THE SECRET WAR ON THE STEPPE
One of the most remarkable struggles in Turkish history took place not on the battlefield, but in the effort to learn the secret plans of the enemy. While the Kök Turks regained power, the Nine Oghuzs sought an alliance with the Chinese and the Khitans. However, the preparations did not remain secret. A spy from the Nine Oghuzs conveyed the news of the alliance to Bilge Tonyukuk. Evaluating the information obtained, Tonyukuk took action instead of waiting for the enemy’s move and went on an expedition against the Nine Oghuzs. This incident was recorded as one of the important examples showing that the Kök Turks fought not only with their military power, but also with intelligence activities based on knowing the enemy’s intentions in advance.
TONYUKUK WAS ACCOUNTED
The real danger arose with the alliance China formed to eliminate the Root Turks. According to the plan of the Chinese Emperor Hsüan Tsung, the Basmils would take action from the west, the Kitans and Tatabis would take action from the east, and the Chinese army would take action from the south. The aim was to eliminate the Kök Turks from the stage of history by squeezing them from different directions. The plan worried Bilge Kaghan. However, Tonyukuk evaluated the positions and strengths of the enemy forces. He determined that the Basmils were located in Five Fishes, that the distance between them and other allies would make joint operations difficult, and that the Basmils were militarily weak. According to the research, Tonyukuk’s predictions were correct. China’s grand siege plan was opposed by a state mind that knew the weak points of the enemy.
SPECIAL UNIONS CALLED ‘BÖRI’
One of the most striking elements in the security system of the Kök Turks was the elite troops called “Böri”. The warriors with this name, which means wolf, were not only responsible for protecting the kagan. Their duties included finding out the number of the enemy army, researching the roads to be crossed before the war, and determining water and food sources. These warriors, chosen for their courage, endurance and secret-keeping skills, were also known as “Alpagut”. The research emphasizes that Böri units, which were used in sabotaging enemies and collecting information, can be considered as one of the early examples of organized intelligence in Turkish history.
TRADERS WERE ALSO CARRYING NEWS
The Kök Turks’ information gathering activities were not limited to warriors. Sogdians, who traded along the Silk Road, played an important role in the state’s relations with the outside world. These merchants, who could speak different languages and had extensive connections from China to Byzantium, also took part in diplomatic contacts. According to the research, the information obtained by the Sogdians through trade and diplomacy was a valuable source of intelligence for the Kök Turks. For example, a Sogdian merchant named Maniakh was assigned as an ambassador in negotiations with the Sassanids and Byzantium. Thus, the roads along which the caravans traveled turned into routes through which not only goods but also news about political developments circulated.
