Po Beg

Po Beg (personal name Fu Pu) was the khatun (queen) and then hansha (queen mother) of the Second Turkic Khaganate in the early eighth century. Her father was Tonyukuk, an apa tarkan, a title equivalent to prime minister. She married Bilge Khagan (683 or 684-734) before 717, while he was still a tegin (prince).[1]

Khatun

In 734, Bilge was poisoned. Before dying, however, he accused Buyruk Chor, a high governor of the empire, who had previously been to China and had him executed.[2] Bilge's sons succeeded him. After the death of his first son Yollıg Khagan (734-739), his other son Bilge Kutluk Khaghan (also known as Teng-li or Tengri) was enthroned. Bilge Kutluk was young and Po Beg acted like a queen regent. However, the real power was in the hands of two shads (local governors), one in the west and the other in the east. Po Beg tried to centralize the power and planned to execute the two governors. She had the governor in the west executed but Pan Kül Tigin, the governor in the east, became suspicious for his future and he revolted, killing Bilge Kutluk in 742.[3] Two years later, the empire was dissolved following a joint rebel of Uyghurs, Karluks and Basmyls.

During the last days of the empire, Po Beg, together with her clan, took refuge in Tang China. Emperor Xuanzong of Tang greeted her and threw a banquet for her. She was given the title of princess, and was appointed the ruler of her people. According to the New Book of Tang, Xuanzong sent flour to her clan during the harvest season.[4] According to Russian historian Lev Gumilyov (1912–1992), she saved her people but not her nation.[5]

Trivia

Turkish journalist Ahmet Akyol asserts that Buyruk Chor was not responsible for Bilge Khaghan’s death. Probably Po Beg poisoned her husband.[6] Because Bilge Khagan had planned to sign a treaty of commerce with Tang China and as was the custom he would marry a Chinese princess after the signing of the treaty.

References

  1. ↑ Gumilev p. 367
  2. ↑ Gumilev p. 398
  3. ↑ Taşağıl. p. 356-357
  4. ↑ Taşağıl p. 376
  5. ↑ Gumilev p. 442
  6. ↑ "Kim ve Neden Zehirledi ?....." (in Turkish). Ahmet Akyol. Retrieved 2013-04-07.

Sources

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