| Ishbara Qaghan | |
| Succession: | Qaghan of the First Turkic Khaganate |
| Reign: | 581–587 |
| Regnal Name: | Il Kül Shad Bagha Ishbara Qaghan Chinese: 伊利俱盧設莫何始波羅可汗 |
| Predecessor: | Amrak |
| Successor: | Bagha Qaghan |
| Spouse: | Qianjin Princess (大义公主) |
| Issue: | Tulan Qaghan Yami Qaghan |
| Royal House: | Ashina |
| Father: | Issik Qaghan |
| Birth Name: | Ashina Shetu (阿史那攝圖) |
| Religion: | Tengrism |
Ishbara Qaghan (:|[[Ishbara|Ïšbara]] qaγan,) (c. 540 – 587) was the first son of Issik Qaghan, grandson of Bumin Qaghan, and the sixth khagan of the Turkic Khaganate (581–587).[1]
His birth name was recorded as either Ashina Shetu or Nietu in Chinese sources. His name is written in in Bugut Inscription.[2] Gerard Clauson and Peter Golden argued that name is non-Turkic.[3]
He was probably born to Issik Qaghan. He was created by Taspar khagan as Erfu Khagan in east in 572.[4]
He was raised to the throne after resignation of Ashina Anluo by the high council as the legal resolution to the crisis created by his uncle Taspar Qaghan who had bequeathed the title of khagan to his nephew Talopien (son of Muqan Qaghan). This act violated the traditional system of inheritance from oldest brother to youngest brother and oldest son to youngest. He took the regnal name Illig Kül Shad Bagha Ishbara Khagan and started to rule from Ötüken. According to Tongdian, he was known as Great Khagan 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 and granted him the Tuul River valley (now in Mongolia).[5] Talopien also demanded a title and as a result he was created Apa Khagan and was granted the steppe between northern Mongolia and the Altai Mountains.[6] Another relative, Tardu was continuing to be ruler of Western wing under Ishbara. There was another lesser khagan under Ishbara called Tamgan who could be a younger brother of Talopien. Ishbara created his younger brother Ashina Chuluohou as Töli shad, thus granting viceroyalty over eastern wing of the empire. Other relatives were also granted lands and tribes, namely Tigin Shad, Liji Shad and Suopi Shad,[7]
He later married Princess Qianjin of Northern Zhou in 581 in levirate marriage and accepted refugees from the Northern Qi, two moves that were undertaken to legitimize his authority. Meanwhile Northern Zhou was overpowered by Sui dynasty and all the Yuwen clan was put to death.[8] Incited by his wife, Ishbara started a campaign against new Sui dynasty. He was allied with Gao Baoning (高寶寧), the former Northern Qi general who was still holding Ying Province (營州, roughly modern Zhaoyang, Liaoning). In response, under advice from the general Zhangsun Sheng (長孫晟), the new Emperor 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, his brother-in-law Dou 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 modern Hohhot). Defeat was followed by a hunger and disease. This highly unstable situation quickly became a smoldering civil war, which the Sui Chinese took advantage of in every way possible to weaken the Göktürks.
Wen of Sui used Zhangsun 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."[9] 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 the Tiele 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 the Khitan, 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 took Kucha and Kumul. Settling in Ili 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 the Sui 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 a Tiele 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 widow Princess Qianjin of Northern Zhou. However, his children aren't confirmed to be with her: