Amrak Khagan

Amrak Khagan or Ashina Anluo was the fifth ruler of the Turkic Khaganate and reigned during the sixth century. His regnal title is not recorded in Chinese sources.

Name

His name is subject to debate. The Book of Sui and Tongdian recorded his name as Ānluó whereas the Zizhi Tongjian recorded similarly sounding version Ānluó. The Cefu Yuangui has both versions. Lev Gumilev proposed Amraq as a Turkic reconstruction of Anluo. His name was recorded in the Bugut inscription in. Turkish scholar Hayrettin İhsan Erkoç proposed Umna as a proper reconstruction.

Reign

According to Chinese sources Amrak Khagan was enthroned after his father Taspar Qaghan's death in 581, soon his cousin Talopien proposed his own claim, saying that Taspar willed the title to him. Just like how Taspar inherited this title from his father. Chinese sources suggest that Amrak's mother was a noble while Talopien's mother was a commoner, hence he wasn't favorable. Another cousin Shetu supported Anluo, threatening to rebel if the throne was passed to Talopien. Meanwhile, Talopien still harassed Amrak and sent a few emissaries to force him to abdicate. Amrak, being the least powerful of the three abandoned and renounced his title in favor of Shetu. In turn Shetu made him Dier Khagan in the Tuul River valley.