Tonyukuk’s Memorial Complex, The
1 myself, wise Tonyukuk, lived in Tabgach (Chinese) country. (As the whole) Turkic people was under Tabgach (China) subjection.
2 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 …(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 “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 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 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 …fought with their army. Their khan gathered the army. We fought them, killed their kagan. Kyrgyz people surrendered our kagan.
29 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 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 (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 “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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 They came down with great force (litr. like fire). We fought. They were twice more than we. Due to Tengri
41 We were not afraid of their number. We fought. We won the Tardush Shad. We captured their kagan. And their yabgu and shad
42 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 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 We were still fighting and pursuing them. Having swimming cross the Pearl river, crossing the Binlik mountain – where Tinsi’s son lived…
45 we pursued (the enemy) till Temir-kapyg (Iron Gates). We made (them) return back. Inel kagan… tadzhiks and tokhars …
46 The whole sogdian people leading by Asuk came and obeyed… those days the Turkic people reached the Iron Gates.
47 There was no master in the mountains where Tinsi’s son lived. When I, Wise Tonyukuk, reached that place,
48 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 we fought thirteen times with Tabgaches (China). Seven times fought with Kitans. Five times with Oguzes. An advisor then…
50 Only I was powerful. I was Elterish kagan’s advisor. Turkic Byegu kagan, Turkic Bilga kagan…
51 When Kapagan kagan was thirty three … wasn’t sleeping at nights,
52 Did not have calmnee by days. Shed red blood and perspired. I served and gave all my force. Dericted long (far) military forays.
53 I raised Arkur guard. Led army to capture the enemy. We fought with their kagan. Due the Tengri
54 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 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 became the country, people became people. I got older. I reached old age. If in some place people, having a kagan
57 Bentegi (?), it would be sad!
58 In Bilge kagan’s country I ordered to write (this). I am – The Wise Tonyukuk.
59 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 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 Due to ruling of Elterish kagan (and) Bilge Tonyukuk, the noble Turks, the people of Kapagan kagan,
62 Turkic Bilge kagan, the people of noble Turks, Oguzes lived and raised! |
微信扫一扫
