Özmiş Khagan

Özmiş Khagan was the penultimate khagan of the Second Turkic Khaganate.

Background

His father Pan Kul Tigin was a shad of the Second Turkic Khaganate during the reign of Tengri Khagan. Although Pan Kul Tigin staged a successful coup against Tengri Khagan, he was killed during a battle against Ashina Shi and his Basmyls. Following a short and turbulent period where Kutluk Yabgu Khagan tried to restore the authority without success, Özmiş was elected as the new khagan in 742.

Reign

The policy of Tang China was to vassalize all people to the north of Chinese border and Özmiş was also expected to pay respect. Initially, Özmiş agreed to visit emperor Xuanzong's court and pay respect to him, but he changed his mind and tried to keep his independence. His reluctance annoyed the Emperor and he tasked his general Wang Zhongsi with arresting Özmiş. Wang Zhongsi organized a coalition of three Turkic people the Basmyl, Uighurs and Karluks, who had previously accepted the suzerainty of the Chinese emperor, instead of Özmiş. The coalition defeated Özmiş. Although Özmiş escaped he was soon defeated for the second time and was killed in 744 by Ashina Shi. Although the Turkic people elected Özmiş’s son Kulun Beg as their new khagan, his empire is usually considered have collapsed by the death Özmiş's death.