6th International Symposium Oriental Studies

The 6 th International Symposium on Oriental Ancient Documents Studies 28 Rustam Ganiev Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty and the Eastern Turks (Tujue) in 627–649 AD In the history of the Eastern Turkic Empire the events of 630–679 are of particular importance, since, according to many researchers, in this period the state of the Turks did not exist. Scientists break up its history by dividing it into the First (545–630) and the Second Eastern Turkic (679–745) Empires. The main reason for the defeat of the Turks is considered to be the campaign of Emperor Taizong in 630, and his further active policy to strengthen China in 630–649. As a result, the Turks did not pose a formidable military and political force until their rebellion in 679. This article is the first attempt to analyze the political processes of 627–649 in the history of China and the Eastern Turkic Empire in the light of the new climate research data and the Chinese written sources. This allows to reconsider some stereotypes in the Turkic-Chinese relations of the period. We have analyzed the climate changes of 627–630 that have contributed to deterioration of the socio-economic and military-political situation of the Turks. This also influenced on the policy of the Emperor Taizong, who took a course on the creation of a united Chinese- Turkic Empire with the direct participation of the Eastern Turks. In many ways, due to the Turkic-Chinese union the Emperor Taizong was able to achieve success in his foreign and domestic policy, create a united state, and turn it into the great Tang Empire. Key words: the Tang dynasty, Taizong, Eastern Turks, Turkic-Chinese relations.