ORKHON

INSCRIPTIONS
 BILGE KAGAN INSCRIPTIONS
The Bilge Kagan inscription. Face.
1
Teŋіriteg : Тeŋiri : yaratmïš : Türük : Bilge : qaγan : sabїm : aqanїm :
Türük : Bil/ge : qaγan : bödüke : olurtum : /anta : їmtї : al… tїsї er :
Toquz Oγuz : eki Ediz ker külüg : begleri budunї : ......Türük : Тeŋiri :
...
I Tengri-like and Tengri born in Turkic Kagan, mounted the throne. All of you, my close
people…, Nine Oguzes, Two Edizes, valorous lords (beks), my nation … Turkic Tengri … hear
my words…
2
üze : : qaγan : olurtum : olurtuqїma : ölütečiči : saqїnїγma : Türük :
begler : budun : egirip : sebinip : tostamїš : közi : jügürü : körti :
bödüke : özüm olurup : bunča : aγïr törüg : törüt buluŋdaqï : budunїγ :
..itdim : Őze : kök : Teŋіri : (asïra : yaγïz : Jer : qïlïntaquda : ekin
ara : kisi : oγulï : qïlïnmïs :
When I ruled, being a kagan, Turkic lords (beks) and people warshipped me, loved me and
raised their eyes up. Being a kagan I beard the hard burden of responsibility. People from all
four parts made… When the blue Tengri upward and the brown Earth bellow appeared, the
human being was created among them.
3
kisi : oγulïnta : öze : ečüm apam : Bumïn qaγan : Estemi qaγan : olurmïš
: olurupan : Türük : budunïŋ : Elin : törüsіn : tuta bermis : iti bermis
: törüt : buluŋ : qop : yaγï ermis : sü sülepen : törüt : buluŋdaqï :
budunïγ : (qop almïš : qop baz qïlmïs : )bašlïγïγ : jüküntürmüs :
tizеligig : (sökürmüs : ilgerü : Qadïrqan : Jïšqa tegi : keri)
My ancestors Bumyn kagan and Istemi kagan were above these human beings. They ruled
the nation by Turkic laws, they developed them. In battles they subdued the nations of all
 four sides of the world and suppressed them. They made those who had heads bow their
heads, and who had knees genuflect them! In the east up to Kadyrkhan common people,
4
Temir qapïγqa : tegi : qonturmus : ekin ara : ïdï oqsuz : Kök Türük : iti
anča : olurur ermis : bilge : qaγan ermis : alïp qaγan ermis : bujruqï :
bilge ermis erinč : alïp ermis erinč : begleri jeme : budunï (jeme : tüz
ermis : anï ) üčün : Еlig : anča tutmus : erinč : Еlig tutup : (Тörüg :
etmis : üze anča : kergek : bolmus : )
In the west up to the Iron Gate conquered. Blue Turks moved without the rules. These
kagans were wise. These kagans were great. Their servants were wise and great too. Beks
were honest and direct with people. They ruled the nation this way. This way they held away
over them. They died.
5
yoγučï : sïγïtčï : öŋre : kün : toγusïqda : Böküli : Čölüg el : Tabγač :
Tüpüt : Apar Purum : (Q)ïrqïz : ÜčQurïqan : OtuzTatar : Qïtaň : Tatabï :
bunča : budun : kelipen : sïγïtamïs : yoγulamïs : antïγ : külüg : qaγan
ermis : (anta kisre : inisi : ) qaγan : ( bolmis erinč : )oγulï atï :
qaγan : bolmis erinč : (anta kisre : inisi : ečisin teg : )
The ambassadors from Boklii Cholii, Tabgach -China, Tibet, Avar, Rome, Kyrgiz, Uch -Kurykan,
Otuz-Tatars, Kytans, Tatabs came to the funerals, so many people came to mourn over the
great kagan. He was a famous kagan! After him his younger brother became a kagan. Then
his son. But his younger brother was not like the elder brother.
6
qïlïnmadïq erinč : oγulï : аqaŋïn teg : qïlïnmadïq erinč : bilgesiz :
qaγan : olurmïs erinč : yablaq : qaγan : olurmïs erinč : bujruqï : jeme :
bilgesiz ermiš erinč : yablaq ermis erinč : begleri : budunï : tüzsüz
üčün : Tabγač budun : teblegin : körlü(üčün : armaqčïsïn : ) üčün : inili
: (ečili : kеksürtükin : üčün : begli : budunlïγ : )
And the son did not take after his father. They were unintelligent and wild. The servants
were ignorant and wild too. Beks and common people were dishonest. Yielded to Chinese
people, deceived fathers and children became enemies. Beks and common people rose
against each other.
7
yoŋušurtuqïn : üčün Türük : budun : elledik : Еlin : ïčγanu : ïdmïs :
qaγanladïq : qaγanïn : jetіrü : ïdmïs : Tabγač budunqa : beglik : urï
oγulïn : qul qïltï : silik qïz oγulïn : küŋ qïltï : Türük : begler :
Türük : atïn : ïtï : Tabγačγï : begler : Tabγač : (atïn : tutupan :
Tabγač : qaγanqa : körmüs : elig jïl : )
The unity of Turkic people had broken. They rose against their kagans. The Chinese made
slaves your noble sons, and slaves you beautiful daughters. Turkic beks refused from their
titles and admitted Chinese titles. So they served Chinese kagan.
8
isig küčüg : bermis : ilgerü : kün toγusïqda : Böküli : qaγanqa : tegi :
sülüjü : bermis : qurïγaru : Temir : qapïγqa : tegi : sülüjü : bermis :
Tabγač : qaγanqa : Еlin : törüsin : alï bermis : Türük : qara : qamïγ :
budun : anča temis : Еllig : budun (ertim : Еlim : ïmtï qanï : kemke :
Еlig : qazγanurman : tеr ermis : )
They served fifty years. They fought in the east up to Bokli kagan, in the west up to the Iron
Gate. Everything was for the sake of Chinese kagan. The common people said then: “I had a
state, where is it now? Which country do I serve ?
9
 qaγanlïγ : budun : ertim : qaγanïm : qanï : ne qaγanqa : isig küčüg :
berürmen : tir ermiš : anča tep : Tabγač qaγanqa : yaγï bolmïs : yaγï
bolïp : etіnü : yаrаtunu : umаdïq : yana : ičіkmis : bunča : isig küčüg :
bertükerü : saqïnmаtï : Türük : budun : ölürüjen : urïγsaratïyan : ter
ermis : yuqadu : barïr : ermis : öze :
I had a ruler, where is he now? Which kagan do I serve?” They could not continue their
generation. Turkic people began to degenerate. Then
10
Türük : Teŋrisi : Türük : ÏduqJeri : subï : ančatemiserinč : : Türük :
budun : yoq : bolmazun : tejin : budun : bolčun : tejin : аqanïm :
Elterisqaγanïγ : ögüm : Elbilgeqatunïγ : Teŋіri : töpesinte : tutup :
jügürü : kötürtü erinč : aqanïm qaγan : jeti jegirmi : erin : tašqïmïs
(tašra : yoruyor : tejin : üküеsidіp : balïqdaqï : taγïqmïs : taγdaqï : )
Tengri of Turks, Turks sacred Earth and water told: “let the Turkic people not degenerate,
let them be the state again”. They mounted my father, El -Teris kagan, and my mother El -
Bilge katun to the throne to be above them. My father, kagan, gathered seventeen brave
beks (lords). Having heard that they went on campaign, those, who were in towns went out
to the field, those, who were in mountains, went down
11
inmis : tirilip : jetmis er : bolmïs : Teŋіri : küč : bertük : üčün :
аqanïm qaγan : süsi : böri teg : ermiš : yaγïsï : qoň teg : ermiš :
ilgerü : qurïγaru : sülep : tеrmiš : qubartmïš : qamïγï : jeti jüz er :
bolmïs : jeti jüz er : bolïp : (elsiremis : qaγansïramïš : budunïγ :
küŋdemis : quldamïš : budunïγ : Türük : törüsün : ïčγanmïš : )
So seventy brave worries gathered together. Tengri gave them the strength, my father’s,
kagan’s, soldiers were like wolves, and their enemies like sheep. Seven hundred soldiers
gathered while fighting towards east and west. When they were seven hundred he brought
into the order and taught the people who had lost their state and their kagan. He brought
into the order and edified on the rules of my ancestors the people , who became slaves and
bondwomen, who abolished Turkic institutions.
12
budunïγ : ečüm аpam : törüsünče : yarаtmïš : bušγurmïš : Töles : Tarduš :
budunïγ : anta itmis : Jabγuγ : Šadïγ : anta bermiš : berіje : Tabγač :
budun : yaγï : ermiš : jïrïya : Baz qaγan : Toquz : Oγuzbudun : yaγï :
ermis : (Qïrγïz : Qurïqan : OtuzTatar : Qïtaň : Tatabï : qop : yaγï :
ermis : аqanïm : qaγan : bunča : ...qïrïq : artuqï : )
Then he gave people Tolis and Tardush states. And gave them two rulers, a yabgu and a
šad. Chinese people were our enemy in south, Tokuz -Oguz people in north with Baz Kagan
on head were our enemies too. The Kirgiz, Quriqan, Otuz -Tatar, Qitaŋ and Tatabi – they all
were hostile to us. My father, the kagan, was on campaigns forty -seven times
13
jeti : yolï : sülemiš : jegirmi : süŋüš : süŋüsmiš : Teŋіri : yarïlqaduq
üčün : elligig : elsіretmiš : qaγanlïγïγ : qaγansïratmïš : yaγïγ : baz
qïlmïs : tizelіgig : sükürmiš : bašlïγïγ : jüküntümiš : qaŋïm : (qaγan
... törüg : qаzγanïp : uča : barmïs : )аqaŋïm : (qaγanqa : bašlayu : Baz
qaγanïγ : balbal : tikmis : ...)
and engaged in twenty battles. By the grace of Tengri, he took the realm of those who had
had a realm, and captured the kagan of those who had a kagan; he subjugated enemies. He
made powerful enemies kneel and proud ones to bow. My father, the kagan, after he had
founded (such a great) empire and gained power, passed away (lit.: 'went flying'). Balbals
for my father, the kagan, were first erected from Baz Kagan's balbals. When my father died
14
qaγan : učduqda : özüm : sekiz yašda : qaldïm : ol törüde : üze : ečüm
qaγan : olurtï : olurupan : Türük : budunïγ : ječe : itdim : ječe : igti
: čïγaŋïγ : bayqïltï : azïγ üküš : qïltï : ečüm qaγan : olurtïqda : özüm
: tegin : /eriklig ...Teŋiri : yarïlqadï : ermiš erinč :
I was eight years old. My uncle succeeded to the throne then. My uncle, the kagan,
organized and nourished Turkish people anew. He made poor people rich and few people
numerous. When my uncle was a kagan I was …tegin… Tengri blessed us.
15
törüt : yegirmi : yašïmqa : Tarduš : budun : öze : šad olurtum : ečüm
qaγan : birle : ilgerü : Yašïl ügüz : Šantuŋ : yazïqa tegi : süledimiz :
qurïγaru : Temir : qapïγqa : tegi : süledimiz : Kögmen : аša : Qï/rqïz :
jeriŋe : tegi : /süledimiz : /qamïγï : beš otuz : süledimiz : üč jegirmi
: süŋüšdimiz : Еlligig : elsiretdimiz : qaγanlïγïγ : qaγansïratdïmïz :
tizеligig :
When I was fourteen I became a šad over Tardush people. Together with my uncle, the
kagan, we went on campaigns eastwards up to Green River (= Yellow River) and Shantung
plain, and we went on campaigns westwards up to the Iron Gate, We went on campaigns up
to the land of Kirgiz beyond the Kogmen (mountains). We went on campaigns twenty -five
times in all and we fought thirteen times. We took the realm of those who had a realm, and
we captured the kagan of those who had a kagan. We made
16
sökürtimiz : bašlïγïγ : jöküntürtimiz : Türügeš : qaγan : Türüküm :
budunïm : erti : bilmedikin : üčün : bizіŋe : yaŋïltïqïn : yazïntïqïn :
üčün : qaγanï : ölti : buyruqï : begleri : jeme : ölti : On oq : budun :
emgek : körtü : Ečü (müz : apamïz : tutmïs : Jer subidsiz : bolmazun :
tejin : az budunïγ : ïtï : jar ...)bars beg :
powerful enemies kneel and proud ones to bow. The Turgesh kagan (and his people) was our
Turk. Because of their unawareness and foolishness, for their being traitorous, their kagan
had died; his buyruqs and lords, had died too. The On -Oq people suffered a great de al. In
order the land (lit.: 'earth and water'), which was ruled by our ancestors, not to be left
without a ruler, we organized Az people and put them into the order.... was Barys bek.
17
erti : qaγan atïγ : bunta : biz bertimiz : siŋilim : qunčuyum : bertimiz
: üze yazïntï : qaγanï : ölti : budunï : küŋ qul : boltï : Kögmen : Jer
sub : idsiz : qalmazun tejin : az Qïrqïz : budunïγ : anča : jaratïp :
keltimiz : ...ilgerü : Qadïrqan : Jïšïγ : aša : budunïγ : anča :
qonturtïmïz : anča : itdimiz : qurïγaru :
It was we, who had given him the title of kagan. We had also given him my younger sister,
the princess, in marriage. But, he betrayed (us). (As a result) the kagan was killed and
people became slaves and servants. In order the Kogman land would not remain without a
ruler, we organized the Az and Kirgiz peoples, and then we came back and fought. We gave
(them) back.... Eastwards to the Khingan mountains westwards to
18
KeŋüTarbanqa : tegi : Türük : budunïγ : anča qonturtïmïz : anča іtedimiz
: ol ödke : qul : qullïγ : bolmïs küŋ : küŋlig : bolmïš : erti : inisi :
ečisin : bilmez : erti : oγulï : аqaŋïn : bilmez : erti : anča :
qazγanmïš : anča : etmis : Еlіmiz : /törümіz : erti : Türük : Oγïz :
begleri : / budun : esidiŋ : üze Teŋіri : basmasar : asra Jer :
tilinmeser :
Kaŋu Tarman we thus settled Turkish people. At that time our slaves themselves had slaves
 (and servants themselves had servants. Younger brothers did not acknowledge their elder
brothers, and sons did not acknowledge their fathers). We had such an acquired and
organized state and power. You, Turkish and Oguz lords and peoples, hear this! If the sky
above did not collapse, and if the earth below did not go away,
19
Türük : budun : Еliniŋ : törügün : kim : artatï : udаčï erti : Türük :
budun : ertіz : ökün : körügüŋin : üčün : igidmiš : qaγaŋïn : ermiš :
barmïš : edgü Еliŋе : kentü yaŋïltïγ : yablaq : kegürteg : yarаqlïγ :
qantan : kelіp : yayaеltedi : süŋgülüg : qandan : kelіp : süre еltedi :
/Ïd/uq Ö/tüken : / Jïš budun : bardïq : ilgerü : (barïγma ) bardïγ :
qurïγaru :
what could destroy your state and power? О Turkish people, regret and repent! Because of
your unruliness, you yourselves betrayed your wise kagan, who had (always) supported you.
And you yourselves betrayed your good realm, which was free and independent. And you
(yourselves) caused discord. Where did the armed ( people) come from and dispersed you?
Where did the lancer come from and carried you away? You, people of sacred Otukan
mountains, it was you, who went away. Those (of you), who meant to go to east went to
east, and those (of you), who meant to go to west w ent to west.
20
barïγma : bardïγ : bardïq : jerde : edgüg : ol erinč : qanïŋ : ügüzče :
jügürti : söŋüküg : taγča : yatdï : beglik : urï oγulïŋ : qul qïltïγ :
silik qïz oγulïŋ : küŋ qïltïγ : ol bilmedük üčün : yablaqïŋïn : üčün :
ečüm qaγan : uča bardï : bašlayu : Qïrqïz qaγanïγ : (balbal : tikdim :
)Türük : budunïγ : atï küsü : yoq bolmazun : tijin : aqaŋïm qaγanïγ :
In places you went away, your (only) profit was the following: your blood ran like a river,
and your bones were heaped up like a mountain; your sons worthy of becoming lords
became slaves, and your daughters worthy of becoming ladies became servants. Because of
your unawareness and because of your mischievousness, my uncle, the kagan, met his
death. First I erected balbals (for him) beginning from Kirgiz kagan's. Tengri, which had
raised my father, the kagan,
21
ögüm qatunïγ : kötürіgme : Teŋіri : Еl bеrigme : Teŋіri : Türük : budun :
atï küsü : yoq bolmazun : tijin : özümüz : ol Teŋіri : qaγan : olurtadï
erinč : neŋ yïlïsïγ : budunta : üze : olurmadïm : ičre ačsïz : tïšra :
tonsuz : yabïz yablaq : budunta : (üze : olurtum : inim Kül) tegin eki
šad : birle : sözlešdimiz : аqaŋïmïz :
my mother, the katun, and which had granted them a state, For the name and fame of the
Turkish people would not perish, (that Tengri) enthroned (me). I did not become ruler of
wealthy and prosperous people at all; (on the contrary,) I became a ruler of poor and
miserable people, who were food -less inside and cloth -less outside. I and Kultegin, my
younger brother, consulted together. For the name and fame of people, which our father
22
ečümüz : qazγanmïš : budun : atï küsü : yoq bolmazun : tijin : Türük :
budun : üčün : tün udïmadïm : küntüz : olurmadïm : іnim : Kül/tegin/
birle : ölü jitü : qazγandïm : anča qazγanïp : bіrіki : budunïγ : ot sub
qïlmadïm : /men... / Jersayu : barmïš : budun : ölü jitü : /yadaγan :
yalïŋïn : yana/
and uncle had ruled, would not perish, and for the sake of Turkish people, I did not sleep at
night and I did not relax by day. Together with my younger brother, Kultegin, I worked to
death and I won. Having won and gathered in that way, I did not let people split into two
 parts like fire and water…People, wondered over the countries, vagrant people came back
utterly exhausted, without horses and without clothes came back.
23
kelti : budunïγ : igіdejin tijin : jїrїγaru : Oγuz : budun : tapa :
ilgerü : Qïtan : Tatabï : budun tapa : bergerü : Tabγač : tapa : eki
jegirmi : süledim : /süŋüš/ süŋüšdüm : аnta kisre : Teŋіri : yarïlqaduq :
üčün : qutum : ülügüm : bar üčün : ölüteči : budunïγ : tirigerü : igitim
: yalaŋ budunïγ : tonlïγ : qïltïmčïγaň : budunïγ : bay qïltïm :
In order to nourish people, I, with great armies, went on campaigns twelve times,
northwards against Oguz people, eastwards against the Qitan and Tatabi, southwards
against Chinese, and I fought twelve times. After (that), since I had fortune and since I h ad
good luck – my Tengri was gracious! – I brought people to life, who were going to perish. I
dressed naked people with clothes and I made poor people rich
24
az budunïγ : üküš qïltïm : ïγar : Еlligde : ïγar qaγanlïγda : jeg qïltïm
: törüt buluŋdaqï : budunïγ : qop baz qïltïm : jaγsïz : qïltïm : qop :
maŋa : ükü еrtі : yeti jegirmi : yašïma : Taŋut171 : tapa : süledim :
Taŋut : budunïγ : bozdïm : oγulïn : yotïzïn : yïlqïsïn : barïmïn : anta
altïm : sekiz jegirmi : yašïma : Altï Čub ...
and few people numerous. I made them superior than people, who had great states and
(respectful rulers). I made all people living in four parts of the world subjected to me. There
was no enemy left. Many of them subjected to me. When I was seventeen years old I went
on campaign to Tanguts and conquered them. I took their sons, wives, horses. When I was
eighteen, I went on campaign to Alty Chub…
25
tapa : süledim : budunïγ : anta bozdïm : Tabγač On Tutuq : bes tümen : sü
kelti : Ïduq : bašda : süŋüšdimiz : ol süg : anta yoq qïšdïmïz : yegirmi
: yašïma : Basmïl ïduq at : oγušum : budun : erti : arqïš ïdmaz : tejin :
süledim : q ...ičgertim : qalïŋ ebrü kelürtim : eki otuz : yašïma :
Tabγač :
and subdued them. Chinese Ong -Tutuk attacked us with fifty thousand’s army. We fought at
Iduk. I bit the army then. When I was twenty, our subjected people did not send a caravan.
I went with war to them… conquered and made them come. When I was twenty two I went
with war to Tabgach (China)
26
tapa : süledim : Čača Seŋün : sekiz : tümen : sü birle : süŋüšdim : süsin
: anta : ölürtim : altï otuz : yašïma : Ček budun : Qïrqïz : birle : yaγï
boltï : Kem keče : süledim : Ček tapa : süledim : Őrpünte : süŋüšdimiz :
süsin : sančdïm : Az ...m...yeti : otuz : yašïma : Qïrqïz : tapa :
süledim : süŋük batamï :
I fought with eight thousand’s army of Chacha sengun. I won them. When I was twenty six,
Cheques together with Kyrkyz attacked us. I fought with them crossing the Kem river.
Fought at Chek. Fought in Urpent. When I was twenty seven, I went against Kyrkyz. Going
through the lance - deep
27
qarïγ : süküpen : Kögmen : Jïšïγ : toγa : yorïp : Qïrγïz : budunïγ : uda
: basdïm : qaγanïn : birle : Suŋa jïšda : süŋüšdüm : qaγanïn : öltürtim :
Elin : anta altïm : ol jïlqa : Türügeš : tapa : Altun Jïšïγ : aša : Ertis
: ügüzüg : keče : yoru/dum : Türügeš : budunïγ : / uda : basdïm : Türügeš
: qaγan : süsi : otča borča : kelti :
snow we went round the Kegmen mountains and attacked the Kyrkyz. We fought in the
 Sungamountains with their kagan. I subdued them then. I went on campaign towards
Turgesh, going through the Gold mountains, crossing the Irtysh river. I took the Turgesh
people. The army of Turgesh kagan fought like fire.
28
Bolčuda : süŋüšdümiz : qaγanïn : yabγusïn : šadïn : anta ölürtim : elin :
anta altïm : otuz yašïma : Besbalïq : tapa : süledim : аltï yolï süŋüšdüm
: ... süsin : qop : ölürtim : anta : ičreki ne : kišitin : ... k : yoq
boltačï : erti : ...kiši... : uqγalï : kelti : basdïm : Besbalïq : anï
üčün : ozdï : otuz artuqï :
Fought in Bolchu. I killed then their kagan, yabgu and shads. Conquered their nation. When
I was thirty went with war to Beshbalyk. There were only six battles. We killed a lot of their
warrious. A man came from the city then. That is why I captured Beshbalyk. When I was
thirty one,
29
bir yašïma : Qarluq : budun : buŋsïz erür : barur : erikli : yaγï boltï :
Tamaγ ïduq : bašda : süŋüšdüm : Qarluq : budunïγ : ölürtim : anta altïm :
...dïm : Basmïl : ...edü...Qarluq : budun : tеrilip : kelti : ...sančdïm
: ölürtim : Toγuz Оγuz : meniŋ : budunïm : erti : Тeŋiri : Jer : bulγaqïn
: üčün : ödiŋ.....
My subjected Karluks became my enemies. I fought with them at Tamag. I killed a lot of
Karluks then and captured them. Basmyl … kind… Karluks gathered and resisted. … thrusted,
killed. Nine Oguzes were my people. As Tengri and the earth came to disorder,
30
кöni : tegdük : üčün : yaγï boltï : bir jïlqa : törüt : yolï : süŋüšdüm :
eŋ ilki : Toγu Balïqda : süŋüšdüm : Toγula : ügüzüg : jüzti : kečip : sü
kelti : ekinti : Antarγuda : süŋüšdüm : süsi : sančdïm : ...üčünči : ...
süŋüšdüm : Türük : budun : Аdaq Qamïšdï : yablaq :
They rose against us. We fought four times a year. First we fought in town Togu. Having
crossed the Togula river the army attacked. The second time I fought in Antargu. Bit their
army. And fought the third time. In Adak Kamysh the Turkic people had deteriorated.
31
boltačï erti üze : yaŋï : keligme : süsin : aγïtïm : üküš ölti : anta
terilip : anta : Toŋïra : Jïlpaγït : bir : oγušuγ : Toŋa : tegin :
yoγun...egere : toqïdïm : törütünč : Ezgenti : Qadïzda : süŋüšdüm : süsin
anta : sančdïm : yabrïtdïm : ...barïmï...ma...Maγï Qurγan : qïšladuqda :
yut : boltï : yazïŋa :
then I overthrew their forward position. Many were killed. I surrounded and killed ten brave
soldiers of Tongra Yialpagut tribe on Ton tegin funerals. There was starvation in Magy
Korgan in winter. In spring
32
Oγuz tapa : süledim : ilki sü : tašqïmïš : erti : ekin sü : ebde : erti :
Üč Oγuz : süsi : basa : kelti : yadaγ : yabïz : boltï : tep : alγalï :
kelti : sïŋar süsi : ebig barïqïγ : yolγalï : bardï : sïŋar süsi :
süŋüšgeli : kelti : biz : az ertimiz : yabïz : ertimiz : Oγuz ... :
yaγ...küč bertük : üčün : anta sančïdïm :
we had hardly spent winter, were weak and wanted to capture us. Half of their army
attacked us to destroy our houses, buildings, another half of the army fought with our army.
We were few and weak. Our enemies Oguzes… gave us strength and I fought.
33
yaňdïm : Teŋiri : yarïlqaduq üčün : men qazγanduq : üčün : Türük : budun
: ...mïš erinč : men inilegü : bunča : bašlayu : qazγanmadïn : Türük :
 budun : ölteči : erti : yoq : boltačï : erti : ...begler : saqïnïŋ : anča
biliŋ : Oγuz budun : ...d : ïdmayun : tejin : süledim :
I bit them. With Tengri’s bless and thank to my ruling the Turkic people… if I together with
my younger brothers did not rule the country, the Turkic people would be abolished…beks,
you should know, Oguz people… fought
34
ebin : barïqïn : buzdïm : Oγuz budun : Toγuz Tatar : birle : tirilip :
kelti : Aγuda : eki uluγ : süŋüšdüm : süsin : buzdïm : Elin : anta altïm
: anča qazγanïp : ... : /Teŋiri/yarïlqaduq : üčün : /men/otuz artuqï : üč
yašïma : ...yoq erti : ödseg : ütüleg : küč :
Destroyed their houses and buildings. Oguz people in alliance with Nine Tatars attacked us. I
fought with them in Aguda two times. Won their army. Captured their country. Established
there my institution. With Tengri’s bless, in thirty three years old… I was not…
35
igidemiš : /qaγan : /yaŋïltï üze : Teŋiri : ïduq : Jer sub /asra/qaγan :
qutï : tapïqlamadï erinč : Toquz : Oγuz : budun : jerin : subïn : ïdïp :
Tabγačγaru : bardï : Tabγač : budun : bu jerde : kelti : igidejin : tejin
: ... budunïγ :
Having gathered his force the Kagan was mistaken. Tengri above, below the sacred water
did not curse the kagan. The people of Nine Oguzes moved to China. Tabgach (Chinese)
people…
36
yazïqlatï : ...berije : Tabγačda : atï küsi : yoq boltï : bu jerde : maŋa
: qur ? boltï : men özüm : qaγan : olurtïqïm : üčün : Türük : budunïγ :
....qïlmadïm : ... : jerde : qazγantïm : Ï /dï bašda/ : tirilip : je...
In China in the east they lost their names. And this land belonged to me. Due to my being a
kagan I did not… Turkic people. I ruled… at Idi gathered…
37
.. /süŋ/üšdüm : süsin : sančïdïm : ičikgime : ičikdi : budun : boltï :
ölügme : ölti : Seleŋe : qodï yorïpan : Qarаγan : qïšlata : biz : barïqïn
: anta buzdïm : .....jïšqa : аγdï : Uyγar Elteber : yüzče erin :
ilger....te...
…fought. Bit their army. Those who gave up, joined me, became my nation. Those who had
died – died. Having crossed through Selenga, after winter in Karagan, we destroyed their
buildings… retreated… Uigur Elteber sent about hundred army to the east…
38
....Türük : budun : ač erti : ol jïlqïγ : alïp egitim : otuz artuqï :
törüt : yašïma : Oγuz : tezip : Tabγačqa : kirti : ökünüp : süledim :
suqïn : ...oγulïn : yotuzïn : anta altïm : eki Elteberig : budun : ...
…turkic people starved. I killed those horses. In thirty three years old, Oguzes surrendered
to Tabgaches (Chinese). I fought with sorrow. I took then sons, wives. People of two
Eltebers…
39 ...
..../Tatab/ï : budun : Tabγač qaγanqa : körti : yalbačï edgü : sabï :
ötügi : kelmez tejin : yayan süledim : budunïγ : anta buzdïm :
jïlq...süsi : terilip : kelti : Qadïrqan Jïšda : qu....
…the people of Tatabi surrendered to Tabgach (Chinese) kagan. As they were weak I sent
foot troops to them. I conquered the nation then. They gathered and attacked Kadyrkhan
common people…
40
 .....γaqïŋa : subïŋaru : qontï : berije : Qarluq : budun tapa : süle :
tep : Tudun : Yamtarïγ : ïtïm bardï : .....Elteber : yoq bolmiš : inisi :
bir : qurïγa...
… they had settled at rivers. Karluk people in the east sent Tudun Yatmar to war… Elteber
was overthrew. His younger brother…
41 ...
.....arqïšï : kelmedi : anï anča tuyun : tep : süledim : qurïγaru : eki
üč kišiligin : tezip bardï : qara budun : qaγanïγ : kelti tep : ög.....qa
: at bertim : kečig atlïγ : ...
… did not reach caravan. I attacked them to capture… as the kagan had came, the common
people… I gave a horse…
The Bilge Kagan inscription. 1st side.
1
...öŋüg : yoγuru : sü yorïp : tünli : künli : jeti : ödüške : subsïz :
kečtim : Čuruqqa : tegip : yoluγ...
…days and nights seven days without water went on campaign to Churuk…
2
...γač : atlïγ : süsi : bir tümen : artuqï : jeti biŋ : süg : ilki : kün
: ölürtim : yadaγ : süsin : ekinti kün : qop...
.. the first day bit Tabgach (Chinese) seventeen thousands cavalry army. The second day
their foot troops.
3
...ulï : süledim : otuz artuqï : sekiz : yašïma : qïšïn : Qïtaŋ tapa :
süledi : ...
…fought. When I was thirty eight fought with Kitans in winter…
4
men...ölürtim : oγulïn : yotuzïn : jïlqïsïn : barïmïn : ...
I …killed everybody: children, wives, horses…
5
budun...
People…
6
yor...
...
7
süŋü... üčün :
war …for
8
bertim : alïp erin : balbal : qïlu : bertim : elig : yašïma : Tatabï :
budun : Qïtaŋda : аdïrïl...
Gave away. Established balbals for the great soldier. To my fifty years old, Tatabi people in
Kitan…
9
Uquγ Seŋün : bašda : törüt : tümen : sü kelti : Tüŋker : taγda : tegip :
toqïdtïm : üč tümen : süg : .......
Ukug sengun attacked with four thousands army. I stopped them in the Tunker mountains.
Three thousand troops…
10
 ölürti : uluγ : oγulïm : aγïrïp : yoq bolča : Uquγ Seŋünig : balbal :
tike : bertim : men : toquz : jegirmi : yašïma : olurtïm : toquz jegirmi
: jïl : qaγan : olurtïm : El tutdïm : otuz artuqï : bir : yašïma : ......
Were killed. The eldest son got ill and died. I established balbals for Ukug sengun. In my
nineteen I became a kagan. Nineteen years I was the kagan and ruled the country. When I
was thirtyone years old…
11
Türüküme : budunuma : jegin : anča qazγanu : bertim : bunča : qazγanup :
aqaŋïm qaγan : it jïl : onunč ay : altï otuzqa : uča : bardï : laγzïn :
jïl : birinči ay : jeti : otuzqa : yoγ : ertürtim : Buquγ Tutuq : ...
I gathered my Turks, my nation and established the power. After establishing the power, my
father, the kagan, died ( litr. flied away) on the twenty sixth day of the tenth month of the
Dog year. On the seventeenth day of the first month of the Boar year we mourned over
Bukug Tutuk…
12
аqaŋï : Li sün : Tay Seŋün : bašda : bes yüz erin : kelti : uquqluq :
ö...altun : kümüs : kergeksiz : kelürti : yoγ : yïparïγ : kelürip : tike
: berti : čïntan : ïγač : kelürip :

öz yarïš...
Led by father Li Sun Tai sengun five hundred soldiers came. They brought …endless amount
of gold, silver. (A huge amount of) people mourned , were bringing trees of veneration…
13
bunča : budun : sačïn : qulaqqïn : yaŋa/qïn/ : …/bï/čdï : edgü özlük atïn
: qara : kišin : kök : tejeŋin : sansïz : qop : qutï...
All people cut their hair, ears, faces. Good horses, black?, blue squirrels? Huge amount…
14
Teŋіriteg : Тeŋiri : yaratmïš : Türük : Bilge : qaγan : sabїm : aqanїm :
Türük : Bilge : /qaγan : / olurtuqïnta : Türük : їmtї : begler : kisre :
Tarduš : begler :

Kül čur : bašlayu : Šad apït : begler : öŋre : Töles : begler : Apa
Tarqan : ...
I, Tengri- llike and Tengri born Bilge kagan Turkic. Hear my words. When my father, Bilge
kagan Turkic, ruled, you, supreme Turk beks, lower Tardush beks, Shad – apyt beks led by
Kul Chur, the rest Tyules beks, Apa Tarkhan…
15
bašlayu : ulayu : Šad apït : begler : Buyruq...Taman Tarqan : Tunjuquq :
Boyla Baγa Tarqan : ulayu : Buyruq ...Ič Buyruq : Sebeg Kül Erkin :
bašlayu : ulayu : Buyruq : bunča : ïmtï : begler : aqaŋïm : ertüŋü : ...
Led by Shad – Apyt beks, Bairuks… Tamgan Tarkhan, Tonyukuk, Boila Baga Tarkhan,
Buyruqs…, Inner Buyruqs, led by Sebek Kul Erkin, all Buyruq beks! My father…
16
ertüŋü : eti ïmаγ : ...Türük : beglerin : budunïn : ertüŋü : eti ïmаγ
itdi : ügde : aqaŋï qaγan : ...ča : aγïr : tašïn : yoγïnïγ : Türük :
begler : budun : iti : ...erti : özime : bunča : ...
Expressed special praise…special praise was expressed to Turkic beks and people… my
father, the kagan,… heavy stone… Turkic beks and people were in mourning… I was so…
17
...qaγan : ...Yoluγtegin : bitidim : bunča : barïqïγ : bedizig : uzuγ :
 ...qaγan : atïsï : Yoluγtegin : men : ay artuqï : törüt kün : olurïp :
bitidim : bedizti :
…kagan… I, ( prince) Yollugtegin, had written. So many buildings and sculptures… I, (prince)
Yollugtegin, had written having sat one month and four days.
The Bilge Kagan inscription. 2nd side.
1
Teŋіriteg : Тeŋiride : bolmuš : Türük : Bilge qaγan : bödüke : olurtum :
sabїmїn : tüküti : esid : ulayu : inijügünüm : oγlanїm : biriki : oγušum
: / budunum : birije : šad apїt begler : jїrїya : tarqat : bujruq :
begler : Otuz ... Toquz Oγuz : begleri budunї : bu sabїmїn : edgüti :
esid : qatїγdї : tїŋla : ilgerü : kün : /
I, Tengri-like and Tengri- born Turkic kagan mounted the throne. Hear my words you all, my
younger brothers and my sons, my people and relatives, my nation, shad - apyt beks in the
south, tarkan and buyruq beks in the north, Thirty (Tatars?), Beks and the people of Nine
Oguzes! Hear my words and listen! All people after me in the east to sunrise,
2
toγusїqїŋa : birgerü : kün : ortusїŋaru : qurїγaru : kün : batїsїqїna :
jїrїγaru : tün : ortusїŋaru : аnta : ičreki : budun : qop : maŋa : ükü
erür erti : anča : budun qop : etdim : ulamtї : aňїγ yoq : Türük : budun
: Őtüken : yїš : olursar : elte : buŋ yoq : іlgerü : Šantuŋ : yazїqa tegi
: süledim : Taluyqa : kičig : tegmedim : birgerü : Toquz : /
In the south to the midday,in the west to the sunset, in the north to the midnight (listen to
it)! I made you more. Therу are no falseness in these words. If kagan from the Otuken
mountain rules the Turks there will not be troubles in the country. I went with my army in
the east to Shandun plain. I nearly reached the sea. I went with my army in the south to
Tokuz -
3
Ersenke : tegi : süledim : Tüpütke : kičig : tegmedim : qurїγaru : Jenčü
ügüz : keče : Temir Qapїγqa : tegi : süledim : jїrїγaru : Jer Bayїrqu :
jeriŋe : tegi : süledim :

bunča : jerke : tegi : yorutdїm : Őtüken : yїšda : jeg : їdї yoq : ermi :
El tutsar : jer : Őtüken : yїš ermiš : bu jerde : olurupan : Tabγač :
budun : birle :

tüzeltim : аltun : kümüš : is /igti :

Fought till Ersen. Nearly reached Tibet. In the west having crossed through the Pearl river
(Syrdariya), I passed with my army to Iron Gates. To the north I passed with the army to
Bairku land. I passed with my army to all these places. To the grief of Otuken there was no
a good ruler.The place wher e it is possible to rule the country is the Otuken mountain.
Sitting here I ruled Tabgach (Chinese) people. Tabgach (China) gave us a lot of gold, silver,
alcohol
4
qutuy : buŋsuz : anča berür : Tabγač : budun : sabї süčig : aγїsї :
jїmšaq : ermiš : süčig : sabїn : jїmšaq : aγїn : arїp : їraq : budunїγ :
anča yaγutї er : ermiš :

yaγuru : qontuqda : isire : aňїγ bilgin anta üjür : ermis : еdgü : bilge
: kišig : edgü : alїp : кišig : jorutmaz : ermis : bir кiši : yaŋїlsar :
oγušї : budunї : besükiŋe : tegi : uqїdmаz :
and silk. Tabgaches (Chinese) have sweet words and soft silk. Deceiving by their sweet
 words and soft silk they attract people from far places. As soon as people approach them
they stupefy them more. They do not allow wise and good man to approach them. They
destroy beginning with one person to the whole family and clan.
5
ermis : süčig : sabїŋa : jїmšaq : aγїsїŋa : аrturїp : üküš : Türük :
budun : ölteg : Türük : budun : ölsekiŋ : berje : Čuγay : Yїš : Тügeltin
: yazї : qonuyїn tеser : Türük : budun : ölsekiginte : аňїγ kiši : anča :
bošγurur : ermis : їraq erser : yablaq : aγї berür : yaγїl : erser : edgü
: aγї berür : tep anča : bošγurur : ermis : bilig :
Being deceived by their sweet words and soft silk, you Turkic people, were dieing. Turkic
people intended to settle down in the Chugai mountains in Tugeltin plain in the south. They
brought the Turkic people to death by deceiving. They deceived them that would they give
bad silk if they lived far from them and would give goo d silk if they lived near.
6
bilmez : kiši : ol sabïγ : alïp : yaγïru : barïp : üküš kiši : ölteg : оl
jergerü : barsar : Türük : budun : öltečisеn : Ötüken : jer : olurup :
аrqïš : tirkiš : ïsar : neŋ buŋïγ yoq : Ötüken : Yïš : olursar : beŋgü :
el tuta : olurtačïsïn : Türük : budun : toq аrïqqasïn : аčsïq : tosïq
ümüzsen : bіr : tоdsar : аčsïq : ümüzsen : antaγïŋïn : üčün : іgіdmiš :
qaγanŋïn :
Ignorant people followed these words, came near and all died. If you go to those places, oh,
Turkic people, you would die! If you stay in Otuken land, and send caravans from there, you
will not have any troubles. If you stay in Otuken mountains you will live, ruling other nations
forever! Oh, Turkic people, you are so full. You do not think of hunger and abundance.
Having been full once you never think of being hungry. Because of your frivolity and your
disobedience to your kagan,
7
sabïn : almatïn : Jer sayu : bardïq : qop anta : alqïntïγ : arïltïγ :
anta qalmïšï : Jer : sayu qop : turu : ölü : yorïyor erteg : Teŋіri :
yarïlqadïqïn : üčün : özüm : qutum : bar üčün : qaγan : olurtum : qaγan :
olurup : yoq : čïγaŋ : budunïg : qop : qubartïdïm : čïγaŋ : budunïγ : bay
qïltïm : ne budunïγ : üküš : qïltïm : azu bu
who nourished you, you all took a run. We (Turks) became weak. He who survived was
extremely exhausted. But Tengri was gracious and mounted me to the throne. Inheriting the
throne I helped poor and deprived people. I made poor people rich and few people
numerous.
8
sabïmdï : іgіd barγu : Тürük : begler : budun : bunï : esidiŋ : Тürük
budunïγ terip : el tutsaqïŋïn : bunta : urtum : yaŋïlïp : ölsekiŋin :
yeme : bunta : urtum : neŋ neŋ : sabïm : erser : beŋgü : tašqa : urtum :
aŋar körü : biliŋ : Тürük amtï : budun : begler : bödüke : körügme :
begler gü : yaŋïltïčïsïn : men : b/eŋgü : tašqa : urtum : /
My word is blessed. О Turkish lords and people, hear this! In order to join together all
Turkish people and direct our country, I left the stone inscription. For you not to be
deceived and destroyed I have inscribed on this eternal stone. Read these words! You,
Turkish people and lords! I wrote these eternal stones together with the lords who had
already been deceived.
9
qaγan : ečim qaγan : olurtïqunta : törüt : buluŋdaqï : budunïγ : bunča :
itmis : bunča : yaratmïš : Teŋiri : yarïlqaduq : üčün : özüm : qaγan :
olurtuqïma : törüt : buluŋdaqï : itdim : yaratdïm : ...qïltïm : men :
 Türügeš : qaγanqa : qïzïmïn : bertim : erteŋü : uluγ : törün : alï bertim
: Türü...
When my father ruled we conquered the people in all four parts of the world, made them
numerous. With Tengri’s bless, when I became the kagan I conquered more people in all
four parts of the world, made the more numerous, established law and power. Turkic…
10
qïzïn : erteŋü : uluγ : törün : oγulïma : alï bertim : T...erteŋü : uluγ
: törün : alï bertim : ...ertürtimi...bašlïγïγ : jöküntürtim : tizеligig
: sökürtim : üze : Teŋiri : asïra : Jer : yarïlqaduq : üčün :
Married to the daughter and gave the power to my son. … gave the power… those who had
knees made genuflect their knees and who had heads - bow them. With the blessing of
Tengri above and the Earth below,
11
közün : körmedük : qulaqqïn : esidmedük : budunmïn : ilgerü kün :
toγsïqïŋa : ...birgerü : Tab...qa...qurïγaru : ...jïrγaru : ......tïn :
örüŋ kümüšin : qïraγï aγïlï : qutayïn : ekinlik : isigtisin : özlek :
atïn : adγïrïn : qara kišin : ...
My blind and deaf nation in the east Tab… silver, silk, vegetables, vodka, horses, servants…
12
kök : teyiŋin : Türüküme : budunïma : qazγanu : bertim : iti
bertim...buŋsïz : qïltïm : üze Teŋiri : eriklig : .....bud...tümen :
...rin : budu...
Gave the blue squirrels to my Turkic people… left without grief. Above is Tengri,…
13
...ma : egidiŋ : emgetimiŋ : tolγatmaŋ : olurtum : Türük : begler : Türük
: budunum : ...bertim : ...tašïγ...qazγanmïš : aγïman : bu qaγanïŋda :
beglerig...Türük...
…bless. Turkic beks, Turkic people were without sufferings and grieves… I gave … ruled and
became rich. Kagans and beks …
14
meni : edgü : körtečisin : ebiŋe : kirtečisin : buŋsuz : boltačïsïn :
......kisre : Tabγač : qaγanta : bedizči : kelürtim : ...sabïmï : sïmadï
: ...ičreki : bedizčig : ïtï : aŋar : tašïγ : barïqïn : yaratdïm : ičin :
tïšïn : adïnčïγ : barïq : urturdïm : ...
Admit me in the honor of… Enter your house, do not be sad… from the south I got Tabgach
(Chinese) kagan’s clerk. … the clerks of the palace made stone buildings and inside and
outside were beautifully decorated…
15
On oq : oγulïŋa : tatïŋa : tegi : bunï : körü : biliŋ : taš : toqïtdïm :
.....jertr...
From sons of Ten Arrows to wives, see this. Erected stone inscriptions…
The Bilge Kagan inscription. Chinese text side.
1 ...
...öze ...
… in the top…
2
Bilge qaγan : ...
Bilge kagan…
3
 yay bolsar : ....
When summer has come…
4
Ük öbürgesi : erteči : ....
...
5
taγda : sïγun : teser : ...
If they say to pray in the mountains…
6
saqunurmïn : aqaŋïm : ...
Will miss. Farther…
7
tašïn : özüm : qaγan : ....
Stone, I myself, kagan…
 KUL TIGIN INSCRIPTIONS
The Kultegin Inscription (1-40 lines)
1
Öze Kök : Teŋіri132 : asïra : yaγïz : Jer : qïlïntaquda : ekin ara : kisi
: oγulï : qïlïnmïs : kisi : oγulïnta : öze : ečüm apam : Bumïn qaγan133 :
Estemi qaγan134 : olurmïš : olurupan : Türük : budunïγ : Elin : törüsün :
tuta : bermis : iti : bermis :
When the blue sky above and the brown earth below were created, between them a human
being was created. Over the human beings, my ancestors Bumin Kagan and Istemi Kagan
ruled. They ruled people by Turkish laws, they led them and succeeded.
2
törüt : buluŋ : qop : yaγï ermis : sü sülepen : törüt : buluŋtaqï :
budunïγ : qop almïš : qop baz qïlmïs : bašlïγïγ : jüküntürmüs : tizеligig
: sökürmüs : ilgerü : Qadïrqan : Jïšqa tegi : keri : Temir qapïγqa tegi :
qonturmus : ekin ara :
From all four sides there were enemies. They sent there lance -bearing armies to conquer all
those people in the four quarters of the world and made them still. They made bow those,
who had heads and made kneel those, who had knees. To eastwards up to the K adyrkhan
mountain forests and westwards as far as the Iron Gate they went on campaign.
3
ïdï oqsuz : Kök Türük : anča : olurur ermis : bilge : qaγan ermis : alïp
qaγan ermis : bujruq jeme : bilge ermis erinč : alïp ermis erinč :
begleri jeme : budunï jeme : tüz ermis : anï üčün : Еlig : anča tutmus :
erinč : Еlig tutup : Тörüg : etmis : üze anča :
There were Kok (Blue) Turks between the two boundaries, having neither rulers nor masters.
Wise kagans were they. Great kagans were they. Their buyruqs (officials), too, were wise
and brave, indeed. They were great too. Both the lords and people were straightforward and
honest. For this reason, kagans were able to rule the state.
4
 kergek : bolmus : yoγučï : sïγïtčï : öŋre : kün : toγusïqta138 : Böküli :
Čölüg el139 : Tabγač : Tüpüt140 : Apar 141 : Purum142 : Qïrqïz143 : Üč
Qurïqan146 : Otuz Tatar144 : Qïtaň 145 : Tatabi147 : bunča : budun : kelipen
: sïγïtamïs : yoγulamïs : antïγ : külüg : qaγan : ermis : anta kisre :
inisi : qaγan :
They (the lords) thus passed away (lit.: 'flied away to Tengri'). As mourners and laments
there came from the east, the representatives of the people of the Böküli Čölüg (Korea),
Tabγač (Chinese), Avar, Rome, Kirgiz, Uc -Quriqan, Otuz -Tatar, Qitaŋ and Tatabi, this ma ny
people came and mourned and lamented. So famous kagans were they. Then the younger
brothers became kagans,
5
bolmis erinč : oγulï atï : qaγan : bolmis erinč : anta kisre : inisi :
ečisin teg : qïlïnmadïq erinč : oγulï : аqaŋïn teg : qïlïnmadïq erinč :
bilgesiz : qaγan : olurmïs erinč : yablaq : qaγan : olurmïs erinč :
bujruqï : jeme : bilgesiz erinč : yablaq ermis erinč :
and their sons became kagans. But, apparently the younger brothers did not resemble their
elder brothers. The sons did not resemble their fathers. Unwise kagans succeeded to the
throne. Bad kagans succeeded to the throne.
6
begleri : budunï : tüzsüz : üčün : Tabγačbudun : teblegin : körlüg : üčün
: armaqčïsïn : üčün : inili : ečili : kеksürtükin : üčün : begli :
budunlïγ : yoŋušurtuqïn : üčünTürük : budun : elledik : Еlin : ïčγanu :
ïdmïs :
The lords and people went unfair. Since they give way to Chinese people, since they were
defrauded by them, younger and elder brothers became revengeful and enemy to each other.
Turkish people were exiled.
7
qaγanladïq : qaγanïn : jetіrü : ïdmïs : Tabγač budunqa : beglik : urï
oγulïn : qul : boltï : silik : qïz oγulïn : küŋ boltï : Türük : begler :
Türük : atïn : ïtï : Tabγačγï : begler : Tabγač : atïn : tutupan : Tabγač
: qaγanqa :
The kagans were exiled. Chinese people made your kind sons slave; made your beautiful
daughters servant. The Turkish lords forgot their Turkish titles. Those lords held Chinese
titles and obeyed the Chinese emperor for fifty years,
8
körmüs : elig jïl : isig küčüg : bermis : ilgerü : kün toγusïqda : Böküli
: qaγanqa : tegi : sülüjü : bermis : qurïγaru : Temir qapïγqa : tegi :
sülüjü : bermis : Tabγač : qaγanqa : Еlin : törüsin : alï bermis : Türük
: qara : qamïγ :
and gave their deeds and services to him. They went on campaigns up to the Böküli kagan in
east, and as far as the Iron Gate in west. They gave the Chinese emperor to rule the state
and lordship.
9
budun : anča temis : Еllig : budun ertim : Еlim : ïmtï qanï : kіmke :
Еlig : qazγanurman : tеr ermis : qaγanlïγ : budun : ertim : qaγanïm qanï
: ne qaγanqa : isig küčüg : berürmen : tir ermis : anča tep : Tabγač :
qaγanqa : yaγï bolmïs :
Then, Turkish common people said as follows: "I had a state. Where is my state now? Who
do I give my state to? I had kagans. Where is my kagan now? Who do I give my deeds and
services to?" So they became hostile to the Chinese emperor.
10
 yaγï bolïp : etіnü : yаrаtunu : umаdïq : yana : ičіkmis : bunča : isig
küčüg : bertük gerü : saqïnmаtï : Türük : budun : ölürüjen :
urïγsaratïyan : ter ermis : yuqadu : barïr : ermis : öze : Türük :
Teŋrisi : Türük : Ïduq Jeri :
They became hostile and strike against, (but) they submitted again. They were near to
annihilated. They couldn't get that they gave all their deeds and services, they had no warn
against. All Turkish people degraded, they had no generation and went to ruins. Then Turk
Tengri above, Turkish holy Earth
11
subï : anča temis : Türük : budun : yoq : bolmazun : tejin : budun bolčun
tejin : аqanïm : Elteris qaγanïγ : ögüm : Elbilge qatunïγ : Teŋіri :
töpesinte : tutup :

jügürü : kötürmüs erinč : aqanïm : qaγan : jeti jegirmi : erin : tašqïmïs

: tašïra :
and Water said as follows: "in order to Turkish people would not go to ruin and in order to it
should be a nation again", they rose my father Ilteris Kagan, and my mother Ilbilga Katun,
to the top and sat them upwards on the throne. My father, the kagan, gath ered together
seventeen brave lords.
12
yoruyor : tejin : ükü еsidіp : balïqdaqï : taγïqmïs : taγdaqï : inmis :
tirilip : jetmis er bolmïs : Teŋіri : küč : bertük : üčün : аqanïm :
qaγan : süsi : böri teg : ermis :

yaγïsï : qoň teg ermis : ilgerü : qurïγaru : sülep : tеrmis : qubartmïs :

qamïγï :
All having heard that they went off on campaigns, those who were in towns went off to
fields, and those who were on mountains went down, gathered together seventy brave men.
Tengri gave them power, my father's army was like wolves, their enemies were like sheep.
Having gone on campaigns forward and backward,
13
jetijüzer : bolmïs : jetijüzer : bolïp : elsiremis : qaγansïramïs :
budunïγ : küŋdemis : quldamïs : budunïγ : Türük : törüsün : ïčγanmïs :
budunïγ : ečümаpam : törüsünče : yarаtmïs : bušγurmïs : Töles :
Tarduš148 : budunïγ : /anta itmis : /
gathered together seven hundred soldiers. After they had numbered seven hundred men, he
brought them to order and trained people who had lost their state and their kagan, people
who had turned to slaves and servants, people who had lost the Turkish institutions, b rought
to order and followed the rules of my ancestors. Then he gave people Tolis and Tardush
states.
14
Jabγuγ : Šadïγ149 : anta : bermis : berje : Tabγač : budun : yaγï : ermis
: jïrïya : Baz qaγan : Toquz Oγuz 150 : budunï : yaγï : ermis : Qïrγïz :
Qurïqan : Otuz Tatar : Qïtaň :

Tatabï : qop : yaγï : ermis : аqanïm : qaγan : bunča : ...

And gave them two rulers, a yabgu and a šad. Chinese people were our enemy in south,
Tokuz-Oguz people in north with Baz Kagan on head were our enemies too. The Kirgiz,
Quriqan, Otuz-Tatar, Qitaŋ and Tatabi – they all were hostile to us. My father, the kagan,
15
 qïrïq : artuqï : jeti : yolï : sülemis : jegirmi : süŋüs : süŋüsmis :
Teŋіri : yarïlqaduq : üčün : elligig : elsіretmis : qaγanlïγïγ :
qaγansïratmïs : yaγïγ : bazqïlmïs : tizelіgig : sükürmis : bašlïγïγ :
jüküntümis : qaŋïm : qaγan ...
was on campaigns forty -seven times and engaged in twenty battles. By the grace of Tengri,
he took the realm of those who had had a realm, and captured the kagan of those who had a
kagan; he subjugated enemies. He made powerful enemies kneel and proud ones to bow.
(My father, the kagan,)
16
törüg : qаzγanïp : uča : barmïs : аqaŋïm : qaγanqa : bašlayu : Baz
qaγanïγ : balbal : tikmis : ol törüde : öze : ečüm qaγan : olurtï : ečüm
qaγan : olurupan : Türük : budunïγ : ječe іtdi : іgіti : čïγaŋïγ/ : bay :
qïltï : azïγ : üküš : qïltï : /
after he had founded (such a great) empire and gained power, passed away (lit.: 'went
flying'). Balbals erected for my father, the kagan, were first erected from Baz Kagan's
balbals. My uncle succeeded to the throne then. My uncle, the kagan, organized and
nourished Turkish people anew. He made poor people rich and few people numerous.
17
ečüm qaγan : olurtuqda : özüm : Tarduš : budun : öze : šad ertim : ečüm
qaγan : birle : ilgerü : Yašïl ügüz 151 : Šantuŋ : yazïqa152 tegi :
süledimiz :

qurïγaru : Temir qapïγqa : tegi : süledimiz : Kögmen153 : аša : Qï/rqïz :

jeriŋe : tegi : süledimiz : /
When my uncle, the kagan, succeeded to the throne, I was šad over Tardush people.
Together with my uncle, the kagan, we went on campaigns eastwards up to Green River (=
Yellow River) and Shantung plain, and we went on campaigns westwards as far as the Iron
Gate, (We went on campaigns up to the land of Kirgiz) beyond the Kogmen (mountains).
18
qamïγï : bešotuz : süledimiz : üčjegirmi : süŋüšdimiz : Еlligig :
elsiretdimiz : qaγanlïγïγ : qaγansïratdïmïz : tizеligig : sökürtimiz :
bašlïγïγ : jöküntürtimiz : Türügeš154 : qaγan : Türükmüz : budunmïz : erti
: bilmedikin :
We went on campaigns twenty -five times in all and we fought thirteen times. We took the
realm of those who had a realm, and we captured the kagan of those who had a kagan; we
made powerful enemies kneel and proud ones to bow. The Turgesh kagan (and his people)
was our Turk. (Because of their unawareness and foolishness)
19
üčün : bizіŋe : yaŋïlqïn : üčün : qaγanï : ölti : buyruqï : begleri :
jeme : ölti : On oq : budun : emgek : körtü : ečümüz : apamïz : tutmïs :
Jer sub idsiz : bolmazun : tejin : az budunïγ : ïtï : ar...
their being traitorous to us, their kagan had died; his buyruqs and lords, had died too. The
On-Oq people suffered (a great deal). In order the land (lit.: 'earth and water'), which was
ruled by our ancestors, not to be left without a ruler, we organized Az peo ple and put them
in order.... and because they were treasons their kagan had died; his buyruqs and lords,
also
20
...bars beg : erti : qaγan at : bunta : biz : bertimiz : siŋilim :
qunčuyum : bertimiz : üze yaŋïltï : qaγanï : ölti : budunï : küŋ qul :
boltï : Kögmen : Jer sub : idsiz : qalmazun tejin : az Qïrqïz : budunïγ :
jarat...
 was Bars Beg. It was we, who had given him the title of kagan. We had also given him my
younger sister, the princess, in marriage. But, he betrayed (us). (As a result) the kagan was
killed and people became slaves and servants. In order the Kogman land would not remain
without a ruler, we organized the Az and Kirgiz peoples, and then we came (back) and
fought.
21
yana : bertimiz : ilgerü : Qadïrqan : Jïšïγ : aša : budunïγ : anča :
qonturtïmïz : anča : itdimiz : qurïγaru : KeŋüTarmanqa155 : tegi : Türük :
budunïγ : anča qonturtïmïz : anča tedimiz : ol ödke : qul : qullïγ :
bolmïs /küŋ : küŋlig : bolmïs : erti : inisi : ečisin : bilmez : erti :
oγulï : аqaŋïn : bilmez : erti : /
We gave (them) back.... Eastwards as far as beyond the Khingan mountains we thus settled
and organized people; westwards as far as Kaŋu Tarman we thus settled and organized
Turkish people. At that time our slaves themselves had slaves (and servants themselves had
servants. Younger brothers did not acknowledge their elder brothers, and sons did not
acknowledge their fathers).
22
anča : qazγanmïs : etmis : Еlіmiz : törümіz : erti : Türük : Oγuz :
begleri : budun : esidiŋ : üze Teŋіri : basmasar : asraJer : tilinmeser :
Türük : budun : Еliniŋ : törüsün : kim : artatï /udаč...ï : Türük : budun
: ert...z : /
We had such well-acquired and well -organized state and power. You, Turkish and Oguz lords
and peoples, hear this! If the sky above did not collapse, and if the earth below did not go
away, what could destroy your state and power? О Turkish people, regret a nd repent!
23
ökün : körügüŋin : üčün : igidmiš : bilge : qaγaŋïn : ermiš barmïš : edgü
Еliŋ : kentü : yaŋïltïγ : yablaq : kegürteg : yarаqlïγ : qantan : kelіp :
yaňaеltedi : süŋgülüg : qandan : kelіp : süre еltedi : Ïduq Ötüken :
/jer…..budun : bardïq : ilgerü : barïγma /
Because of your unruliness, you yourselves betrayed your wise kagan, who had (always)
supported you. And you yourselves betrayed your good realm, which was free and
independent. And you (yourselves) caused discord. Where did the armed (people) come from
and dispersed you? Where did the lancer come from and carried you away? You, people of
sacred Otukan mountains, it was you, who went away.
24
bardïγ : qurïγaru : barïγma : bardïγ : bardïq : jerde : edgüg : ol erinč
: qanïŋ : subča : jügürti : söŋükün : taγča : yatаdï : beglik : urï
oγulïŋ : qul boltï : silik qïz oγulïŋ : küŋ boltï : bilmedük üčün :
yablaqïŋïn : üčün : ečüm qaγan : uča bardï :
Those (of you), who meant to go to east went to east, and those (of you), who meant to go
to west went to west. In places you went away, your (only) profit was the following: your
blood ran like a river, and your bones were heaped up like a mountain; your sons worthy of
becoming lords became slaves, and your daughters worthy of becoming ladies became
servants. Because of your unawareness
25
bašlayu : Qïrqïz qaγanïγ : balbal : tikdim : Türük : budunïγ : atï küsü :
yoq bolmazun : tijin : aqaŋïm qaγanïγ : ögüm qatunïγ : kötürmiš : Teŋіri
: Еl bеrigme :

Teŋіri : Türük : budun : atï küsü : yoq bolmazun : tijin : /özümüz : ol

 Teŋіri : /
and because of your mischievousness, my uncle, the kagan, met his death. First I erected
balbals (for him) beginning from Kirgiz kagan's. Tengri, which had raised my father, the
kagan, and my mother, the katun, and which had granted them a state, For the name and
fame of the Turkish people would not perish, (that Tengri)
26
qaγan : olurtadï erinč : neŋ yïlïsïγ : budunqa : olurmadïm : ičre ačsïz :
tïšra : tonsuz : yabïz yablaq : budunta : üze : olurtum : inim Kültegin
birle : sözlešdimiz : аqaŋïmïz : ečümüz : qaz/γanmïš : budun : atï küsü :
yoq bolmazun/
enthroned (me). I did not become ruler of wealthy and prosperous people at all; (on the
contrary,) I became a ruler of poor and miserable people, who were food -less inside and
cloth-less outside. I and Kultegin, my younger brother, consulted together. For the name
and fame of people, which our father and uncle had ruled, would not perish, and
27
tijin : Türük : budun : üčün : tün udïmadïm : küntüz : olurmadïm : іnim :
Kültegin birle : eki šad : birle : ölü jitü : qazγandïm : anča qazγanïp :
bіrіki : budunïγ : ot sub qïlmadïm : /men... jersayu /
For the sake of Turkish people, I did not sleep at night and I did not relax by day. Together
with my younger brother, Kultegin, the two šads, we worked to death and I won. Having won
and gathered in that way, I did not let people split into two parts like fire and water. (When)
I (succeeded to the throne) in all countries people, who had gone (in almost all directions)
28
barmïš : budun : ölü jitü : yadaγan : yalïŋïn : yana kelti : budunïγ :
igіdejin : tijin : jїrїγaru : Oγuz : budun : tapa : ilgerü : Qïtan :
Tatabï : budun : tapa : bergerü : Tabγač tapa : uluγ sü : eki jegirmi :
süledim : ... süŋüšdüm :
vagrant people came back utterly exhausted, without horses and without clothes came back.
In order to nourish people, I, with great armies, went on campaigns twelve times,
northwards against Oguz people, eastwards against the Qitan and Tatabi, southwards
against Chinese, (and I fought ... times).
29
kisre : Teŋіri : yarïlqazu : qutum : bar üčün : ülügüm : bar üčün :
ölüteči : budunïγ : tirigerü : igitim : yalaŋ budunïγ : tonlïγ : čïγaň :
budunïγ : bay qïltïm : az budunïγ : üküš qïltïm : ïγar Еlligde :
qa/γanlïγta : jeg qïltïm : törüt buluŋdaqï : /
After (that), since I had fortune and since I had good luck – my Tengri was gracious! – I
brought people to life, who were going to perish, and nourished them. I dressed naked
people with clothes and I made poor people rich and few people numerous. I made them
superior than people, who had great states and (esteemed rulers).
30
budunïγ : qop : baz qïltïm : jaγsïz qïltïm : qop : maŋa : ükü еrtі : isig
küčüg : berür : bunča : törüg : qazγanïp : inim Kültegin : üzе anča :
kergek boltï : аqanïm qaγan : učduqta : Kültegin : jiti / : jašda : qaltï
: /
I subdue all people, who live in four parts of the world. There was no enemy left. Many of
them submitted to me. My younger brother, Kultegin passed away, after he had established
the powerful lordship, where people had been giving their services to me. When my father,
the kagan, passed away, my younger brother Kultegin wa s at the age of seven...
31
Umay teg : ögüm : qatun : qutuŋa : inim Kültegin : er at boltï : altï
jegirmi : jašïŋa : ečüm qaγan : Еlin : törüsün : anča : qazγantï : Altï
čub : Soγdaq tapa : süledimiz : buzdïmïz : Tabγač : On Tutuq : beš tümen
: sü kelti : süŋüšdümüz :
My younger brother Kultegin became a man due to good luck of my Umay -like mother, the
katun. When he was sixteen, my uncle, the kagan, gathered the lords. We went on a
campaign in direction of Six -Čub Sogdian colonies. The Chinese governor On-Tutuq came
with fifty thousand armies. And we fought.
32
Kültegin : jadaγаn : оplayu tegdi : On Tutuq : Yorčïn : yarаqlïγ : eligin
tutdï : yarаqlïγdï : qaγanqa : ančulаdï : ol süg : anta yoq qïšdïmïz :
bir otuz : jašïŋï : Čača : Sünke : süŋüšdümüz : еŋ ilki : Tadqïs Čurïŋ :
boz/ atïγ : binip : tegdi : ol at anta : /
Kultegin attacked on his foot. He took On -Tutuq Yorčyn with his army. He showed their
weapons to the kagan. We destroyed that army then. When he was twenty -one years old, we
fought against General Čača. First he mounted Tadqyš Čor's gray horse and attacked. That
horse died there.
33
ölti : ekinti : Ϊšbara Yamtar : boz atïγ : binip : tegdi : ol at anta :
ölti : üčünčü : Jegin Sil : begiŋ : kedimlig : tоruγ at : binip : tegdi :
ol at anta : ölti : yarаqïnta : yalmasïnta : jüz artuq : oqun urtï :
jeziŋe : bašïŋa : bіr te/gmedi/
Secondly, he mounted Isbara Yamtar's gray horse and attacked. That horse died there.
Thirdly, he mounted Yigan Silbeg's dressed bay horse and attacked. That horse died there.
He was hit with more than one hundred arrows on his armor and caftan, (but) he was not hit
on head and face even once.
34
tegdiken : Türük : begler : qop bilirsiz : ol süg : anta yoq qïšdïmïz :
anta kisre : Jer Bayïrqu : Uluγ Erkin : yaγï boltï : anï yaŋï : Тürgi
Үarаγun : költe : buzdumïz : Uluγ Erkin : azqïŋa : erin : tizip : bardï :
Kültegin ...
Turkish lords, you all know what attacking is! We destroyed that army then. Then Great Irkin
of Bayirqu land became our hostile. We destroyed him too at Turgi -Yaraγun lake. The Great
Irkin ran away together with few men. Kultegin was...
35
jašïŋa : Qïrγïz tapa : süledimiz : süŋüкü : batamï : qaraγ : sükіn :
Kögmen : jïšïγ : toγa : yorïp : Qïrγïz : budunïγ : uda : basdïmïz :
qaγanïn : birle : Suŋa jïšda : süŋüšdümüz : Kültegin Bayïrqun /аq adγïrïγ
: /
... year old. We went on a campaign against Kirgiz. Dissecting lance -deep snow we marched
around the Kogman mountains and fell upon Kirgiz people. We fought with their kagan at the
Soŋa mountains. Kultegin mounted Bayirqu's (white stallion)
36
binip : оplayu : tegdi : bir : erig : oqun urtï : eki erig : udušru :
sančïdï : ol tegdikde : Bayïrqunuŋ : аq adγïrïγ : udluqïn : sïyu : urtï :
Qïrqïz : qaγanïn : ölürtimiz : elin : altïmïz : ol jïlqa : Türügeš...
and attacked. He hit one man with an arrow and killed two men with spear. He was attacking
until the backbone of Bayirqu's white stallion was broken. We killed the Kirgiz kagan and
conquered his country. In that year we marched to Turgesh ...
37
toγa : Ertis ügüzüg : keče : yorïdïmïz : Türgeš : budunïγ : uda :
basdïmïz : Türgeš : qaγan : süsi : Bolčuda : otča : borča : keltі :
süŋüšdümüz : Kültegin : bašγu boz at : binip tegdi : bašγu boz at : k...
crossing over the Irtish river. We fell upon Turgesh people and conquered them. A lot of
army of the Turgesh kagan came clustered (against us) at Bolču land. We fought with them.
Kultegin mounted Bašγu's white horse and attacked. The Bašγu's white horse ...
38
tutuztï : ekisin : özü аltizdï : anta yana : kirip : Türgeš : qaγan :
buyruqï : az tutuquγ : eligin tutdï : qaγanïn anta : ölürtimiz : elin :
altïmïz : Qara Türgeš : budun : qop ičikdi : ol budunïγ : Tabarda :
/qo.../
.... and he (i.e., Kultegin) himself captured two of them. There he again broke into (the
enemy's lines) and captured the Az Tutuq (Governor) and his army. There we killed their
kagan and subdued his country. Many of the common Turgesh people run away. We ... thos e
people in Tabar.
39
Soγdaq : budun : іtіjin tijin : Jenčü : ügüzüg : keče : Temir Qapïγqa :
tegi : süledimiz : anta kisre : Qara Türgeš : budun : yaγï bolmuš :
Keŋeres tapa : bardï : biziŋ sü : atï : turïq : azuqï : yoq erti : yablaq
kiši : er...
To subdue Sogdian people, we marched as far as the Iron Gate, crossing over the Pearl
(Syrdaria) river. Then common Turgesh people rose in revolt in back. We went back toward
Kanaris. Our army horses were lean and army had no provisions. A coward man ...
40
аlïp er : biziŋe : tegmiš erti : antaγ ödke : ökünüp : Külteginig : az
erin : ertürü : ïtmïz : uluγ süŋüš : süŋüšdümüz : Alïp Šalčï : aq atïn :
binip : tegmiš : Qara Türgeš : budunïγ : anta ölürmüš : almïš : ajna :
yorïp : ...
A brave man attacked us. We asked and sent Kultegin forward together with a few men. It
was a great battle. He mounted the white horse of Alp Šalči and attacked. There we killed
and subjugated the common Turgish people. Having marched again ...
The Kul Tegin Inscription. 2nd side.
1
... : birle : Qošu tutuq : birle : süŋüšmüs : erin qop : ölürmüš : еbin
barïmïn : qop : kelürti : Kültegin : jeti otuz : jašïŋa : Qarluq : budun
: erür barur : erikli : yaγï boltï : Tamaγ ïduq : bašta : süŋüšdümüz :
We fought with ... against Qosu Tutuq. He (i.e. Kultegin) killed many of their brave men. He
brought a lot of their properties and belongings. When Kultegin was twenty -seven years old,
he went to Karluk people. They became (our) enemy. We went on a campaign to Tamaq -iduq
headwaters.
2
Kültegin : ol süŋüšde : otuz jašаyur еrtі : Alïp šalčï : aqïn : binip :
oplayu : tegdi : eki erig : udušru : sančïdï : Qarluquγ ölürtіmіz :
altïmïz : Аz budun : yaγï boltï : Qara költe : süŋüšdümüz : Kültegin :
bir qïrïq : jašаyur еrtі : Alïp šalčï : aqïn :
Kultegin was thirty years old on that battle. He mounted the white horse of Alp Šalči and
attacked. He stabbed two men pursuing them. We won the Karluk and subjugated them. Az
people started hostilities against us. We went with a battle to the Black Lake. Kultegin was
thirty-one years old then. He mounted the white horse of Alp Šalči
3
binip : oplayu : tegdi : Az Elteberig : tutdï : Az budun : anta yoq boltï
: Ečim qaγan : Еli : qamïšïγ : boltuqïnta : budun : Еlig еkіgi :
boltuqïnta : Izgel : budun : birle : süŋüšdümüz : Kültegin : Alïp šalčï :
aqïn : binip :
and attacked. He took the governor of Az people to prison. Az people were annihilated then.
When the empire of my uncle, the kagan, became shaky and when country was split into two
parts, we fought against the Izgil people. Kultegin mounted the white horse of Alp Šalči
4
[oplayu : tegd] i : ol at anta : tüstü : Izgel : budun : öltü : Toquz
Oγuz : budun : kentü : budunïm : erti : Teŋіri : jer : bolγaqïn : üčün :
yaγï boltï : bir yïlqa : beš yolï : süŋüšdümüz : eŋ ilki : Toγu balïqda :
süŋüšdümüz
and attacked. That horse fell down there. Izgil people were killed and destroyed. Tokuz -
Oguz people were my own people. Since Tengri and earth became in disorder them, they
revolted against us. We fought five times in a year. First we fought at Toγu -Balïq (city).
5
Kültegin : Azman aqïγ : binip : oplayu : tegdi : altï erig : sančïdï : sü
/tï/šïsïndа : yetinč erig : qïlïčladï : ekinti : Qušluγqada Еdiz : birle
: süŋüšdümüz : Kültegin : Az yaγïzïn : binip : oplayu : tegdi : bir erig
: sančïdï :
Kultegin mounted white horse Azman and attacked. He stabbed six men with his lance. In
hand-to-hand fighting he cut down the seventh man with a sword. The Second time we
fought against Еdiz at Qušluγqaq. Kultegin mounted his brown horse Az and attacked. He
stabbed one man with a lance.
6
toquz erig egire : toqïtï : budun : anta ölti : üčünč : Bоl/ču/da : Oγuz
birle : süŋüšdümüz : Kültegin : Azman atïγ : binip : tegdi : sančïdï :
Učuš bašïnta : süŋüšdümüz : Türük :
He took nine men to prison. Their people were killed then. The third time we fought against
Oguz at Bolču. Kultegin mounted his Azman horse and attacked and stabbed. We fought at
Učuš headwaters. Turkish
7
budun : Adïr Qamïšta : yablaq boltï : erti : öze : kelmiš : süsin :
Kültegin : ïγïtïp : Toŋra : bir oγuš : alpaγu : on erig : Toŋra tegin
yoγïnta : egirip : ölürtümüz : besinči : Ezgenti : Qadïzda : Oγuz : birle
: süŋüšdümüz : Kültegin : Az yaγïzïn : binip : tegdi : eki erig : sančïdï
: balïqa : barmadï ol sü : anta öltü : Маγï Qorγan : qïšlap : yazïŋа :
Oγuz γaru : sü tašqadïmïz : Kültegin : beg bašlayu : aqïtmïz : Oγuz yaγï
: оrduγ : basdï : Kültegin :
people were coward at Adïr Qamïs. Kultegin put their army, which had come earlier
assaulting. We surrounded and killed ten giant warriors of Toŋra tribe at the funeral of
(Prince) Toηrategin. Fifthly, we fought against Oguz at Azginti -Qadiz. Kultegin mounted his
brown horse Az and attacked. He stabbed two men. He didn't go to city. That army was
killed (= defeated) there, not arriving to the city. After we spent winter at Maγï -Qorγan, in
spring we marched off with an army against Oguz. Kultegin being in home comm anded the
camp.
8
Ögsiz aqïn : binip : toquz erіn : sančïdï : оrduγ : bermedi : ögüm qatun
: ulayu : ögelerim : eklerim : kelüŋünüm : qunčuylarïm : bunča jeme :
tirigі : küŋ boltačï erti : ölüge : yortadï : yolta : yatu qïltаčï :
 ertegin :
The hostile Oguz attacked the camp. Having mounted his white orphan horse, Kultegin
stabbed nine men and did not give the camp. My mother, Katun, and my stepmothers, my
mothers-in-law, my elder sisters, my daughters -in-law, my princesses all these people would
become slaves. They would have been left lying dead on roads.
9
Kültegin : yoq erser : qop : ölteči : ertegiz : inim : Kültegin : kergek
: boltï : özüm : saqïntïm : körür : közüm : körmez teg : bilür : biligim
: bilmez teg : boltï : özüm saqïntïm : Őd Teŋri : yasar : kisi oγlu : qop
: ölgeli : törürmiš :
If Kultegin had never existed, we all would have been died. My younger brother Kultegin
passed away. I mourned myself missing him. My eyes to see became as if they were blind.
My mind to think became as if it were unconscious. I mourned myself missing him. Tengri
creates death. Human beings have all been created in order to die.
10
anča : saqïntïm : közde : yaš kelser : etide : köŋülte : sïγat : kelser :
yantïru : saqïntïm : qatïγdï : saqïntïm : еk šаd : ulayu : inijigünüm :
olγanïm : beglerim : budunum : közi qačï : yablaq : boltačï tep :
saqïntïm : yoγčï : sïγtačï : Qïtań : Tatabï : budun : bašlayu :
I mourned badly. Tears dropped down from my eyes and didn't stop. Sorrow captured my
heart and didn't pass away. I cried missing him always. I mourned deeply in sorrow. I
worried that the eyes and eyebrows of two šads and of my younger brothers left behind, my
sons, my lords and all of my people could have been coward. I missed him. Heading
mourners and lamenters of Qitaη and Tatabi peoples,
11
Udur Seŋün : kelti : Tabγač qaγanta : Isіje : Likеŋ : kelti : bir tümen
aγï : altun kümüš : kergeksiz : kelürti : Tüpüt : qaγanta : Bülün : kelti
: qurïya : kün : batsïqdaqï : Soγud : Berčеker : Buqaraq ulus : budunta :
Іneк Seŋün : Оγul Тarqan : kelti :
Udar Seŋün came. From the Chinese emperor, Isіje Likеŋ came. He brought immeasurable
quantity of silk, gold and silver in abundance. From the Tibet kagan Bülin came. Inek Seŋün
and Oγal Tarkan came from Sogdians, Persians and Bukhara people in west.
12
On oq : oγulum : Türügeš : qaγanta : Maqrač : tamγačï : Oγuz : Bilge :
tamγačï : kelti : Qïrqïz : qaγanta : Tarduš : Ïnanču Čur : kelti :
Barïq156 : itgüči : Bediz157 : yaratïγma : bitig taš158 : itgüči : Tabγač :
qaγan : čiqanï : Čеŋ Seŋün : kelti :
From my On-Ok descendants, from the Turgesh kagan, seal -keepers Maqarač and Oγuz Bilge
came. From the Kirgiz kagan, Tardush Inanču Čor came. Čan Seŋün, the nephew of the
Chinese Emperor, came in order to build the mausoleum, to make sculptures, to paint and to
prepare inscription stone inscriptions.
13
Kültegin : qoň : jïlqa : jeti : jegirmeke : učdï : toquzïnčï ay : jeti
otuzqa : yoγ : ertürtümüz : barïqïn : bedizin : bitig tašïn : bičin jïlqa
: jetinč ay : jeti otuzqa : quplatïmïz : Kültegin : özі qïrq : artuq :
jiti yašïn : boltït : taš /barïqïn/ : bunča : bedizčig : tuyγun : El
teber : kelürti :
Kultegin passed away (lit.: 'flew away to Tengri') on the seventeenth day of the Sheep Year.
We held (his) funeral on the twenty -seventh day of the ninth month. We finished his
mausoleum, the statues and paintings, and his inscription stone on the twenty -seventh day
 of the seventh month, in the Monkey Year. Kultegin was at age of forty -seven. The Tuyγun
Elteber brought all of these sculptors and painters.
14
bunča : bitig : bitigme : Kültegin : atïsï : Joluγ tegin : bitidim :
jegirme : kün : olurup : bu tašqa : bu : tamqa : qop : Joluγ tegin :
bitidim : ïγar : oγlanïŋïzdа : tuyγunïŋïzda : jegde : jegdür : ertigiz :
uča bardïγïz : Teŋiri : tirigedkeči :
The one, who had inscribed all these inscriptions – I, (Prince) Yolluγtegin, the nephew of
Kultegin. Having sat down twenty days I, (Prince) Yolluγtegin, inscribed all these inscriptions
on this stone. For sons and relatives to cry. Blessed you. You passed away (lit.: 'went
flying') until Tengri gives you life again.
The Kul Tegin Inscription. Chinese inscription side.
1
qurïdun : /?/uγud еrtі : inim Kültegin : ölti...isig küčüg : bertik üčün
: Türük : Bilge qaγan : yoqïqa : inim Kültegin : közdü : olurt... Ininču
: apa : yarγan : tarqan : atïγ : bertim /...?/
From west ... my younger brother Kultegin had died… gave his services, my younger brother
Kultegin (ordered to sat) a watcher of the tomb of Turkish Bilga kagan… I gave him the title
Inanču Apa Yarγan Tarqan ...
The Kul Tegin Inscription. 3rd side.
1
Teŋіriteg : Тeŋiride : bolmuš : Türük : Bilge : qaγan : bu ödüke :
olurtum : sabїmїn : tüküti : esid+egil : ulayu : inijügünüm : oγlanїm :
biriki : oγušum : budunum : birije : šad apїt begler : jїrїya : tarqat :
bujruq : begler : Otuz ...
I, Tengri-like and Tengri-born Turkish Bilge Kagan, succeeded to the throne at this time.
Hear my words, all of you, my younger brothers and my sons, and my nation and relatives,
my people! You, Šad -apit lords in south, tarkans and buyruq lords in north, Otuz (Tatar?),
2
Toquz Oγuz : begleri budunї : bu sabїmїn : edgüti : esid : qatїγdї :
tїŋla : ilgerü : kün : toγusїqa : birgerü : kün : ortusїŋaru : qurїγaru :
kün : batїsїqїna : jїrїγaru : tün : ortusїŋaru : аnta : ičreki : budun :
qop : maŋa : ükü erür : anča : budun
Tokuz-Oguz lords and people! Hear these words of mine well, and listen hard! All people
following me eastwards to sunrise, southwards to midday, westwards to sunset, and
northwards to midnight (listen this)!
3
qop : etdim : ulamtї : aňїγ yoq : Türük : qaγan : Őtüken : yїš : olursar
: elte : buŋ yoq : іlgerü : Šantuŋ : yazїqategi : süledim : Taluyqa :
kičig : tegmedim : birgerü : Toquz : Ersenke : tegi : süledim : Tüpütke :
kičig : tegmedim : qurїγaru : Jenčü ügüz :
I made you more. There is no false in these words. If the Turkish kagan rules from the
Otukan mountains, then there will be no trouble in country. I went on campaigns eastwards
up to the Shantung plain. I almost reached the sea. I went on campaigns southwards up to
Tokuz-Arsin. I almost reached Tibet. Westwards beyond the Pearl River
4
keče : Temir Qapїγqa : tegi : süledim : jїrїγaru : Jer Bayїrqu : jeriŋe :
tegi : süledim : bunča : jerke : tegi : yorutdїm : Őtüken : yїšda : jeg :
їdї yoq : ermiš : El tutsar : jer : Őtüken : yїš ermiš : bu jerde :
olurupan : Tabγač : budun : birle :
 I went on campaigns up to the Iron Gate. Northwards I went on campaigns up to Bayirqu
land. I went on campaigns up to all these places. There was no good ruler in the Otukan
mountain. The place from which the country can be controlled is the Otukan mountain.
Having stayed in this place, I ruled
5
tüzeltim : аltun : kümüš : isigti : qutuy : buŋsuz : anča berür : Tabγač
: budun : sabї : süčig : aγїsї : jїmšaq : ermiš : süčig : sabїn : jїmšaq
: aγїn : arїp : їraq : budunїγ : anča yaγutї er : ermiš : yaγuru :
qontuqda : isire : aňїγ bilge : anta üjür : ermis :
the Chinese people. The words of Chinese people, who give us gold, silver, alcohol and
treasures in abundance, have always been sweet and silks have always been soft. Deceiving
by their sweet words and soft silks, they attract people to come from remote place s. After
people have settled close to them, they made people be addicted to them even more.
6
еdgü : bilge : kišig : edgü : alїp кišig : jorutmaz : ermis : bir кiši :
yaŋїlsar : oγušї : budunї : besükiŋe : tegi : uqїdmаz : ermis : süčig :
sabїŋa : jїmšaq : aγїsїŋa : аrturїp : üküš : Türük : budun : ölteg :
Türük : budun : ölsekiŋ : berje : Čuγay : Yїš : Тügeltin :
They do not let wise men and brave men come close. They corrupt beginning from a single
man up to his whole family and clan. Having been deceived by their sweet words and soft
silk, you Turkish people, died! In order to survive Turkish people intended to settle at the
Čuγay mountains in south on Тügeltin
7
yazї : qonuyїn tеser : Türük : budun : ölsekiginte : аňїγ kiši : anča :
bošγurur : ermis : їraq erser : yablaq : aγї berür : yaγїl : erser : edgü
: aγї berür : tep anča : bošγurur : ermis : bilig : bilmez : kiši : ol
sabïγ : alïp : yaγïru : barïp : üküš kiši : ölteg :
plain. They deceived so much, that led Turkish common people to death. They lied that they
would give bad silk if be afar, and would give good silk if they would be close to them.
Unwise people followed that words, went close and all died.
8
оl jergerü : barsar : Türük : budun : öltečisеn : Ötüken : jer : olurup :
аrqïš : tirkiš : ïsar : neŋ buŋïγ yoq : Ötüken : Yïš : olursar : beŋgü :
el tuta : olurtačïsïn : Türük : budun : toq аrïqqasïn : аčsïq : tosïq
ümüzsen : bіr : tоdsar : аčsïq : ümüzsen : antaγïŋïn :
If you go toward those places, О Turkish people, you will die! If you stay in the land of
Otukan, and send caravans from there, you will have no trouble. If you stay at the Otukan
mountains, you will live forever dominating the countries! О Turkish people, you always
regard yourselves as satiated. You do not think of being hungry or satiated. Once satiated,
you forget of being hungry. On account of your being so,
9
üčün : іgіdmiš : qaγanŋïn : sabïn : almatïn : Jer Sayu : bardïq : qop
anta : alqïntïγ : arïltïγ : anta qalmïšï : Jer : Sayu qop : turu : ölü :
yorïyor erteg : Teŋіri : yarïlqadïqïn : üčün : özüm : qutum : bar üčün :
qaγan : olurtum : qaγan : olurup :
you didn't listen to the words of your kagan, who had nourished you. You went away in all
directions. You completely tired and become weak. Those who survived where utterly
exhausted. But Tengri was gracious, and since I was granted with fortune, I succeeded to
the throne. Having succeeded to the throne,
10
 yoq : čïγaŋ : budunïg : qop : qubartïdïm : čïγaŋ : budunïγ : bay qïltïm :
ne budunïγ : üküš : qïltïm : azu bu sabïmdï : іgіd barγu : Тürük : begler
: budun : bunï : esidiŋ : Тürük budunïγ terip : el tutsaqïŋïn : bunta :
urtum : yaŋïlïp : ölsekiŋin : yeme :
I changed all poor and destitute people. I made poor people wealthy and few people
numerous. This word of mine is blessed! О Turkish lords and people, hear this! In order to
join together all Turkish people and direct our country, I have inscribed here: Being
deceived you will die.
11
bunta : urtum : neŋ neŋ : sabïm : erser : beŋgü : tašqa : urtum : aŋar
körü : biliŋ : Тürük amtï : budun : begler : bödüke : körügme : begler gü
: yaŋïltïčïsïn : men : b/eŋgü : tašqa : urtum : /Tabγač : qaγanta :
bedizči : kelürtüm : bediztim : meniŋ : sabïmïn : sïmdï :
All words which I wanted to say I have inscribed on this eternal stone. Read these
inscriptions! You, Turkish people now and lords! With the lords who had already been
deceived there I had inscribed. I get painters from the Chinese emperor, and ordered them
to inscribe. They put all my words on the stone.
12
Tabγač : qaγanïŋ : ičreki : bedizčig : ïtï : aŋar adïnčïγ : barïq :
yaraturtïm : ičin : tïšïn : adïnčïγ : bediz : urturtïm : taš toqïtdïm :
köŋilteki : sabïmïn : /ul tašqa urturtïm : on oq : oγulïŋa : /аt atïŋa :
tegi : körü : biliŋ : beŋgü taš : toqïtdïm :
The court painters of the Chinese emperor took part. I got them to build an extraordinary
mausoleum. They decorated the inside and outside with wonderful paintings and sculptures.
They inscribed all my word on the stone, I had all the words in my mind reco rded. See these
inscriptions and get lessons, all of you from my On -Ok descendants to slaves. I had the
memorial stone inscribed.
13
bu erig : jer : оtqa : er erig jerte : еrse erinč : erig jerte : beŋgü
taš : toqïtdïm : bitidim : anï körüp : anča biliŋ : ol taš /toqït/dïm bu
bitig : bitigme : atïsï : yoluγ te/gin/
This is plain place to live. I had the memorial stone erected for the brave man in this
country and inscribed on this place. See this memorial and learn its contents. ... The one
who inscribed these inscriptions is nephew (Prince) Yolluγtegin.
14
Külteginiŋ : altunïn : kümüšin : aγïšïn : barïmïn ...qarasïn : yoγïma :
tuyuγut : ..bu ...begim : tegin : jügürü : Teŋі/ri ...taš : bitidim :
Jolluγ tegin : ....
In order to take care of Kultegin's gold and silver, his treasures and possessions, his four
(thousand?) horses.... Tengri … I inscribed the stone. (Prince) Yolluγtegin...
The Kultegin inscriptions. Inscriontions on stone turtle.
1
budun...
people...
2
begler : budun : ...
lords and people ...
3
...ji : Kültegin : bi...
 ... Kultegin ...
4
...tïmïn : basdïm : ...
... subdued ...
5
.özüm : ...γ...
... I, myself,...
6
..ölü...
... die ...
7
...
...
 TONYUKUK INSCRIPTIONS
Tonyukuk’s Memorial
1 bilgaTUFxx bnuzm TBGCilya kilOm turKBUDN TBGCQa Xurrrti
177 178
Bilge Tuňuquq : ben özüm : Tabγač eliŋe : qïlïntïm : Türük budun :
Tabγačqa : ükü erür erti179 :
I myself, wise Tonyukuk, lived in Tabgach (Chinese) country. (As the whole) Turkic people
was under Tabgach (China) subjection.
2
Türük budun : qanïn bolmayïn : Tabγačda : adïrïltï : qanlantï : qanïn :
qodup : Tabγačqa : yana ičikdi : Teŋіri : anča temiš erinč : qan bertim :
Turkic people not being with their kagan, separated from Tabgach (China). (Then) having
left their kagan, joined Tabgach (China) again. Tengri told the following: “I gave you the
khan!
3
qanïn : qudup : ičikdiŋ : ičikdük üčün : Teŋіri : ölütmüš erinč : Türük
budun : ölti alqïntï : yoq boltï : Türük : Еsir180 budun : jerinte :
You, having left your khan, entered China (litr. subjected to China)!” because of this
subjection Tengri was stricken (litr. killed). Turkic people became weak (died), exhausted.
On noble Turkic land
4
bod : qalmadï : ïda tašda : qalmasï : qubranïp : jeti jüz boltï : iki
ülügi : atlïg erti : bir ülügi : yadag erti : jeti jüz : kisig :
there was no any alive person left. Those who had survived (among stones and sockets)
joined together, and (they) were seven hundred people. Two parts of them were horsemen,
 and other part was footmen. He who seven hundred people
5
uduzgïma : uluγï : šad ertim : yagïl tedi : yagïmsï ben ertim : Bilge
Tuňuquq : qaganïm uqïsayïn tedim : saqïntïm : toruq buqalï : semiz buqalï
: ïraqda :
Made follow him – was I – “shad”, the eldest among them. He said: “Gather!”. It was I who
gathered! I, wise Tonyukuk, wanted to explain my kagan and thought: whether (the future
kagan) distinguishes the difference between greasy and gaunt bulls?” I thought long: “A
gaunt bull can not contest with
6
Bu(i)lser : semiz buqa : toruq buqa tejin : bilmez ermis tejin : anča
saqïntïm : anta kisre : Teŋri bilig bertük üčün : özüm ök : qaγan qïsdïm
: Bilge : Tuñuquq : Boyla Baγa Tarqan181 :
a greasy one!” as Tengri gave me intelligence, I was the one who rose (put, announced,
acknowledged) the kagan! I, theWise Tonyukuk Boila Baga Tarkhan,
7
birle : Elteris qaγan : boluyu : beriye : Tabγačïγ : öŋre : Qïtaсïγ :
yarïya Oγuzïγ : üküš ök : ölürti : bilgisi : čabïsï : ben ök : ertim :
Čuγay quzïŋïn : Qara Qumuγ : olurur : ertimez :
In alliance with Elterish kagan, killed a lot of Tabgaches (Chinese) in the south, in the east a
lot of Kitans, in the north – Oguzes. It was I who became his wise advisor! (At that time) we
had chosen the place (lived in) Kuz Chugai kara kumyk (“Black sands”)
8
keyik jijü : tabïšγan jijü : olurur ertimez : budun : boγïzï : toq erti :
yaγïmïz : tegre : uč oq teg erti : biz : seg : ertimiz : anča olurur
erikli : Oγuz : adïntan : körüg kelti :
Our main food were deer and hears. People were full. (But) our enemies were very strong
(litr, like three arrows). We were light bags for them. A messenger came to us from free
Oguzes.
9
körüg : sabïntaγ : Toquz Oγuz : budun : öze : qaγan : olurtï ter :
Tabγačγaru : Qunï Seŋünig : ïdmïs : Qïtañγaru : Toŋra Semig : ïdmïs : sab
anča ïdmïs : azqïŋa : Türük
The messenger’s words were as follows: “A kagan came to the throne of Nine Oguzes
people. He sent Kuny Sengun to Tabgach (China). He sent Tonra Semik to Kitan. He sent
them with the following words: Turks are few now,
10
Yorï yor ermis : qaγanï : alïp ermis : ayγučïsï : bilge ermis : ol eki
kisi : bar erser : esini : Tabγačïγ : ölürteči : etermen : öŋre Qïtañïγ :
ölürteči : etermen : bizi Oγuzïγ :
They used to go to wars! Their kagan was great and as an advisor he was wise. If these two
are alive they would kill their neighbours Tabgaches (Chins). They would kill Kitan in the
east. And us, Oguzes
11 ulrtCiK tirmn TBGC brdnjntg kiTF uydnjntg bnjiRDOJN tgjin turKsirBUDN jrinta
idiJURmzUN USRidi J xkiSLm
ölürtečig : etermen : Tabγač : beriden yenteg : Qïtaŋ : önden yenteg :
ben yïrdantayïn : tegijin : Türük : esir budun : jerinte : ïdï yormazun :
učrïdï : ay : oq qisalïm :
Would kill. (Let) Tabgach (China attacked from the south, Kitan – from the east, I (i.e.Oguz)
 attacked from the north. Do not let their master give orders (litr. go) in the land of noble
Turks! Let us fall upon them ( from three sides)!”
12
termez : ol sabïγ : esidip : tün : udusïqïm : kelmedi : küntüz :
olursïqïm kelmedi : anta ötrü : qaγanïma ötüntüm : anča ötüntüm : Tabγač
: Oγuz : Qïtañ : bu üčegü : qabsar :
When I heard these words I could not sleep nights and could not be calm by days. I prayed
for the sake of our kagan after that. I judged as follows: “Tabgaches (China), Oguzes, Kitans
decided to join together and attack us.
13
qaltïčï biz : özü iči : tïsïn : tutmus tegbiz : yuyqa erikli : topluγlï
učuz ermis : jenčige eriklig : üzügli : učuz : yuyqa : qalïn bolsar :
topluγ uluq : alp ermis : jenčige
Each of us protects only his own horde. To crush the ”thin” – is an easy (matter)! But to
become “thick” from “thin” – is not difficult! If to gather “thins”
14
yoγun : bolsar : üzüglük alp ermis : öŋre : Qïtaŋda : berije : Tabγačda :
qurïya : Qurudïnta : yarïya : Oγuzda : eki üč biŋ : sümüz : keltečimiz :
barïmïna : anča ötüntüm :
into “thicks”, then it is necessary to have great force to crush! We have two – three
thousand spear-bearers at Kitans in the east, at Tabgach in the south, in Kurudun in the
west, at Oguzes in the north. We need to recall all of them!”
15
Qaγan( m : ben) : özüm : Bilge Tuňuquq : ötüntük : ötünčümüz : esidü
berti : küŋülüŋče : uduz etdi : Köküŋ ügüs : yoγru : Őtükün : yïsγaru :
uduz etim : Inigek kölke : Toγulada : Oγuz kelti :
I, Bilge Tonyukuk, asked my kagan to listen to (my this advice). He listened to and did, what
he thought to be right. I was ordered (to pitch a camp) in Otuken near the lake Kekung.
Oguz advanced along the Togla river in the lake Ingek.
16
süsü altï biŋ ermis : biz : : eki biŋ : ertimez : süŋüšdümüz : Teŋri
yarïlqadï : yaňïdamïz : ügüzke : tüsdi : yaňïduq yolta : yeme : ölti kök
: anta ötrü : Oγuz qapïn : kelti :
They had six thousand spear bearers. We were two thousand. We fought. Tengri was
gracious to us. We scattered and threw them into the lake. On the way of pursuit some more
were died. After this Oguzes (gave up) joined us in great numbers.
17
kelürtim ük Türük : budunïγ : Őtükün jerke : ben özüm : Bilge Tuňuquq :
Őtükün jerig : qonmus tejin : esidip : beryeki : budun quryaqï : yarïyaqï
: öŋreki : budun kelti :
Having heard that I brought the Turkic people to Otuken land and that I , wise Tonyukuk,
had settled in the land of Otuken, the people from south, west, north and east joined us.
18
Eki biŋ erimez : ...(b)oltï : Türük : budun : olurγalï : Türük : qaγan :
olurγalï : Santun balïqa : Taluy ögüzke : tegmis jоq ermis : qaγanïma :
ötünüp : süledim
We became two thousand. Since the Turkic people became strong and Turkic kagan mounted
the throne, they did not go with war to Shantung towns and the seas. I asked my kagan and
moved the army.
19
Santun balïqa : Taluy ögüzke : tegürtim : Üč оtuz balïq : еsdi : Usïn
buntatu : jurtïda : yatu qalur erti : Tabγač qaγan : yaγïmïz erti : On Oq
qaγanï : yaγïmïz erti :
I reached my army to Shantung towns and the seas. Twenty three town were destroyed. All
of them had left on Usyn -bundatu land.(?). Tabgaches’ kagan (China) was our enemy. The
kagan of “Ten Arrows” was our enemy.
20
artuq...küč ...boltï : ol üč qaγan : üglesip : Altun Yïs öze : qabïslam
temis : anča üglesmis : öŋre Türük : qaγanγaru : süllemis temis : eŋru
sülemiser : qačïn erser : ol bizini :
But our first enemy was the strong Kyrgyz kagan. These three kagans joined and agreed to
gather their forces on the Altun mountain. Having formedan alliance they told: “we went on
campaign against the Turkic kagan to the east! If not we then he would (kill) us!
21
qaγanï alïp ermis : ayγučïsï bilge ermis : qačanïŋ erser : ölürteči ökük
: üčegün : qabïsïp : süllemis : anï joq qïsalïm : temis : Türges : qaγan
anča temis : bеniŋ budunïm anta erür : temis :
Their (i.e. Turks) kagan is great and advisor – is wise. If we look back, do not join in
alliance and do not struggle (with them), then they will go away (without punishment)” then
the Turgesh kagan told: “There is my people there!
22
Türük : budunï jeme : Bulγaq ol temis : Oγuzï jeme : tarqančul temis : ol
sabïn : esidip : tün jeme : udusqïm kelmez erti : olursaqmaz : kelmez
erti : anta saqïntïma :
And Turkic people is in confussion (now)! And Oguzes” - said he “are also in discord!” having
heard these words I could not sleep at nights, and lost quietness by days. Then I decided…
23 a su... ...tdm qugmn JULi birrms TUmstjnsdp BUJULN JURiSR JRmCitdm jrCitldm ...
Culgizri BULTm
...a : sü... tedim : Kögmen : yolï : bir ermis : tumïs tejin esidip : bu
yolun : yorïsar : yarïmčï tedim : ...jerči tiledim : čölügiz eri : boltïm
:
We shall fight … said I. When I heard that the road to Kegmen is (only) one and it had been
blocked (by snow), I told: that won’t do to go this way. I look for a person who knew that
place…
24
..özüm; az jer ...nï b..ermis : bir turuqï : ermis : anïn barmïs : ïŋra
yatïp : bir atlïγ barmïs tejin : ol yolun : yorïsar : unč tedim :
saqïntïm : qaγanïma :
…(There) was a stopping place, he brought us there. “if to start then there would be one
horse’s speed before lodging for the night”, - he said. I said: “if to go that way then it might
be”. I thought over, and asked my kagan
25
Őtüntüm : sü yorïtïdïm : atlat : tedim : Aq terimlig keče : uγra qalïtdïm
: at öze : ben tere qarïγ : sökdüm : yoqaru : at jete yadaγun : ïγačï
tutun : aγturtïm : öŋre eki er :
“Bring cavalry troop!” Havinggone across the river Ak -Termel I left rear camp. I made a road
up through the snow, walking the horses, leaning on wooden staffs. While two soldies raised
in the east
26
yoγurča : ïdïp Ïbar basï : asdïmïz : yoblu : intemiz : on tünke : yantaqï
: Toγ berü : bardïmïz : jerči : jer yaŋïlïp : boγazlantï : buŋ ïdïp :
qaγan : jelükü ertmis :
we crossed Ybar Bashi. We went down on the slope. We reached Togbery on the slope in ten
nights. A guide was slaughtered, having lost the way. The kagan caught us.
27
Anï sub…b...m… : ol sub qudï : bardïmïz : sanïγlï : tüsürtemiz : taγ :
ïqa : bayur ertemiz : kün jeme : tün jeme : jelü : bardïmïz : Qïrqïzïγ :
oqa basdïmïz :
…We swam across the river, stopped several times. On the slope of the mountain we went at
a trot day and night. Brought down arrows on Kyrgyz people.
28
...u süŋügün : ačdïmïz : qanï : süsü : terilmis : süŋüšdimiz : sančïdïmïz
: qanïn : ölürtümiz : qaγanqa : Qïrqïz : budunï : išikdi :
…fought with their army. Their khan gathered the army. We fought them, killed their kagan.
Kyrgyz people surrendered our kagan.
29
Qïrqïzda : yantïmïz : Türges qaγanta : körüg kelti : sabï enteg : öŋden
qaγanγaru : sü jorïlam temis : yorumasar : bizіni : : qaγanï : alïp rmis
: ayγučïsï : bilge ermis : qač neŋ erser :
We came back from Kyrgyz people. A messenger came from Turgesh kagan. The word of his
was as follows: “we go on campaign to kagan from the east. If we do not attack, then their
(i.e. Turkic) kagan is great, his advisor – is wise, this or that way, he might kill us ”
30
Bizni : ölürtečik ök : temis : Türges : qaγanï : atsïqmïs tedi : On oq
budunï : qalïsïz atsïqmïs : ter : Tabγač süsü : bar ermis : ol sabïγ :
esidip : qaγanïm : ben beg erü : tüsüjin tedi :
he might kill us ”. “So the Turkic kagan started out” – he said. “All “Ten Arrows” people
started out” – he said. – “(among them) there is also Tabgaches’ (China) army”. Having
heard these words my kagan said: “I will be a kagan
31
qatun : yoq bolmïs erti : anï yoγïlatïjïn tedi : sü barïŋ : tedi : Altun
yïsda : oluruŋ tedi : sü basï : Inel qaγan : Tardus sad : barzun : tedi :
Bilge Tuňuq-uqa : baŋa : aydï :
(My) wife died, I want to organize funeral ceremony for her”. “sent the spear bearers!” –
(the kagan) said. – “Let them pitch a camp in Altun mob!” Tunyukuk told me the Bilge
(wise):
32
Bu süg elti : tedi : qïyïnïγ : küŋülüŋči ay : ben seŋe ne ayayïn : tedi :
kelir erser : körü : kеlür : kelmez erser : et ïlïγ sabïγ alï olur : tedi
: Altun yïsda : olurtïmïz :
“Lead the army! Tell me what are the difficulties? What else can I suggest? If (somebody)
comes (i.e. joins us), then the number of (brave men) will increase, if (nobody) comes, then
gather different news (litr. words, “tongues”)”. We were in Altun mob.
33
Üč körüg kisi : kelti : sabï : bir : qaγanï sü atsïqdï : On oq süsü :
qalïsïz : atsïqdï : ter : Yarïs yazïda : tirillemis temis : ol sabïγ
esidip : qaγanγaru : ol sabïγ ïtïm : Qantuyun : sabïγ : yana es b...
Three messengers came, their words were similar: “One kagan with his army went on
 campaign. The army of “Ten Arrows” people went on campaign too. They told that they
would gather in the step of Yarysh”. Having heard these words I told them the kagan. What
to do?! With the reply (from khan)
34
kelti : oluruŋ tejin : ejelme : qaraγu : edgüti : uruγïl : basïtma :
temis : Bögü qaγan : baŋaru : anča ayïdmïs : Apa Tarqanγaru : ičre sab :
ïdmïs : Bilge Tuтuq-uq : añïγ ol : öz ol : aŋlar...
a messenger came: “Sit! – it was said. – “Do not hurry to go, keep the guard as good as
possible! Do not allow to crush yourself!” – he said. Begyu kagan ordered me to tell this. I
sent a message to Apa -tarkhan (Commander -in-chief): “Wise Tonyukuk – is cunning, he
himself …
35
Sü yorïlïm tediči : ona maŋa : ol sabïγ esidip : sü jorïtïdïm : Altun
yïsïγ : yolsïzïn asdïm : Ertis ügüzig : kečigsizin : kečdimiz : tün
qatïdïmïz : Bolčuqa : taŋ öntürü : tegdimiz :
offered to me to send the spear bearers. Having heard these words, I sent the spear
bearers. I crossed the Altyn mob through absence of roads. We crossed without the ford the
Irtysh river. We reached Bolchu early in the morning without stops for night.
36
Atïlïγ kelürti : sabï antaγ : Yarïs yazïda : on tümen : sü tirilti : ter
: ol sabïγ esidip : begler : uqupun :
They brought a tongue, his word was: “Ten Tyumen army gathered in the Yarysh step (100
thousend)”. Having heard these words the beks consulted and
37
Yanïlïm : arïγ ubatï jeg : tedi : bеn anča termen : ben : Bilge Tuñuq-uq
: Altun yïsïγ : asa keltimiz : Ertis ügüzig :
Said: “We retreat! We must keep our honour”. And I said the following: -“I am- Tonyukuk
the wise! We crossed Altyn mod on the absence of roads. Went across the Irtysh river
38
keče keltimiz : kelmesi : alp tedi : tuymadï : Teŋri Umay : Ïduq jer sub
: basa berti erinč : neke : tezerbiz :
Without the ford. We came as the greats! We were not tired. When Tengri Umai, Sacred land
and water are gracious to us, why do we need to retreat?!
39
üküs tejin : neke qorqurbïz : az tejin : ne basïn alïm : teglem tidim :
tegdimiz : yulïdïmïz : ekinti kün :
Why should we be afraid of their number? Let us attack them as if they are few!” I told:
“Advance!” and we advanced and overthrew them. The second day
40
örtče : qïzï kelti : süŋüsdimiz : bizinte : eki učï : sïŋarča : artuq
erti : Teŋri yarïlqaduq üčün : üküs tejin : biz :
They came down with great force (litr. like fire). We fought. They were twice more than we.
Due to Tengri
41
qoruqmadïmïz : süŋüsdimiz : Tardus : sad ara : udï : yaŋdïmïz : qaγanïn :
tutdumïz : yabγusïn : sadïn :
We were not afraid of their number. We fought. We won the Tardush Shad. We captured
their kagan. And their yabgu and shad
42
anta ölürti : eligče er : tutdïmïz : uluq tün : budunïn sayu : ïtdïmïz :
ol sabïγ : esidip : On oq begleri : budunï : qop
Killed there. We took to prison about fifty persons. That night we sent (messengers) to
every nation. Having heard these words, beks and people of “Ten Arrows” all
43
kelti : jükünti : keligme : beglerin : budunïn : ïtïp yïγïp azča : budun
: tezmes erti :

On oq süsün : sületdim :
came and subdued. When I was settling down and gathering the coming beks and people a
few people ran away. I led to campaign the army of “Ten Arrows” people.
44
Biz jeme : süledimiz : anï ertimiz : Jenčü ügüzig : keče : Tinsi oγulï :
yataγïma : Biŋlig eki taγïγ : ertü...
We were still fighting and pursuing them. Having swimming cross the Pearl river, crossing
the Binlik mountain – where Tinsi’s son lived…
45
Temir Qapïγqa : tegi : ertimiz : anta yanturtïmïz : Inel qaγanqa : ...
Aqrïm : alï atïγqa : Tezik : Toqursïn :
we pursued (the enemy) till Temir -kapyg (Iron Gates). We made (them) return back. Inel
kagan… tadzhiks and tokhars …
46
anta berüki : As-oq baslïγaru : Soγdaq : budun : qop kelti : jükünti :
..tegti : Türük budun : Temir Qapïγqa : Tensi oγulï :
The whole sogdian people leading by Asuk came and obeyed… those days the Turkic people
reached the Iron Gates.
47
Tensi oγulï : yataγma taγqa : tegmisïdï yoq ermis : ol jerte : ben Bilge
Tuтuq-uq : tegürtük üčün
There was no master in the mountains where Tinsi’s son lived. When I, Wise Tonyukuk,
reached that place,
48
sarïγ altun : örüŋ kümüs : qïz qoduz : egri tebi : aγï buŋsuz : kelürti :
Elteris qaγan : Bilge ...
he presented me yellow gold, white silver, girls and women, treasury, silk on camels in huge
number. For the greatness of Elterish kagan, Bilge kagan
49
alpin üčün : Tabγačqa : jeti jegirmi : süŋüsdi : Qïtañqa : jeti süŋüsdi :
Oγuzqa : bes süŋüsdi : anta Ayγučï...
we fought thirteen times with Tabgaches (China). Seven times fought with Kitans. Five times
with Oguzes. An advisor then…
50
jeme : ben : ök ertüm : ayγïčïsï : jeme : ben ertim : Elteris qaγanqa :
... : Türük Begi qaγanqa : Türük Bilge qa...
Only I was powerful. I was Elterish kagan’s advisor. Turkic Byegu kagan, Turkic Bilga
kagan…
51
Qapaγan qaγan : jeti otuz : yasqa : ...anta...erti : ... : tün udumatï
 When Kapagan kagan was thirty three … wasn’t sleeping at nights,
52
küntüz : olurmatï : qïzïl qanïmï : tökti : qara terim : yügürtü : isig
küčüg berti ök : uzun jelmeg : jeme : ïtmïq :
Did not have calmnee by days. Shed red blood and perspired. I served and gave all my
force. Dericted long (far) military forays.
53 RQUJQRGUG ULGRDmBSNGma JGiQa KlurirrtmQGNmn sultdmz tyriJRLQzU
Arqur qaruγuγ : uluγ artïdïm : basïnïγma : yaγïγ : kelürir ertim :
qaγanmen : sületidimiz : Teŋri yarïlqazu
I raised Arkur guard. Led army to capture the enemy. We fought with their kagan. Due the
Tengri
54
Bu Türük budunqa : yarïlïγ yaγïγ : jeltürmedim : tüginlig atïγ :
jügürtemedim : Elteris qaγan : qazγanmasar :
I did not allow the supremecy of the strong enemy over the Turkic people. I did not allow
enemy’ horses to tramble down (our land). If Elterish kagan did not rule the country,
55
Udu ben özüm : qazγanmasar : el jeme : budun jeme : yoq erteči erti :
qazγantuq in üčün : uduγ elim : qazγantuqum üčün :
And if I myself did not rule (the country), there would not be neither country nor people!
For kagan was in power, I myself was in power too, the country
56
El jeme : el boltï : budun jeme : budun boltï : özüm qarï boltïm : uluγ
boltïm : eneŋ jerdeki : qaγanlïγ : budunqa :
became the country, people became people. I got older. I reached old age. If in some place
people, having a kagan
57 ...
bön tegi : barsar : ne buŋï : bar erteči ermis :
Bentegi (?), it would be sad!
58 ...
Türük Bilge qaγan : eliŋe : bititdim : ben Bilge Tuñuq-uq
In Bilge kagan’s country I ordered to write (this). I am – The Wise Tonyukuk.
59
Elteris qaγan : qazγanmasar : yas eri erser : ben özüm : Bilge Tuñuq-uq :
qaγanmasar : ben yoq ertim erser :
If Elterish kagan did not rule (the country) and if he was young, I, The Wise Tonyukuk
would not rule (the country), or if I was not here,
60
Qapaγan qaγan : Türük Еsir budun : jerinte : bod jeme : budun jeme : kisi
jeme : ïdï yoq erteči erti :
then on the land of Kapagan kagan, on the land of gracious Turks, neither a family nor a
single person would not have a ruler.
61
Elteris qaγan : Bilge Tuñuq-uq : qazγantuq üčün : Qapaγan qaγan : Türük
Еsir budun : yorïdïqï bu
Due to ruling of Elterish kagan (and) Bilge Tonyukuk, the noble Turks, the people of
Kapagan kagan,
62
Türük Bilge : qaγan : Türük Еsir budunïγ : Oγuz budunïγ : egіdü : olurur
:
Turkic Bilge kagan, the people of noble Turks, Oguzes lived and raised!
 KULI CHOR INSCRIPTIONS
Inscriptions in the west side of Kuli Chor stele
1
...üčün (apa) tarqan Čїqan Toňuquq : atïγ : bermiš :
…and then he was given the name – (Apa) tarkhan Chykan Tonyukuk.
2
...quda : jegtürmiš : Išbara Čїqan : Küli Čur : bolmïš : ...
…then they won (led by) Yshbar Chykan Kuli – Chur…
3
.../qaγan : / elinte : aqarïp : edgü beŋi : körti : Uluγ Küli Čur :
sekiz on : yašap : yoq bol /tï /
…in Elteris – kagan’s state getting old and finding an eternal glory – The Great Kuli – Chur
at the age of eighty passed away.
4
özlüki : boz at erti : kedim b... alïpï erdemi : anta ükü еgіdi : Türük
budunqa : u...
… there was rapid Whitehorse…was great and powerful, became famous for Turkic people…
5
saγïrač uluγïn yaγïtuqda /Küli / Čur/.. sančïp : ölürüp : oγulïn :
kisisin bulun...
when were fighting… Kuli-Chur … he stabbed with spear to death. Sons, people…
6
... elig tutdï /ker.?./ ...erti : Küli Čur : Türük budun ...
… he ruled the country… Kuli – Chur. Turkic people….
7
 ...γanïŋa el/iŋe/ ......bilgesin üčün : alpïn : erdemin /üčün qazγantï
qa/... el...č..
…to kagan, to the country… due to his intelligence and great power, he ruled the country…
8
...Ïšbara Bilge Küli Čur : kiši ....in
…Ysbara Bilge Kuli – Chur:…
9
...erti süŋüš bolsar čerïγ : iter erti : ab ablasar erimeli teg erti
… He headed the battle in the war. When it was the hunting he led the hunting.
10
...sančdï : Кečinde : tümen süke süŋüšdi : Küli Čur oplayu tegip süsin :
…At Kechin he met multitumen (decimal) army in the battle.
11
...ïtï ..... /Beš/balïqda : törüt sü/ŋüš/ süŋüšdükde : Küli Čur oplayu
tegip süsin : bulγayu :
…At Beshbalyk in four battles he attacked four times…
12
...Tab/γačqa : bunča süŋüšüp : alpïn : erdemin üčün üküs : bunča tutdï :
…In battles with Tabgaches (China) he many times got fame as a great warrior. So much he
had conquered!
Horizontal inscriptions of Kuli Chur stele
1
Küli Čur : Teŋiri : tutdï :
Kuli Chur bent Tengri.
Inscriptions at the East side of Kuli Chur stele
1
...oγulïn : ...dunïn : udïz...
…sons, people…
2
... Küli Čur : tarduš : budunïγ : ïtï ayu olurtï :
… Kuli Chur ruled Tardush people.
3
.../qadam/ : er yarïγ : üzlekin : binip /oplayu tegip/ : üč erig :
sančdï : ...süŋüšdükde : Küli Čur üzleki jegren at binip :
… with the armour of a warrior on a quick horse he bit with the spear three soldiers
(enemy)… at the battle he rode a quick bay horse…
4
...anta : kerü : barïp : Yenčü : ügüzüg : keče : Temir Qapïγqa : Tezikke
: tegi sü/ŋüšdükde/ : qazγantï : Toquz Oγuzqa : jeti : süŋüš :
süŋüšdükde :
…then swimming across the Pearl river, reaching Iron Gates he fought with Tezhik and
subdued them. He had seven battles with Nine Oguzes.
5
...a : tükedi : Qïtaň : Tatabï : .../tegi/ : süŋüšdükde : bes süŋüš :
süŋüšdükde : Küli Čur anča : bilgesi : čabïsï : erti : alïpï bökesi :
erti :
… in five battles with Kitans and Tatabs Kuli – Chur was the wisest speaker, the greatest
 commander.
6
.../Kü/li Čur : jeti yašïŋa : jegir : ölürti : /toquz yašïŋa : / azïqlγï
: toŋuz : : ölürti : Qarluq : yaγïtuqda : Tezde : süŋüšdükde :
… when Kuli – Chor was seven years old he killed a fox, at nine he killed a wide boar. When
Karluks were conquered, in battles at the Tez (river)…
7
... : anta : kisre Qarluqqa : yem (d?) süŋü/šdükd/e : Edil aqïn binip :
oplayu tegip : sanča ïdïp : toplayu : inti : yana : aγïtïp :
…when they fought with Karluks he rode a white horse Edul again, rushed to attack and
won the enemy…
8
...sü sürti : Qarluqïγ : kečіgintükin : sančdï : Qarluq : tapa : ...
γalï : barïp : Azïn erig : yana : binip : süsi : kegürti : Qarluq :
atlantï : anča : sün :
… he fought with a spear. Bit the Karluks. A new army advanced in the direction of Karluks.
Karluks put forwards their strongest army…
9
.../Qa/rluq : jegiren : ermeli : arqašïn : sïyu urtï : Qarluq : anïn :
turup......Elteber : özi : kelti : Еsir : Erkin : oγulï : Jegen Čur :
kelti :
…with a beat Karluk broke the back of a bay horse. Karluks…Elteris came. The son Esir
Erkin Yegen Chor came.
10
.../erin/ : sančγalï : süledi : süŋüšip : süsin : sančdï : elin altï :
oγulïn : kisisin : bulandï : ..γ...a : Išbara : Bilge Küli Čur :
…fought and bit their army. Conquered their country. Took children and wives to prison.
Esbar Bilge Kuli - Chur
11
...üke : tusu bol..q : öde : ülügi : anča ermiš erinč : yaγïqa : yalŋus
: oplayu tegip : oplayu kirip : üze qïšqa kergeg boltï :
…felt obliged for aid and rushed to attack alone and found his death.
12
...qaγan : inisi : El Čur : tegin : kelip : ulayu : törüt tegin : kelip
: Išbara : Bilge Küli Čurïγ : yoγlatï : bedizin : bedizti : olurtï :
…kagan, younger brother El Chur came. Four noble people held Esbara Bilge Kuli Chur’s
funeral ceremony. Funeral complex was built.
13
...sin : bu...m : qazγantï : artuq : yïlqïγ igiti :
…ruled…
Inscriptions at the South side of Kuli Chur stele
1
...k tegin : kelti : /Tarduš/ : .. Čurïŋ : oγulï : Jegen Čur : kelti :
…tegin came. (Tardush) son… Chora Yegen Chur came…
2
...in : üčün : bunča : qoburïp : yoγladï : Ebiztir bitidim :
…so many people came to the ceremony. I, Ebizter, wrote.
3
 ...qa : bilmez : biligin : biltükmen : ödkümen : bunča : bitig : bitidim
:
… to know unknown things in this mortal world, I wrote all this.
4
...tutdï...
… bent…
 MOYN-ČOR
1
/ Teŋride bolmuš : El Et/miš : Bilge qaγan : b...// ......Töles ...
Tengri–born Eletmish Bilge kagan… Telis …
2
Őtüken Elі : Őgüres Eli : : ekin ara : olurmuš : subï : Seleŋe ermiš :
anta : el.... //......ermiš : barmïš ......
Otuken people and Oguresh people were neighbours, the river Selenga flew between them…
then … was …
3
su...anta : qalmïšï : budun : On Uyγur200 Toquz Oγuz : üze : yüz // yïl
olurup : ......Orqun ögüz : ......
…then the people of Ten Uigurs and Nine Oguzes left. Hundred years they were conquered…
the Orkhon river…
4
Türük ...čaq 207 : elig (оn?208 ) yïl : olurmus : Türük eliŋe : altï : otuz
yašïma : enč//....berti : anta : boyla...
Turks …chak…fifty years (?) lived in Turkic state. When I was twenty six …gave. The judge
then…
5
yanа : ...i : Toquz Oγuz budunïmïn : etirü qubartï : altïm аqaŋïm : Kül
/bilgе qaγan/......
Attacked my people Nine Oguzes. My father Kul – Bilge kagan …
6
 sü yorïdï : özümin öŋre : bïŋa : bašï : ïtï : Kejrede : öŋden :
yantïčïmda : //...qoŋluγ : toqluγ.........
sent the army. I was appointed Thousender. In the Keire (river) when enemies attacked from
the south … my father …
7
ičgerip : yanï yorïdïm Kejre : bašïnta üč Вirküde : qan süsin : //
birleqatïltïm : anta : .....
Having bit, I went on a new campaign. At Keire in Three Birkud took part, fought with kh an
army.
8
еrtim Qara : Qum : ašmïš : Kögerde : Kömür taγda : Yar ögüzde : Üč
Tuγ/luγ/ : // Türük budun : ...
was. Turkic people with three flags in the Komirtau mountains to the river Yiar in Keger
behind Kara – Kum …
9
Ozmïš Tegin : qan bolmïš : qoň yïlqa : yorïdïm : екіnti : süŋüs…/ altïnč/
// ay altï yaŋïqa : toqïtdïm.........
in the year of Aries, Ozmysh Tegin became khan, I went on the second campaign… to the
sixth month…
10
tutdïm : qatunïn : anta : altïm : Türük budun : anta : ïnγaru : yoq :
boltï аntа kisre : // taqïγqu : yïlqa : ...budun : ...tuyup
I married to my wife –katun. This way the Turkic people vanished. Then in the year of Hen…
people…
11
Üč Qarluq : yablaq ašqïnïp teze bardï quruya On Oqa : kirti : laγ // zin
yïlqa : ...Tay Bilge : Tutuqïγ : ......
Three Karluks lost (betrayed us), went to the east and joined the Ten Arrows. In the year of
Boar… Tai Bilge Tutuk…
12
yabγu : atadï anta : kisre : aqaŋïm : qaγan : učdu : qara budun : qïlïnč
// küsgü yïlqa.........dïm :
was announced Yabgu. My native kagan had died then. Common people in the year of
Mouse…
13
tutdïm : ...birle...anta : Bökеgük/de/ : jetdim : kеče yarïq ba//tar :
erikle : süŋüsdim : anta : šančdïm : kün : /artatïlmïs? : / tün/
öčürilmis? : /Bökеgükde : Segiz Oγuz : Toquz Tatar : qalmaduq : eki
yaŋïqa : kün toγuru : süŋüsdim : qulum küŋüm : budunïγ : Teŋri :
took… together… reached the mountain Byukyagyuk. Fought with… then I bit…day… night…
neither Eight Oguzes nor Nine Tatars had left in Byukyagyuk (everybody went to fight). I
fought two days. Tengri gave my servants, housemaids and my people
14
jer : аyu : berti : anta : šančdïm : yazïqlïγ аtlïlïγ ...Teŋri : tuta
berti : // qara : igіl : budunïγ : yoq qïlmadïm : еbin barqïn yïlqïšïn :
yulmadïm : qïyïn : aydïm : turγuru qutum : kentü budunïm : tedim : udu :
kelin tedim : qudup : bardïm : kelmedi : yiče :
land and power. I thrusted spears into the guilty… bent Tengri. I did not kill common
obedient people. I did not take away their property, horses. I confessed them as my people
 and let them join. But they did not obey; I became angry and went to them. But they did not
come again.
15
ertim : Burγudа : jetdim : törtinč ay : toquz yaŋïqa : süŋüsdim : šančdïm
: yïlqïšïn : barïmïn : qïzïn : quduzïn : kelirtim : besinč ay : udu :
kelti : Segiz Oγuz : Toquz Tatar : qalmadï : kelti : Seleŋe : kedеn :
yïlun : qul : berdеn : sïŋar : Šïp bašïŋa : tegi : čerig itdim :
To the fourth month I caught them in Burgu. Fought and took away their horses, daughters,
wives. The fifth month they attacked. Eight Oguzes and Nine Tatars, all attacked (us). I met
them, having pitched a camp in Yiylun behind Selenga, near Shyp.
16
Кerügün : Šaqïšïn : Šïpbašï : köre : kelti : altï učï : Seleŋeke tegi :
čerig itdi : besinč ay toquz : otuzqa : süŋüs : dim : anta šančdïm :
Seleŋeke : šïqa : šančdïm : yazï qïltïm : üküsi : Seleŋe : qodï : bardï :
biz : Seleŋe : keče : udu : yorïdïm : süŋüsde : tutup : on er idim :
Kergudi Shakyshty climbed the Shyp hill to reconnoiter th e situation. They pitched six camps
near the Selenga (river). On the twenty nine of the fifth month there was a struggle. I made
them to retreat to the Selenga then. I punished them. They retreated through the Selenga
river. I pursued them on the Selenga ( river). Sent ten warriors (after them).
17
Tay Вilge : Tutuq : yablaqïn : üčün : bir eki atlïq : üčün : qara :
budunïm : öltiŋ : jetdeŋ : yaŋa ičik ölmeči : jetmeči : sen tedim : jiče
: isig : küčüg : bergil : tedim : eki ay kütdim : kelmedi : sekizinč ay :
bir yaŋïqa : sü yorïyïn : tedim : tuγ : tašqïr : erikli :
Because of mean Tai -Bilge tutuq, because of some nothingness, oh, my common people. You
died! I asked you kindly to serve me. I was waiting for two months. (You) did not come. I
decided to go on campaign on the first of the eighth mon th. A flag carrier
18
Jelme : eri : kelti : yaγï kelir : tedi : yaγïn bašï : yorïyu : kelti :
sekizinč ay : eki yaŋïqa : Čïγïltar : Költe : qašuy : kezü : süŋüsdim :
anta : šančdïm : anta : udu : yorïdïm : ol ay : bes jegirmike : Kejre :
bašï Üč Birküde : Tatar : birle : aqtï : toqïdïm : šïŋarï : budun :
Zhelme came and informed about the enemy’s attack. The enemy attacked and I met them at
the lake Chigyltyr on the second of the eighth month. I met them with spear, fell upon them.
On the fifteenth of the same month at Thre e Birku, where the mouth of the Keire river, they
surrendered together with Tatars. One half of the nation
19
ičikdi : šïŋаrï : budun...a : kirti : anta : yana : tüsdim : Ötüken Yïšïn
: qïšladïm : yaγïda : bоšuna : bоšuna аldïm : eki oγulïma : yabγu : šad
at bertim Tarduš : Töles : budunqa : bertim : ančïp : barš : yïlqa : Čеk
tapa : yorïdïm : ekinti ay tört : jegirmike : Kemde :
surrendered …the other half… I went down again then and spent w inter in Otuken mob. I got
free from enemy. Gave two sons the title Yabgu and Shad. I gave them the Tardush and
Telis people. In the year of Leopard made a campaign to Chek. On the second month to
Kem.
20
toqïdïšïm : оl ay...nta : Tez bašïnta : Qašar qurïdïn : örügen anta :
itetdim : čït anta : toqïtïdïm : yay anta : yayladïm : yaqa : anta :
yaqaladïm bilgümen : bitigmen anta : yarattïdïm : ančïp : ol yïl : küzün
ilgerü : yorïdïm : Tatarïγ : yatïdïm : tabïšγan : yïl :
 fought. That month… I ordered to establish horde in the west of Kashar, at that time
ordered to built chyt (stone errections). In summer fenced in stone walls. I ordered to carve
my thoughts on the stone. That autumn went on campaign furth er to the east. Bit the
Tatars. In the year of Hear
21
besinči ay qa : tegi......qa : ...// ŋiz bašï : anta : ïdïq jer : kedinte
: Aybaš Tuquš : belterinti : anta yayladïm : örügіn : anta : yarattïdïm :
čït anta : toqïtdïm : biŋ yïllïq : tümen künlik : bitigimin : bilgümin :
anta : yašï tašqa :
on the fifth month… on Uygur land, in the west at Aibas Toqysh there were my pastures. I
ordered to put my horde there. I ordered to build stone errections and carve my thoughts on
stones for thousand years, ten thousand days.
22
yarattïdïm : tol... : // yarïmatïn : yaγïd kelmis : örün begig : qara
qulluqïγ : anï olurmus : Qïrqïz tapa : er idmis : siz tašïqïŋ : Čikig
tašγarïŋ : temis : men : tašqïyïyn temis : Kür budqa ïda :
I sent soldiers to Kyrgyz people, where the white be k ruled with black thoughts. Sent a
message to Cheks…in Kyer Bud…
23
qabšïlïm temis : Őtüken......temis : ...z : ..aŋï ...sü yorïdïm :
....tutuq : bašïn : Čik tapa : ebiŋe : ïtdïm : Isi jer tapa : Az er ïtdïm
: kör tedim : Qïrqïz qanï : Kögmen : irinte :
Otuken… I sent army… I sent Tutuq to Cheks. Az was sent to Yssy land. I ordered to
reconnoiter. Kyrgyz khan on the land of Kogmen
24
...ermis : jelmisin Іs : jeriŋerü : ïtïdïm : jelmisin menіŋ еr anta
bašmïš : atïl tutmïš : qanïŋa : ...
…was. I sent them to Es land. My warrior came to their khan then, who believed….
25
...er kelti : Qarluq : Еsiŋe : kelmedük tedi : erin : Qarluq : ...Ertis
ögüzig : Arqar bašï tušï : anta : Er Qamïš Altïn yanta sallap : kečdim :
bir jegirminči ay : sekiz jegirmike... : yoluqdum Bolču ögüzde : : Üč
Qarluγïγ :
... soldiers came. Karluqs refused to come to Es. Karluqs …through the Irtysh. Then I
crossed Altyn by a raft, beginning from Arkar along Er Kamysh. In the eleventh month… I
met. On the Bolchu river three Karluqs
26
anta : toqïdïm : anta : yanï : tüsdim : Čіk budunïγ : bïŋam süre : kelti
: ...Tez bašï : čïtïmïn yayladïm : yaqa : anta : yaqаladïm : Čіk budunqa
: tutuq bertim : Іš barïš : Tarqad : anta : anča oldum : ...antа : er
kеlti : Qazluq költe :
bit. Cheks people went out. At Tez I odered to build chyt (stone errections), fenced it. I
gave Tutuq to Chek people. I was Ys Barys Tarkhan… then a warrior ca me… On the lake
Kazluq…
27
...ïγda : körtü : yaγï...eltip : uyu kelti : bes jegirmike...Tayγun :
külte : tiriltim : bidigüč er : anta : ït...elti : Qara : Yotluqun :
kečip : kelirti : utru yorudum : ......boltï : Qarluq : ...
…saw. Enemies …pursued. Fifteen … at the lake Taigun gathered the army. I sent for a
tongue then… they crossed Kara Yotluq and brought him. I pursued them… Karluq…
28
...er edmis : ...temis : ičre : biz bulγayïn : temis : tašdïntan :
...//...šayïn : temis : Bašmïl : yaγïdïp : ebim erü : bardï : anï
ičgermedim : tašdïnta : Üč Qarluq : Üč Ïduq ta......Ötükente : ben...
…sent a warrior… they said that they rose distur bance inside, and you… outside. (So) Basmyl
attacked my house. I did not allow him enter. Three Karluqs in Three Uyuk… in Otuken I …
29
...anta : ...altïnčï ay : bir otuzqa : süŋüsdüm anta : sančïdïm : Ičüj
kečip : //...g tuγuru sančïdïm anta : ötrü : Türüges : Qarluqïγ : tabarïn
alïp : ebin : yolïp barmïš ebime : tüsdim : ...
…then… in the sixth month of the twenty one I fought, havi ng gone across Ichui… I bit them
then. Took away Turgeshes’ and Karluqs’ goods and returned home.
30
yaγï bol......turup jerin tapa bardï yoγaru yoγardaqïn : sekizinči ay :
ben : udu yorïdïm ebimin Er : Esigünte : Yola : költe : qutum anta :
ertim : ......
became enemies…eight months pursued toward east. I was at the lake Esginte Yola…
31
Basmïlγaru : ...ay bir otuzqa Qarluqïγ : ...Yoγra Yarïšda : süsin : anta
sančïdïm ebi : on kün öŋre ürküp barmïš anta : yana : yorïp : tüsdim :
......
Towards Basmyl… month Karluqs…I bit with spear at Yogra Yarysh. Ten days they ran being
afraid. I went on campaign again…
32
Bir yegirminč ...čdïm...budunïŋa // kirtim : Irelünte : Talïqïmta :
yetdim šanuqï : Tabγačdaqï : Oγuz : Türük : tašïqmïš : anta : qatïlmïš :
anta begler : ....
Eleven… bit… surrendered. Reached Irelun Talkym? At that time China in alliance with Turks
Oguzes stroke, beks then…
33
meniŋ süm üč......// beš yüz kedimlig yadaγ bir eki šašïp kelti : küŋüm :
qulum : budunïγ : Teŋiri : Jer anta : ayu berti : anta sančdïm :
.........
My army three… my five hundred soldiers came in heavy boots. Tengri and the Earth
punished my housemaids, servants and people. I then bit…
34
anta budun ičikti : ......Qarluq tapa tezip kirti : anta yana : tüšip :
Orqun : balïqlïγ belteriginte : El örgüginin anta : örgüpen etdim :
......
Then my people surrendered (joined)… Karluqs… I stayed in Orkun town for summer then. I
established there my horde …
35
...bir jegirminč ay jegirmike : Qara : Bulaq öŋden : Suqaq yolï : anta :
ČigilTutuq : ......
…Eleven months from Kara Bulaq, on the way Sukak, Chigil Tutuq…
36
...tuγur aγuγ kečürü : ......sančdïm : Qarluq Basmïl : ......terilip :
...
…bit. Karluq Basmyl… gathered…
37
 kelti : ...Qarluq : ...sekizinč ay : üč yaŋïqa : yorïdïm : ......Qarluq
tirigi barïp : Türügeske : kirti : yana tüsip :
…Karluqs… on the third of the eighth month I went on campaign…. Karluqs entered
Turgesh…
38
onunč ay : yaŋïqa : ......temiši : üč : ......tüšdim anta yaqaγaru :
Basmïl : Qarluq : yoq boltï : qoñ yïlqa :
The ninth month…three… I went out to the bank. There were no Basmyl Karluqs. In the year
of Sheep
39
...yayladïm : ......tabγ ačqanï : ...tezipbermiš : ...oγulïn : qotïdïm :
...budun...toqïdïm anta olurup : ebiŋe : іtim : qut yaratïγ : tuγun :
…spent summer… Tabgaches’ (China) khan…detained…put his son… people…conquered. I
sent them home then. Their gracious flag
40
ebim ken : ......budunïγ qut : ...ebime ekinti ay altï yaŋïqa : tüsdim :
taqïγu yïlqa : ......berti : ...yoq qïlmïš : ančïp : kelti eki qïzïn :
Home… people….I returned home on the sixth of the second month in the year of Hen….
spent… Two my daughters then
41
tapïγ : berti : .........söziŋe yazmayïn tedi : yaŋïlmayïn : tedi : yiče
: boltï : ...Soγdaq : Tabγačqa Seleŋede : Baybalïq yapïtï bertim :
gave…I said: “I will not punish”. “I will not betray” he said. Everything finished well… I
ordered sogdians and Chinese to build Baibalyq city at the Selenga.
42
...tuγun : ...qabïšïp : kelti : ......bir otuzqa.........qa anta sančïdïm
: Yarïš Aγulïγ : ara yatuq : bašïnta ara :
… he came… with the flag…. Twenty nine…fought between Yarysh and Aguluk at the Yatuq
43
...tümen : ... sančïduq jerde : ......ekinti ay : altï jegirmike : Üč
Tuγluγ :
…ten thousand … the second month… three flags…
44
Türük...anta : qatun : yegeni : Őz Bilge : Büñi
Turk…katun’s nephew the Wise Oz -Bilge Byeni
45 ...
...biŋ yunt qalmïš tümen qoñ qalmïš :
…thousand horses are left, ten thousand sheep
46
...bamïš atï ...bilmez.......barča : tükep : Teze :
… all went out to Tez
47
...begnig ben ...bunča bitigig bit...
… I (ordered) to write these inscriptions…
48
...tüsdim : ...sü basï ben : ...bin yunt tümen : qoñï : ben ...sančïdïm :
… I am a commander… bit thousand horses and ten thousand sheep…
49
....dim kelürtim :
… I ordered to bring…

END