Foundation of the Uighur Khanate            

     
        Uighur people abolished the Gok-Turk government in the year of 745 and founded a khanate in Ötüken. It was then a union composed of 9 tribes. Pursuant to the annexation of Karluk and Basmil people that they subdued, the number of the tribes in the union increased to 11. The first Uighur ruler, Kutlug Kül Bilge had founded the capital city of Ordubalik (within the environs of the city of Kara-balasagun in the further periods) on the banks of Orhun River and he died in the year of 747. His son, Mo-yen-çur became "kagan" (ruler) in his place ("Tanrıda bolmuş il etmiş Bilge kagan= Bilge Kagan endowed with State by the God 747-759).

 

        As it can be understood from the inscription, he was a very important person in the first period of the Uighur Khanate that was near the Sine-usu lake in today's northern Mongolia. Due to the probable separation of Basmil people from the Uighur union, Mo-yen-çur who was the ruler of Uighur people had fought against the Khirghiz people in the north, Karluk people in the west and Turgiş and Basmil people who helped them, and also Sekiz-oguz, Dokuz-Tatar and Çik people. He had expanded his domination towards the springs of the Yenisey River, the environs of Çu-Talas, the central Asia and Kerulen and he also appointed his sons as yabgu (prince) and şad (minister). However, he was actually influential over China.