want to renew the old agreement. As in the earlier period, the people of the frontier tribes may live comfortably in peace. May the children grow up and elders live at their ease till the end of their lives. May peace and ease prevail for generations.

Since I have not received any information from the Chinese ruler for a long time, I am sending this letter with the vizier of the Palace, He-u-Tsiye. I am sending a camel, two saddle and eight carriage horses as a gift. If the Han doesn’t want the Huns to violate the Chinese borders, he must order the people living along the frontier line and the frontier guards to stay at a distance from the border.”

Because this letter exemplifies the policy of the Oguz State, when it had secured its unity for the first time, I give the text in its entirety.

GÖK TÜRKMEN STATE

As a continuation of the Oguzs and the Great Hun State, the Gök Türkmen State was established by Bumyn Han in 552. It was demolished by the Uýgurs and Garlyks in 745. The reign of Bilge Han was the most brilliant period of the state. Bilge Han was born in 683. His father was Ilteriş Gutlug Han. At the age of 33 he became the great ruler of the Gök Türkmen State. Gök Taňry belief was prevalent in the country and the state took its name from this faith. The meaning of Gök Türkmen is the Türkmen belief in the exalted God. Bilge Han declared his Oguz descent with a statement in the inscription on his tombstone: “The Oguz land is my own homeland.”

The state had a vast territory neighbouring the Sasanid, Roman and Chinese States.