The Ashina were a tribe and the ruling dynasty of the Göktürks. This clan rose to prominence in the mid-6th century when the leader, Bumin Qaghan, revolted against the Rouran Khaganate. The two main branches of the family, one descended from Bumin and the other from his brother Istämi, ruled over the eastern and western parts of the Göktürk confederation, respectively, forming the First Turkic Khaganate (552–603).
Turkic horseman (Tomb of An Jia, 579 AD).
The Sogdian merchant An Jia conversing with a Turkic Chieftain in his yurt (579 AD).
Turkic horsemen with long hair on the Miho funerary couch. Circa 570 AD. Northern Dynasties, China.
Bust of Kul Tigin (684–731), an Ashina Prince.
The Göktürks, Türüks, Celestial Turks or Blue Turks, alternatively Great Turks or Root Turks were a nomadic confederation of Turkic peoples in medieval Inner Asia. The Göktürks, under the leadership of Bumin Qaghan and his sons, succeeded the Rouran Khaganate as the main power in the region and established the First Turkic Khaganate, one of several nomadic dynasties that would shape the future geolocation, culture, and dominant beliefs of Turkic peoples.
Gökturk petroglyphs from modern Mongolia (6th to 8th century).
A funerary depiction of long haired Türks in the Kazakh steppe. Miho funerary couch, circa 570.
Turkic horseman (Tomb of An Jia, 579 CE).
Bust of Kul Tigin (684–731) found in Khashaat, Arkhangai Province, Orkhon River valley. Located in the National Museum of Mongolia.
