the turkic tribes 419pp.6265-6266, 6271; Wen-hsien t’ung-k’ao 343:9a).
In 651, the Western Turkish empire was reunified by the Sha-po-lo
Qaghan. He attempted to subdue the Eastern Turks as well but was
defeated that year by a combined Chinese-Uighur army. In 657, the
Western Turkish empire came to an end through another joint Chinese-
Uighur action (Chiu T’ang shu 195:2b; Wen-hsien t’ung-k’ao 344:12b).
In the 10th month (Oct./Nov.) of 661 it became known at the T’ang
court that the Uighur chief P’o-jun had died and had been succeeded
by his nephew Pi-su-tu. Subsequently Uighur chiefs were appointed
Military Governors of imaginary Area Commands (Chiu T’ang shu 195:
3a;Tzu-chih t’ung-chien p.6326).
In 716, the Eastern Turkish qaghan Mo-ch’o attacked the Uighurs
and fell in battle. The victors sent his head to the Chinese capital (Chiu
T’ang shu 8:7b; T’ung-tien 198:43a; Tzu-chih t’ung-chien p.6719; Wen-hsien
t’ung-k’ao 343:10a).
In 719, it became known at the T’ang court that the Uighur chief
Fu-ti-fu had died. Emperor Hsüan-tsung conferred on him the post-
humous title of Specially Advanced. His son was appointed a Military
Governor (T’ang hui-yao 98:2a).
In 742, the Uighur sub-chief Ku-li p’ei-lo sent envoys to offer gifts.
At about the same time, another sub-chief, Hsieh-li-t’u-fa, sent envoys
to the T’ang court. He was recognized as King Who Upholds Right-
eousness (Chiu T’ang shu 195:3a;Tzu-chih t’ung-chien p.6856).
In 744, Ku-li p’ei-lo attacked and defeated the Basmil and then
adopted the title of Ku-to-lu-p’i-chia-ch’üeh Qaghan. He sent envoys
to the T’ang court and was recognized as Qaghan Who Cherishes
Benevolence.^49 In 745, he attacked the Po-mei Qaghan of the Eastern
Turks, killed him, and sent his head to Ch’ang-an. T’ai-tsung appointed
him as Supernumerary General-in-chief of the Resolute Guards of
the Left. Henceforth, the Uighurs possessed the old territory of the
Eastern Turks, and the Uighur empire had begun. Its capital was
Karabalghasun at the upper Orkhon River (Chiu T’ang shu 194A:17a;
195:3a; Tzu-chih t’ung-chien p.6863; Wen-hsien t’ung-k’ao 343:11a).
In the 9th month (Sep./Oct.) of 745, an envoy from the Nine Tribes
was received at the T’ang court (Ts’e-fu yüan-kuei p.5030).
In 745, the Ku-to-lu-p’i-chia-ch’üeh Qaghan received from Emperor
Hsüan-tsung the title of Specially Advanced (T’ang hui-yao 98:2b). He
(^49) Hsin T’ang shu 217A:3a and T’ang hui-yao 98:2b date the recognition 746.