Özmiş Khagan

Özmiş Khagan (Chinese: 乌苏米施可汗; pinyin: Wūsūmǐshī Kèhán) - was the last penultimate khagan of the Second Turkic Khaganate (Göktürks).

Ozmish Qaghan 乌苏米施可汗
Qaghan of the Second Turkic Khaganate
Reign	742 - 744
Predecessor	Kutluk Yabgu Khagan (claimant) Ashina Shi (Basmyl chief)
Successor	Kulun Beg (in Tujue) Ashina Shi (Basmyl chief)
Born	Ashina Wusimishi 阿史那乌苏米施
Died	(744-01-06)January 6, 744
House	Ashina
Father	Pan Kul Tigin

Background

His father Pan Kul Tigin was a shad (governor) of the empire during the reign of Bilge Kutluk Khagan. Although Pan Kül Tigin had staged a successful coup against Kutluk Bilge, he was killed during a battle against Ashina Shi and his Basmyls. Following a short and turbulent term where Kutlug Yabgu Kagan tried to restore the authority without success, Özmiş was elected as the new khagan in 742.

Reign

The policy of Tang China was to vassalize all people to the north of Chinese border line and Özmiş was also expected to pay respect. Initially, Özmiş agreed to visit emperor Xuanzong’s court and pay respect to the emperor, but then he changed his mind and tried to keep his independence. His reluctance annoyed the emperor and the emperor tasked his general Wang Zhongsi (王忠嗣) to arrest Özmiş. Wang Zhongsi organized a coalition of three Turkic people Basmyl, Uighur and Karluk, who had previously accepted the suzerainty of Chinese emperor, instead of Özmiş. The coalition defeated Özmiş. Although Özmiş escaped he was soon defeated for the second time and was killed in 744 by Ashina Shi. Although the Turkic people elected Özmiş’s son Kulun Beg as their new khagan, his empire is usually considered to be collapsed by the death of Özmiş.