Career
The name is spelled as t-o-ň-uq-uq (�����) in the Old Turkic script, variously interpreted as Tunuquq, Tonuquq, Tuj-uquq, Tony Yuguq, Tujun-oq, Tojuquq, with a number of suggestions for its etymology. He played a major role in the politics of the Turkic tribes and the establishment and assertion of the Göktürk state against the Chinese Tang Dynasty. Tonyukuk first served the Tang Empire, then joined the Göktürk rebellion against the empire.
He was one of the Turkic commanders during the battle on the Tola River and led the Göktürk campaigns against the Kirgiz Khanate in 708-709 and against the Turgesh Khanate and Arab Qalifate in 711-712.
After Qaghan Qapaghan"s death, he did not support Kultegin and Bilge in their struggle against the power of Qapaghan"s sons. When they emerged victorious, he was discharged from ruling the khanate.
Subsequently, however, Bilge decided to rehabilitate him.
