1077
Süleyman I (a cousin of Melik Shah) founds a state in what is now west Turkey. Although a vassal of Great Seljuk Empire it soon becomes totally independent. (Seljuks of Rum, Seljuk Sultanate of Rum, Sultanate of Rum, Seljuks of Turkey, Seljuks of Anatolia, Sultanate of Iconium are among the many names used for this state)
1077
Emergence of Khwarezm dynasty as a vassal of Great Seljuk Empire.
1081
Tzachas of Smyrna founds a beylik (principality) in İzmir, Western Anatolia and emerges as the first sea power in Turkish history.
1085
Tutush I, Malik Shah's brother founds a short lived principality in Syria.
End of Danishmends. Their territory is annexed by Kılıç Arslan II.
1190
German Holy Roman emperor Frederick I Barbarossa and a contingent of the Third Crusade defeat the Turks at the Battle of Konya (Iconium) in Southern Anatolia. He subsequently drowns whilst crossing the Göksu River, near Silifke.
13th century[]
Year
Event
1202
Seljuk Sultanate of Rûm defeat Saltukid principality and annex north eastern Anatolia.
1205
After the disintegration of Great Seljuk Sultanate, Kharzem shahs declare independence and conquer most of former Seljuk territory.
1206
Slave dynasty of Delhi established by Qutb-ud-din Aybak in India.
1209
Turpan Uyghurs become vassals of the Mongols.
1209
Birth of Nasreddin a satirical Sufi figure in Akşehir, Western Anatolia. His anecdotes and jokes, especially those involving Mongol overlords after 1243, are always very popular in all Turkish-speaking countries.
1211
Mongolic Khitans end East Karakhanids.
1212
Khwarezm shahs end West Karakhanids.
1220
Alaaddin Keykubat I becomes the Seljuk Sultan of Rûm.
1220
Mongols end Khwarezm Shāh.
1224
The Qarlughids of Bamyan and Kurraman is establish their kingdom.
1230
Alaaddin Keykubat I of Seljuks defeats Jalal ad-Din Mingburnu in the battle of Yassıçemen
1236
Razia Sultana of Delhi sultanate, the first female ruler in Islamic countries.
1239
Revolt of Baba Ishak. A revolt of Turkmen (Oguz) and Khwarezm refugees who have recently arrived in Anatolia. (The revolt is bloodily suppressed. But the sultanate loses power.)
Aybek, a member of a cast of Kıpchack soldiers establishes Mameluk dynasty in Egypt
1260
Mameluk general (later sultan) Baybars defeats Ilkhanate leader Hulagu in Battle of Ayn Jalut.
1277
Karamanoğlu Mehmet Bey a semi independent bey (prince) in Anatolia (also a short term vizier of Seljuks) declares Turkish as the official language in his reign.
1293
Codex Cumanicus A Kipchack dictionary written for Latins.
1299
Ottoman beylik was founded by Osman I
See also[]
Oghuz Turks
List of Turkic states and empires
Historic states represented in Turkish presidential seal
^Gmyrya L. Hun Country At The Caspian Gate, Dagestan, Makhachkala 1995, pp. 29, 199, ISВN 5-297-01099-3 (Strana Gunnov u Kaspiyskix vorot, Dagestan, Makhachkala, 1995)
^Al-Tabarī, Tārīkh al-rusul wa-al-mulūk, The History of al-Tabari, Vol. XXVI: The waning of the Umayyad caliphate, SUNY Press, 1989, ISBN978-0-88706-810-2, p. 27.
^Runciman S., A history of the First Bulgarian empire, London, G.Bell & Sons, 1930, pp. 37, 289
^Runciman S., A history of the First Bulgarian empire, London, G.Bell & Sons, 1930, p. 149
^Treadgold, Warren A History of the Byzantine State and Society. Stanford: Stanford University Press, 1997, p. 464, ISBN0-8047-2630-2
^The Tomb of Omar Khayyâm, George Sarton, Isis, Vol. 29, No. 1 (July , 1938):16.
1These are traditional areas of settlement; the Turkic group has been living in the listed country/region for centuries and should not be confused with modern diasporas. 2State with limited international recognition.