The Esegel Enigma
An academic exploration into the origins, linguistic debates, and historical trajectory of a pivotal Oghur Turkic tribe.
Discover Origins 🗺️ Explore Names 🗣️Dive in with Flashcard Learning!
🎮 Play the Wiki2Web Clarity Challenge Game🎮
Defining the Esegel
Dynastic Tribe
The Esegel, also known by variations such as Izgil, Äsägäl, Askel, Askil, and Ishkil, were a significant Oghur Turkic dynastic tribe during the Middle Ages. Their historical trajectory saw them eventually join and assimilate into the broader population of Volga Bulgaria.
Eurasian Presence
Numerous historical records, documented across various languages and regions spanning Eurasia, attest to the existence of the Esegel. These sources provide a rich, albeit complex, tapestry of information, leading to a multitude of transliterations and interpretations of their name.
Historical Context
As an Oghur Turkic group, the Esegel were part of a larger linguistic and cultural sphere that played a crucial role in the formation of early states and confederations in Eastern Europe and Central Asia. Their eventual integration into the Volga Bulgar polity signifies a key moment in the ethnogenesis of the region.
The Name: Etymological Pathways
Proposed Origins
The etymology of the name "Esegel" and its variants is a subject of considerable scholarly discussion, with several prominent theories attempting to decipher its linguistic roots:
Chinese Records and Distinctions
Scholarly interpretations of Chinese sources reveal further complexity:
Historical Testimonies
Arab and Persian Accounts
Several key medieval Arab and Persian sources mention the Esegel, often in the context of the Volga Bulgars:
- Ibn Fadlan (c. 921-922 CE): The Arab ambassador Ahmad ibn Fadlan documented the presence of the Askel tribe on the banks of the Volga River. He listed them alongside the main Bulgar groups, Suvars, Bersula, and Barandzhar.
- Ahmad ibn Rustah (c. 982 CE): This Persian geographer identified Esegel as one of the three primary branches of the Volga Bulgars, alongside the Bersula and the Oghuz.
- Persian "Geography" (c. 982 CE): This text names the Ishkils as one of three Bulgarian tribes engaged in frequent internal conflicts.
- Gardizi (mid-11th century): The author of Zain al-ahbar noted that the Eskels, who belonged to the Bulgars, were situated between Bulgar and Magyar territories, identifying the Magyars as also being a Turkic tribe.
Byzantine and Chinese Records
Evidence also emerges from Byzantine and Chinese historical records:
- Constantine VII Porphyrogenitus: The Byzantine Emperor recorded the endoethnonym of the "Magyar Turks" as Savartoiaskaloi, suggesting a composite identity involving the Savart (Suvar/Sabir) and Eskel groups.
- Chinese Annals (New Book of Tang, 651 CE): These records list the Äxijie (identified by Zuev with Esegel) as one of the five prominent western tribes of the Western Turkic Khaganate. The leader, Kül-Irkin, is described as exceptionally prosperous and commanding tens of thousands of soldiers.
- Theophanes the Confessor (c. 563 CE): Mentioned a Xionite personal name Askil/Askel in relation to the king of the Hermihions, a tribe near the ocean, who sent ambassadors to Constantinople.
Archaeological Clues
Archaeological findings suggest the existence of ancient city ruins attributed to the Askel tribe in the location known as Ashli, providing a potential physical anchor for their historical presence.
Scholarly Debates and Connections
Linking Tribes and Peoples
The precise affiliations and relationships of the Esegel with other historical groups are subjects of ongoing academic debate. Key points of discussion include:
- Western Turkic Khaganate: Zuev's identification of Izgil with the Axijie tribe, part of the Nushibi confederation within the Western Turkic Khaganate, places them within a major Turkic political entity of the 7th century.
- Tiele and Toquz Oghuz: Gumilyov's earlier associations of Izgils with the Sijie (Toquz Oghuz) and Xijie (Tiele) tribes highlight potential connections within broader Turkic tribal networks.
- Chigils: While some scholars, including Ögel, linked Sijie, Axijie, and Izgil to the Chigils, Zuev noted that the Chigils (identified with the Chuyue) were not part of the "Ten Arrows" union, unlike the Axijie, suggesting a distinction.
The Székely Question
One of the most debated aspects is the potential connection between the Esegel and the Székely people of Hungary:
Integration and Legacy
Joining the Volga Bulgars
The historical consensus indicates that the Esegel, as an Oghur Turkic tribe, eventually became integrated into the larger ethnopolitical entity of Volga Bulgaria. This assimilation process likely occurred over an extended period, contributing to the cultural and demographic makeup of the Bulgar state.
Enduring Influence?
While the specific identity of the Esegel as a distinct tribal unit faded over time due to assimilation, scholarly debate continues regarding their potential long-term influence. The theories connecting them to the Székely people, though contested, underscore the enduring quest to trace the complex migrations and interactions of ancient Turkic groups across Eurasia.
Teacher's Corner
Edit and Print this course in the Wiki2Web Teacher Studio

Click here to open the "Esegel" Wiki2Web Studio curriculum kit
Use the free Wiki2web Studio to generate printable flashcards, worksheets, exams, and export your materials as a web page or an interactive game.
True or False?
Test Your Knowledge!
Gamer's Corner
Are you ready for the Wiki2Web Clarity Challenge?
Unlock the mystery image and prove your knowledge by earning trophies. This simple game is addictively fun and is a great way to learn!
Play now
References
References
- Golden P.B., "Khazar studies. Historico-philological inguiry into the origins of the Khazars", Vol. 1, Budapest, Akadémiai Kiadó, 1980
- Räsänen M. "Uralaltaische Wortforschungen" // STUDIA ORIENTALIA, 18â3, 1955, p. 5, in Golden P.B., "Khazar studies", p. 241
- Golden, Peter B. (1992). An Introduction to the History of the Turkic People. Otto Harrassowitz, Wiesbaden. p. 143
- Old Book of Tang, Vol. 199b Tiele
- Tongdian vol. 199 "Beidi 6: Tujue B"
- Old Book of Tang vol. 194 "Tujue B: Western Tujue"
- Old Book of Tang, Vol. 199b Tiele
- Blažek, V. & Schwartz, M. "Tocharians: Who they were, where they came from, and where they lived" in Tocharian Studies: Works 1 (2011), p. 119
- Róna-Tas, András "Bayan and Asparuh. Nine Notes on Turks and Iranians in East Europe", Turcologia 105, Harrassowitz Verlag, Wiesbaden (2016). pp. 65-78
- Zuev (2002) Early Turks: Essays of history and ideology, Almaty, Daik-Press, 2002, p. 145, 250
- Old Book of Tang, Vol. 194b
- Ouyang Xiu, "Xin Tang shu (History of Tang dynasty", 618â907, New Edition)], Peking, Bo-na, 1958, Ch. 215b, p. 1506, f. 56
- Kovalevsky A.P. "Ahmed ibn Fadlan's book on travel to Volga in 921â922", Kharkiv, 1956, p. 139 (Translation)
- Minorsky V., "Hudud al-'Alam" (The regions of the World, London, 1937, p. 162)
- Bartold W., "Extracts from Gardizi composition "Za ahbar" //Collection of Works, vol. 5. Moscow-Leningrad, 1973, p. 37, 58
- Róna-Tas, András. "Bayan and Asparuh. Nine Notes on Turks and Iranians in East Europe", Turcologia 105, Harrassowitz Verlag, Wiesbaden (2016). pp. 65-78
Feedback & Support
To report an issue with this page, or to find out ways to support the mission, please click here.
Academic Disclaimer
Important Notice
This document has been generated by an Artificial Intelligence, drawing exclusively from the provided source text. It is intended for academic and informational purposes, aiming to present complex historical and linguistic data in an accessible format suitable for higher education students.
This is not a substitute for primary source analysis or expert historical consultation. The content reflects interpretations and debates present in the source material and may not represent the definitive or universally accepted historical account. The AI has strived for accuracy based on the provided text but cannot guarantee the completeness or absolute veracity of the information.
Users are encouraged to consult original scholarly works and primary sources for in-depth research. The creators of this AI-generated content are not responsible for any interpretations, omissions, or actions taken based on the information presented herein.