Khan's Den: Turkic and Steppe History

This episode shines a light on the formidable Uyghur Khaganate. Emerging from the Tiele confederation in the mid-6th century, the Uyghurs rose to power by first aligning with the Tang dynasty against the Western Turkic Khaganate in 657. Later, they led a rebellion against the Second Turkic Khaganate, eventually killing its last Khagan in 744 AD. Far from being fleeting nomads, the Uyghurs establis...

The rise of the Mongol Empire is often seen as a sudden, violent explosion that changed the world. But what if it wasn't an exception? What if it was the inevitable climax of a 400-year story of power, collapse, and consolidation on the vast Mongolian steppe? This fourth special episode travels back to the chaotic centuries before Chinggis Khan, beginning with the power vacuum left by the fallen U...

The third special episode this week offers a historical overview of the Kipchak and Cuman Turkic confederations, tracing their origins from the Altai Mountains and their westward expansion. It examines their interactions with neighboring settled kingdoms such as the Rus, Hungarians, and Byzantines, highlighting their military prowess, diplomatic strategies, and cultural impact. In the episode, we...

Another special podcast episode in which we delve into Emre's book "The Göktürk Empire" from December 2024 and dissect the origins, religion, culture and rise of the Göktürk Empire as well as the Göktürk Civil War, conflicts with Byzantium, Persia and the Chinese Empires and lastly the downfall of the Ashina Dynasty. #GokturkEmpire #TurkicHistory #SteppeNomads #AncientWorld #SilkRoad #HistoryPodca...

In this special episode, we conduct a comparative analysis of two foundational concepts of power from the ancient world: Rome's Pomerium and the Turkic Ötüken. One was a legal-religious boundary ritually plowed into the earth to define a city; the other, a sacred mountain forest believed to be the terrestrial axis of divine authority. We further investigate the divergent histories of their violati...

Enjoy soothing shamanic music from the ancient Turkic world with authentic recordings. Perfect for relaxation and mindfulness. All songs licensed by Emre-E. Yavuz. Discover more of my music on Bandcamp. Explore my Göktürk book on Amazon. Visit my site at khansden.net. #Ötüken #ShamanicMusic #TurkicMusic #Relaxation #AncientSounds #Emre-E.Yavuz See show notes: https://inlet.fm/khans-den/episodes/68...

Experience the enchanting sounds of Kazakh shamanic music accompanied by the breathtaking vistas of the Altai Mountains. Music by the exceptionally talented Chibetej. Buy my Göktürk book: here Visit my site: here #AltaiMountains #KazakhShamanicMusic #Chibetej #Göktürk #Altai #Kazakhstan See show notes: https://inlet.fm/khans-den/episodes/687bdde19e50c67027d524a4 Learn more about your ad choices. V...

Explore the captivating world of BUMIN's journey in the new Göktürk movie. Immerse yourself in this epic saga that brings history to life. Check out my music: Bandcamp Buy my Göktürk book: Amazon Visit my site: Website #BUMIN #Göktürk #movie #trailer #epicsaga #history #film See show notes: https://inlet.fm/khans-den/episodes/686f2d6d44ad22953d0dbd0f Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcast...

This novel, 11 years in the making, is all about Eren, a Turkish boy who is stuck between tradition and modernity in a world full of turmoil. While growing up in Early Medieval Central Asia, he must decide how much he is willing to sacrifice for real freedom. It is not only the foreign powers that leech off the devastating Civil War, but his own kin that let it happen. Thankfully, Eren is not alon...

The Eternal Tengri watches over you, Bumın of the Ashina Türks. But beware, your most dangerous enemies lurk, including the most powerful man on the steppe... Check out my music on Bandcamp. Buy my Göktürk book on Amazon. Visit my website. #GöktürkMovie #Bumin'sDestiny #AshinaTürks #EternalTengri #powerfulenemies See show notes: https://inlet.fm/khans-den/episodes/685cb868c52f299c36bed0bf Learn mo...

The 8th-century steppes crackle with upheaval: the Abbasids convulse to the south, the Second Göktürk Empire lies in ruins to the east, and the Khazars solidify their grip on the Caucasus. In this forty-minute deep dive, we follow twenty-four restless Turkic tribes as they seize the Syr Darya basin, forge the loose confederation known as the Oğuz Yabgu State, and set the stage for empires that wou...

The 8th-century steppes were filled with change: the Abbasids were stirring to the south, the Second Göktürk Empire lay in ruins to the east, and the Khazars solidified control over the Caucasus. This episode delves into the journey of twenty-four Turkic tribes as they seized the Syr Darya basin, forming the Oğuz Yabgu State, a precursor to empires that would dominate the Islamic world for a mille...

Experience the original soundtrack from the documentary "The Oghuz Yabgu: Origins of Turkish Empires" released on June 22, 2025. #soundtrack #OğuzKağan #OghuzYabgu #TurkishEmpires See show notes: https://inlet.fm/khans-den/episodes/6855a25a82e2055274ef0093 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Spring, 523 AD. The steppes burn with the fires of rebellion as Börü Khan of the Tölös federation raises the wolf banner against Rouran rule for the first time in a generation. Across the grasslands, the call echoes from clan to clan: the time has come to reclaim freedom, to remember what it means to be wolves rather than dogs. But seventeen-year-old Bumin Ashina will not ride to join this gloriou...

In the spring of 523 AD, the steppes ignite with rebellion as Börü Khan of the Tölös federation raises the wolf banner, challenging Rouran dominance. The call for freedom resonates across the grasslands, urging clans to reclaim their heritage as wolves, not dogs. However, seventeen-year-old Bumin Ashina finds himself marching east with Rouran armies, poised to combat his own people. His journey is...

Winter, 515 AD. The Rouran tribute collectors have taken their due and disappeared into the darkness, leaving the Ashina camp diminished and mourning. Around the dying embers of the evening fire, eight-year-old Bumin clutches the ancient wolf pendant his mother gave him and struggles with a burning question: if they are truly the children of Gök Börü, if their bloodline carries the blessing of the...

My Göktürk Movie will feature not only the Ashina Türks but also Chinese, Persian, and Roman kings and warriors. Witness the epic story unfold! Check out my music: Khan's Den Music Buy my Göktürk book: Göktürk Book Visit my site: Khan's Den #GöktürkMovie #AshinaTürks #Chinesekings #Persianwarriors #Romanleaders See show notes: https://inlet.fm/khans-den/episodes/684db94fad3789b502bfc1be Learn more...

In winter of 515 AD, under the Altai Mountains' shadow, the Ashina Türks endure the oppression of Rouran rule. As tax collectors demand tribute—horses, men, and dignity—young Bumin witnesses his father reduced to subservience, questioning if his clan are mere slaves. On a cold night, carried by the wind, change is in the air as his mother, Ay Hatun, shares a transformative story. From the ruins of...

Enjoy this engaging short story about Bumin and the clandestine Council of Elders in Ötüken. It's a creative experiment that transports you to the heart of Göktürk lore. #Bumin #SecretCouncilofElders #Ötüken #TurkicShortStory See show notes: Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Explore the origins, dynastic history, and settlements of the 24 Turkish Oghuz Tribes from the renowned Oghuz Yabgu State. Dive deep into their historical and contemporary significance. Chapters: Kayı 00:15 Bayat 01:20 Akevli 02:09 Karaevli 02:46 Yazır 03:26 Dodurga 04:02 Döğer 04:37 Yaparlı 05:23 Avşar 05:56 Beğdili 07:10 Karkın 07:53 Kızık 08:31 Bayundur 09:08 Çepni 10:23 Çavuldur 11:14 Pecheneg...

In this special episode, we summarize the complete history of the Ottoman Empire from humble beginnings in the form of the Kayı tribe to the Sublime State that stretched across 3 continents. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this short episode, we epxlore the history of the Kipchaks in under 10 minutes. Perfect to listen to on-the-go! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Explore the fascinating rise and fall of the Cuman-Kipchak confederation across the Eurasian steppe, as they challenged empires and formed crucial alliances. Discover how their fearsome cavalry impacted medieval Europe, including battles that defined their legacy, such as Kalka River and Mohi. Learn about their cultural influence, from the Codex Cumanicus to the spread of Tengrism, and their event...

Experience the soothing narration of the Bilge Khan Inscriptions, accompanied by ambient rain and Turkic shamanic trance music. This immersive audio blend offers a unique cultural and historical journey. #BilgeKhan #OrkhonInscriptions #Turkic #shamanictrance #ambientsounds Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Join Emre he narrates Chapter 6 of his new book "The Gokturk Empire: Rise of the Turkic Peoples." Discover the intriguing origin story of the Ashina clan, explore the legendary Asena Wolf, and differentiate between historical facts and myths. #GokturkEmpire #AshinaClan #AsenaWolflegend #TurkicPeoples #originstory Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices