Bagha Qaghan () was the seventh Khagan (587–588) of the Eastern Wing of Göktürks during the turmoil inside the khaganate. He has been erraneously associated with Šāwa, Sāva, or Sāba in Persian sources.
Biography.
He was born to Issik Qaghan as his second son, probably sometime between 540-550. His personal name was recorded as Ashina Chuluohou (阿史那处罗侯) in Chinese sources, which was probably rendering of the Turkic name "Čoluq" (crippled or lame).
He was created Töli shad (Chinese: 突利設) by his elder brother Ishbara Qaghan in 581, thus receiving viceroyalty over eastern wing of the empire. Probably around this time he also came to be known as Yabghu Khagan (). He also married Princess Qianjin in levirate. During this time, Emperor Wen of Sui used Zhangsun Sheng (長孫晟), a companion of Princess to sow discord among Turks. According to his report, Chuluohou was cunning, but weak in power. He has earned the hearts of the people, which has made Ishbara jealous and uneasy, despite outward appearances suggesting otherwise. In reality, Ishbara harbored deep suspicions and fears.
Reign.
He was appointed heir by his brother Ishbara sometime before 587 in his will. When the Khagan died, a messenger was sent by Ashina Yongyulü to his uncle, to fulfill the will and invite him to ascend the throne. However, Chuluohou stated that in recent generations, the Göktürks had not adhered to the lateral succession system, and it would not be in accordance with tradition for him to take the throne while Ishbara Khagan's son was still alive. He requested Yongyulü to ascend the throne instead and declared his allegiance to him. However, Yongyulü did not accept his uncle's request and insisted on carrying out his father's will. Bagha created his nephew a "yabgu" after his coronation.
Bagha continued his predecessor's alliance policy with Sui dynasty and focused on removing rivals. He moved on to eliminate Apa Qaghan who was by that time fortified himself near Bukhara and captured him alive. Permission was requested from the Sui emperor to kill the captured Apa, but Zhangsun Sheng vehemently opposed the idea, urging emperor to keep him alive, in order to keep Turks in check.
Death.
In some Turkish sources, Baga Khagan, who removed the danger of Apa, organized an expedition to the Western Gokturk State to defeat Tardu and restore the unity of the state, and may have been defeated and killed by Tardu's army. According to Josef Markwart and Denis Sinor, he may have been the 'great kaghan' that was killed with an arrow by Persian commander Bahrām Chobin during the First Perso-Turkic War which happened in not before August 589 (date by Gumilev). Peter Golden regarded this to be unlikely, considering several sources stating he died the previous year in a battle with Tardush Yabgu in 588 AD.
References.
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