Bilge Kul Qadir Khan


Bilge Kul Qadir Khan or Bilge Kul Qara Khan was the first known ruler of Karakhanids.

Tribal affinity

There are different theories on tribal identity of Bilge Kul khagan. According to Western historiography, he was a ruler of Isfijab, a descendant of Karluk yabghu. He was from Edgish tribe, a part of Chigils or a Yagma. According to Pritsak, he claimed title "Khaqan" after fall of Uyghur khaganate since he was from Ashina dynasty. However Wei Liangtao claims, he was in fact Pang Tegin, a ruler of remnants of Uyghur ruling dynasty in Khotan.Qian Baiquan doubted that.