Ishbara Qaghan (Old Turkic:𐰃𐱁𐰉𐰺𐰀:𐰴𐰍𐰣,romanized: Ïšbara qaɣan,Chinese:沙缽略可汗;pinyin:Shābōlüè Kèhán;Wade–Giles:Sha-po-lüeh K'o-han) (c. 540 – 587) was the first son ofIssik Qaghan, grandson ofBumin Qaghan, and the sixthkhagan of theTurkic Khaganate (581–587).^[1]

His birth name was recorded as eitherAshina Shetu orNietu (Chinese:阿史那攝圖) in Chinese sources. His name is written inSogdian:𐼎𐼇𐼒𐼒𐼘,romanized: nw’’r,lit. 'Neber' inBugut Inscription.^[2]Gerard Clauson andPeter Golden argued that name is non-Turkic.^[3][a]

He was probably bornc. 540 toIssik Qaghan. He was created byTaspar khagan as Erfu Khagan (Chinese:爾伏可汗) in east in 572.^[5]

He was raised to the throne after resignation ofAshina Anluo by thehigh council as the legal resolution to the crisis created by his uncleTaspar Qaghan who had bequeathed the title of khagan to his nephewTalopien (son ofMuqan Qaghan). This act violated the traditionalsystem of inheritance from oldest brother to youngest brother and oldest son to youngest. He took the regnal nameIllig Kül Shad Bagha Ishbara Khagan (Chinese:伊利俱盧設莫何始波羅可汗;pinyin:Yīlì Jùlú Shè Mòhé Shǐbōluó Kèhàn) and started to rule fromÖtüken. According toTongdian, he was known asGreat Khagan (Chinese:大可汗;pinyin:Dà Kèhán) as well.

Immediately after his appointment, the legal basis of his power was contested by the erstwhile heir Talopien. He created his predecessor Anluo as Dier Khagan (Chinese:第二可汗;pinyin:Dìèr Kèhán) and granted him theTuul River valley (now inMongolia).^[6] Talopien also demanded a title and as a result he was created Apa Khagan (Chinese:阿波可汗;pinyin:Ābō Kèhán) and was granted the steppe between northern Mongolia and theAltai Mountains.^[7] Another relative,Tardu was continuing to be ruler of Western wing under Ishbara. There was another lesser khagan under Ishbara called Tamgan (Chinese:貪汗可汗;pinyin:Tānhàn Kèhán) who could be a younger brother of Talopien. Ishbara created his younger brotherAshina Chuluohou as Töli shad (Chinese:突利設), thus granting viceroyalty over eastern wing of the empire. Other relatives were also granted lands and tribes, namely Tigin Shad (Chinese:地勤察), Liji Shad (Chinese:利稽察) and Suopi Shad (Chinese:娑毗設),^[8]

He later marriedPrincess Qianjin ofNorthern Zhou in 581 inlevirate marriage and accepted refugees from theNorthern Qi, two moves that were undertaken to legitimize his authority. Meanwhile Northern Zhou was overpowered by Sui dynasty and all theYuwen clan was put to death.^[9] Incited by his wife, Ishbara started a campaign against newSui dynasty. He was allied with Gao Baoning (高寶寧), the former Northern Qi general who was still holding Ying Province (營州, roughly modernZhaoyang,Liaoning). In response, under advice from the general Zhangsun Sheng (長孫晟), the newEmperor Wen carried out the strategy of placating Ishbara's subordinates Tardu, Apa and Bagha.

In 582, Ishbara marched on China with support from Apa and Tamgan, while Wen responded by sending his cousin Yang Hong (Chinese:楊弘), his brother-in-lawDou Rongding (窦荣定), Dou Luji (豆盧勣),Gao Jiong and Yu Qingze (虞庆则). Turks were defeated in a battle near Baidao (白道, north of modernHohhot). Defeat was followed by a hunger and disease. This highly unstable situation quickly became a smoldering civil war, which theSui Chinese took advantage of in every way possible to weaken the Göktürks.

Wen of Sui usedZhangsun Sheng (長孫晟), a companion of Princess Qianjin to sow discord among Turks. He managed to become a friend of Ishbara, and spent many years with the Turks. His knowledge about the customs and institutions of the Turks was of great importance for the Sui. In his report to emperor, Zhangsun described Ishbara as a person whose military strength was formidable but susceptible to internal conflicts. According to his report, "Chuluohou, Shetu's brother, though cunning, is weak in power. He has earned the hearts of the people, which has made Shetu jealous and uneasy, despite outward appearances suggesting otherwise. In reality, he harbors deep suspicions and fears. Apa Khagan is timid and positioned between these factions. He somewhat fears Shetu and follows his lead, but his loyalty is uncertain."^[10] Wen also sent regalia to Tardu and sat his envoy to a more prestigious position to Ishbara's in his court, causing further discord.

Ishbara led another attack on Sui in 583. Surprisingly for Ishbara, Tardu left with his army in mid-march.Ashina Rangan, who was approached by Zhangsun Sheng sent a false news about alleged revolt of theTiele to Ishbara, causing him to retreat. Later that year, Ishbara led another force against the Sui. Wen sent his brother Yang Shuang (楊爽) as a response. Yang Shuang achieved a great victory, and part of his army, commanded by the general Yin Shou (陰壽), defeated Gao Baoning, forcing Gao to try to flee to theKhitan, but on the way, Gao was killed by his own subordinates, ending the last bit of Northern Qi resistance. Apa Qaghan on the other hand was tricked by Zhangsun Sheng, who told him that Tardu already submitted to China and Ishbara was preparing to attack Apa's camp, leading him to submit to Sui.

As Zhangsun guessed, Ishbara attacked Apa's camp and killed his mother during the raid in 583. Having nowhere to turn, Apa fled west to seek refuge with Tardu. Tamgan and Tigin Shad also switched their allegiances away from Ishbara. Apa soon was given an army by Tardu and tookKucha andKumul. Settling inIli Valley, he increased his power to the point of appointing a lesser khagan to west wing of his territories. Ishbara on the other hand, in order to end the civil war, finally acknowledged theSui dynasty as his overlord. Wen in his turn adopted Princess Qianjin of Northern Zhou and gave her a new title - Princess Dayi. Ishbara asked for a support from Sui, sending his son Kuhezhen as emissary. As a result, he defeated Apa in 585 with Sui support and subdued aTiele revolt.

He died in 587 after a long illness. He appointed his younger brother Chuluohou as his successor, however he refused the throne, instead submitting to Tulan, Ishbara's eldest son.

He was married to his uncle's widowPrincess Qianjin ofNorthern Zhou. However, his children aren't confirmed to be with her:

1. Tulan Qaghan (r. 588–599)
2. Yami Qaghan (r. 603–609)
3. Kuhezhen Tegin (庫合真特勒) – Ambassador to China in 585.^[11]
4. Rudan Tegin (褥但特勒) – Ambassador to China in 593.^[11]

• Christoph Baumer, History of Central Asia, v. 2, pp. 174–206 (full history of the Turkic Khaganate)

• The Turks / editors, Hasan Celal Güzel, C. Cem Oğuz, Osman Karatay. Other author Güzel, Hasan Celâl. Oğuz, Cem. Karatay, Osman, 1971– Ocak, Murat. Imprint Ankara : Yeni Türkiye, 2002.ISBN 975-6782-55-2 (set)

• Göktürk khagans
• 587 deaths
• Ashina house of the Turkic Empire
• 6th-century monarchs in Asia

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• CS1 Turkish-language sources (tr)
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• Year of birth unknown
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