The foundation of Tuguhun Kingdom

Ｍove toward plateau

　　The foundation of Tuguhun Kingdom was caused by a horse race. About 1700 years ago, Murong Tribe-a branch of ancient Xianbei peoples, lived in Liaoning Province. In that tribe, Tuguhun, was the eldest son of the tribe and his mother was a concubine. However, his sixteen-year old younger brother- Murongmo was the son of the head’s legal wife. Due to inferior title, the throne was succeeded by Murongmo in 284AD. Soon, a horse race between Murongmo and Tuguhun was held on the grassland, where two brothers argued with each other. As a result, Tuguhun led 1700 people migrating to west. It was the end of 4th century-the Period of the Jin Dynasty and Sixteen Countries in China.

　　At that time, Tuguhun and his people started from Liaoning, moved westward to Hetao Plain, where they feed animals for nearly 20 years. This place was originally lived by Xianbei Tribe. There was a civil turmoil in Xianbei when Tuguhun settled. After 10 years, Xianbei became much stronger and drove Tuguhun people away. In 312 AD, the 67-year old Tuguhun guided his people to move westward again. This time, they passed Yin Mount, Yulong Mount, Taoshui River, and finally settled in Hanbaiyuan, Gansu Province. In 317 AD, the 72- year old Tuguhun died after finishing the commission of migration. As the initiator of an ethnic group and kingdom, Tuguhun was respected forever by his people. In 329AD, his grandson-Yeyan established the title of dynasty ”Tuguhun” and set up a state of his own. Since then, “Tuguhun” is used to refer to Murong Tribe living on grassland on northwestern China.

　　Nowadays, the place where Tuguhun used to live is called Sanchuan Area, Minhe County, Qinghai Province and more than 200,000 Turk people live there. It’s believed that Turk people are descendants of Tuguhun, because they keep the tradition of doing sacrificing to ancestors on Jan 1st on lunar calendar.

Getting along with Qiang people

　　When Tuguhun people migrated to northwestern China, they brought horse-raising experience to Tibetan Plateau and shared with local Qiang people. Date back to Jin Dynasty, Qiang people sparsely scattered in Qinghai, Gansu, Xinjiang, and Sichuan Province without unified leader. At that time, they still lived in primitive way. By contrast, Tuguhun people had received relatively advanced Han culture, so they quickly stood on their feet in Qiang people’s territory. The eldest son of Tuguhun leader-Tuyan was valiant and brave, expanding ruling region by force. After more than ten years fighting, the region of Tuguhun Kingdom was thousands of miles in west-east direction. However, Tuyan’s extreme harshness stimulated Qiang people’s resistance. In 329AD, the head of Qiang- Jiangcong firstly killed Tuyan and then was murdered by Tuyan’s subordinated official. A radical conflict between these two ethnic groups broke out. Afterward, Tuguhun people gradually changed strategy to Qiang people by political cooperation and inter marriage.

Qinghaicong Horse

　　In the central part of Qinghai Lake, there is a Haixinshan Island, which is the birth place of the famous Qinghaicong horse. About 1500 years ago, Tuguhun people imported excellent stock from India to crossbreed with local horses and finally brought up a new species of horse-Qinghaicong Horse. It’s said that this kind of horse could run thousands of miles per day, even dance with the music rhythm. They were presented to Chinese emperor as the most valuable gift. In Dufu’s poem, the running speed of these horses was emphasized. Tuguhun people loved horses. In their law, stealing horses was the same to kill person. Also, eating “round feet” animal was a traditional taboo. Nowadays, it’s hard to see horses around Qinghai Lake area, as they are replaced by motorbikes. They gradually disappear in human’s life.

Silk Road

　　In the Neolithic Age, the so called “cultural canal” Silk Road already existed and got prosperous in Western Han Dynasty. What we usually refer to is the eastern route of Silk Road; however, the southern route is not so famous. Passing Xining City, the southern route has three branches: the first is northern/ southern bank of Qinghai Lake-Delingha-Dachaidan-Xiaochaidan-Dangjin Mount- Dunhuang, Gansu- Hexi Corridor; the second is southern bank of Qinghai Lake- Dulan County- Xiangride- Nuomuhong- Ge’ermu- Wutu Meiren- Gasi Kule Lake- A’erjin Mount; the third is Zhaling Lake-Bu’er Hanbuda Mount-Xinjiang Autonomous Region. With the development of Tuguhun Kingdom, the southern route became prosperous. In their state, they opened up a new route to Nanjing, passing eastern bank of Qinghai Lake- Gonghe County- Chengdu City- Changjiang River-Nanjing. Because of the poor road and climate condition, the southern route is unpopular, compared with northern route.

The end of Tuguhun Kingdom

　　Fusi City was built as the capital of Tuguhun Dynasty in 535 AD, which witnessed the prosperity and end of this kingdom. In Apr 609 AD, the emperor of Sui Dynasty led troops circling the whole city. The Tuguhun Tribe head-Fuyun and 2000 cavalries escaped and lived temporarily in Dangxiang Tribe. Soon, the Tuguhun Kingdom perished and belonged to Sui Dynasty. About ten years later, Sui Dynasty was succeeded by Tang Dynasty. Fuyun caught the opportunity to rebuild Tuguhun Kingdom, however, it was foolish for him to fight against with Tang Dynasty, which brought life-threaten disaster. In 634AD, Fusi committed suicide and the throne was passed to his son Murongshun. Only ten days later, Mu was killed by his subordinated officials. Then, the grandson of Fusi- Nuohebo admitted Tuguhun to be part of Tang Dynasty. He intermarried with a Honghua Princess of Tang Dynasty.In 663AD, Tubo Tribe occupied Tuguhun Kingdom, which ended its 350-year history. Although the state disappeared, its people survived for centuries. It’s said the Turk people are the decedents of Tuguhun people. Until now, it remains a mystery for thousands of years.