Sacral Kingship in the Turkic World: The Khazar Model

Various forms of sacral kingship were widespread across Eurasia. It was known among the Türks and elements of it are reported among the Uyghurs (744-840) their successors in the east. Among the Khazars, the sacral kingship took on a somewhat different character leading to the transformation of the Khazar Qaghan into a ritually isolated, tabuized figure that reigned, but did not rule. The actual governance of the state was given to the Qaghan Beg/Ishâd, although the Qaghan retained great authority as the bearer of qut (heaven-sent good fortune). Even in death, he continued to be venerated. This transformation occurred in the 9^th century, as the Qaghan is noted in the sources as an active, governing figure before then. It was not connected with Judaization as older Türk traditions of sacral kingship (e.g. the ritual strangulation of the Qaghan at investiture) of shamanic origin continued. One of the possible sources for this transformation may have been the Ors guard force of the Qaghans. The Ors were Khwârazmian in origin and a number of the practices associated with the later Khazar Qaghans are similar to Iranian (cf. Sasanid) traditions.