Ashina Xichun

Ashina Xichun, also known as Chuluo Khagan (Turkic: Çula Han, simplified Chinese: 处罗; traditional Chinese: 處羅; pinyin: Chùluo Kěhàn, Middle Chinese: (Guangyun) [tɕʰi̯o˥lɑ˩ kʰɑ˥ɣɑn˩˥], died c.December 620), was the khagan of the Eastern Turkic Khaganate, and second son of Yami Qaghan. He succeeded his elder brother Shibi and ruled for 18 months.

Chuluo Khagan 處羅可汗
Third Khagan of the Eastern Turkic Khaganate
Reign	619 - c.December 620
Predecessor	Shibi Qaghan
Successor	Illig Qaghan
Born	Ashina Xichun 阿史那奚纯
Died	c.December 620[1] Ordu Baliq
Spouse	Princess Yicheng (義成公主)
Issue	Ashina Momo Ashina She'er Shi Danai
House	Ashina
Father	Yami Qaghan
Religion	Tengrism

Reign

Since Ashina Shibobi was still a minor, Ilteber shad (Chinese: 俟利弗設; pinyin: sìlìfú shè) succeeded his elder brother as khagan, also creating him Nipu shad and appointing eastern territories to him.^[2] He terminated the campaign started by his brother after receiving a large tribute from Tang.

Nevertheless, he created Yang Zhengdao, a posthumous son of Yang Jian, as puppet King of Sui (隋國王). Starting to plan a major assault as advised by Liang Shidu, he became allied to Wang Shichong and Dou Jiande. As part of the plan, he requested Dou to cross the Taihang Mountains and meet him at Jin (晉州, roughly modern Linfen, Shanxi) and Jiang (絳州, roughly modern Yuncheng, Shanxi) Prefectures.

However he died from illness, possibly poisoned by the Minister of Ceremonies (Chinese: 太常卿; pinyin: tàichángqīng) Zheng Yuanshu (鄭元璹).^[3] Perpetrators were executed by Illig Qaghan.^[4]

Family

He married the Sui dynasty's Princess Yicheng (義成公主) in heqin, the former wife of Qimin in levirate marriage along with other wives. Issues:

• Ashina Momo (阿史那摸末, 607 - 649) - was titled Yushe shad (郁射設) and married to someone of Imperial Li (李) clan.^[5]
  • Ashina Wushi (阿史那勿施, d.683)
    • Ashina Dachen (阿史那大臣)
    • Ashina Yanchen (阿史那彦臣)
    • Ashina Dichen (阿史那帝臣)
    • Ashina Mingchen (阿史那名臣)
    • Ashina Jianchen (阿史那諫臣)
• Ashina She'er (阿史那社爾, 609-655) - was titled To shad in youth and married to Princess Hengyang (衡陽公主), daughter of Gaozu.
  • Ashina Daozhen (阿史那道真) - a general in Tang army.
• Ashina Danai (阿史那大奈), later changed his name to Shi Danai (史大奈) - a general in Tang army.^[6]

References

1. Vol. 188 of Zizhi Tongjian indicate that Chuluo Khagan died in the 11th month of the 3rd year of the Wu'de era of Tang Gaozu's reign, before the yiyou day (25 Dec 620, the day where Chuluo's successor Illig Qaghan sent envoys to inform the Tang court of the death). The month starts from 30 Nov 620 in the Julian calendar.
2. Sima Guang, Zizhi Tongjian, Vol. 187.
3. Sima Guang, Zizhi Tongjian, Vol. 189.
4. Ahmet., Taşağil (1995–2004). Gök-Türkler. Atatürk Kültür, Dil, ve Tarih Yüksek Kurumu (Turkey). Ankara: Türk Tarih Kurumu Basımevi. ISBN 975161113X. OCLC 33892575.
5. Tomb of Ashina Momo
6. New Book of Tang, vol 110.

Sources

• Zongzheng, Xue (1992). "A History of Turks". Beijing: Chinese Social Sciences Press. ISBN 7-5004-0432-8. p. 208-213.

Ashina Xichun Ashina Clan
Preceded by Shibi Qaghan	Khagan of the Eastern Turkic Khaganate 619–621	Succeeded by Illig Qaghan