Bilge Khan

Bilge Khan (Arslan Bilgä Khağan Bengü Taşı; 683 or 684 - 734) was one of the most influential emperors of the Gokturk Empire.

His name literally means "wise chieftain". He assumed the leadership together with his brother Kul Tigin after a coup against the previous ruler, his cousin Inal Khan who was a weak leader. His empire spanned from the Caspian Sea to Manchuria and he invaded the western sections of the Chinese territories. After he was killed by being poisoned, an inscription was erected near the Orhon River on a monumental area, which is known today as Orkhon inscriptions.