Qaghan
/ˈkɑː.ɣɑːn/noun
A title used by some Turkic and Mongolic rulers meaning a supreme khan or emperor.
Did you know?Qaghan is historically tied to the steppe imperial title later borrowed across Eurasia, and its prestige was so strong that neighboring peoples adopted variations of it for supreme rulers.
Etymological Timeline
Early Turkic/Mongolic steppe
Altai
*qaγan
“A supreme ruler or emperor-like title among steppe peoples”
Old Turkic
Old Turkic
qaγan
“A high imperial title, above a khan”
Classical Chinese
Chinese
可汗 (kèhán)
“A transcription used for steppe rulers”
Medieval Persian
Persian
qāghān / خاقان
“A title for a great ruler, especially a khan of khans”
Modern English
English
qaghan
“A historical title for a supreme steppe ruler”