Overview
Bars Bek was the qaghan of the Yenisei Kyrgyz at the time of the Second Türk Khaganate. The Türks first bound him to them by marriage to a princess of their royal house, but he joined the Türgesh and the Tang in an alliance against Qapaghan Qaghan.
Rise to Power
He ruled the Kyrgyz from the 690s and was recognised by the Türks as a lesser qaghan.
Rule and Achievements
- Married a Türk princess, the daughter of Ilterish or sister of Bilge Qaghan according to different readings
- Joined the Türgesh and the Tang against the Türks
Legacy
In the winter of 710–711 Tonyukuk and Kül Tegin crossed the snow-covered Sayan mountains, fell on the Kyrgyz camp and killed Bars Bek; the Tonyukuk and Kül Tegin inscriptions describe the campaign, saying 'we killed their qaghan'. His son, Bilge Qaghan's nephew, later ruled the Kyrgyz.