Rouran Khaganate Discussion

Dedicated for all DNA, Analysis Results, History, Research topics related to: Rouran Khaganate

The Rouran Khaganate were the first people who used the title of khan or khagan and are believed to be descended from the Xianbei. They were a nomadic people who remained in the Eurasian Steppes after most the Xianbei migrated south settling in Northern China. They were fierce warriors but politically fragmented until 402 AD when Shelun united the Rouran under one banner. They defeated the neighboring Tiele and expanded territory over the Silk Roads. They also forced the Hepthalites south which displaced the Yuezhi in Bactria forcing them further south. The Khaganate lasted from the late 4th century until the middle 6th century, when they were defeated by the Gokturk rebellion which led to the rise of the Turks. Rouran is a Classical Chinese transcription of the endonym of the peoples, but Xianbei sources from orders given by Emperor Taiwu of Northern Wei, Ruanruan and Ruru provide a meaning similiar to a wriggling worm. The Rouran eventually fled west afterwards and possibly merged with the Pannonian Avars.