Enian Qaghan


Enian Qaghan was the last effective ruler of Uyghur Khaganate.

Life

He was a younger brother of Wujie Qaghan and succeeded him in 846. He had 5000 Uyghur followers under his command and lived among Kumo Xi and depended on their chieftain Shi Shelang for support. However this support ended when Zhang Zhongwu invaded Xi domains in summer of 847. and after Zhang's victory over the Xi he could no longer do so, and so was forced to flee further to the Shiwei. In 848, apparently to try to appease Tang, Qaghan sent an emissary to pay homage to Emperor Xuānzong. When the emissary was returning to qaghan through You Prefecture, however, Zhang ordered him to kill Qaghan once he arrived back at Uyghur headquarters. When Enian heard this, he fled westward with his wife, son and 12 bodyguard, leaving his people with the Shiwei. His subsequent fate is unknown.