Jïlan> Čilen (eel, grig). “Čilen” was one of Turkic cities (hordes). Remians of this city(horde) is located near to the Horde-balyk, and the Kultegin and Bilge kagan’s memorial complexes, and kagan necropolises in mountains “Quttu tau”. The city(horde) is not explored. It is located on an island inside the Orhon river. Features of the city, especially fortification and kagan palace are well kept. A site: N-47 ° 45 ' 411 "; E-102 ° 38 ' 648". 1324 m over sea level. Local people name it Čilen balgas, i.e. “Site of ancient settlement Chilen” and “Chilen”, “Chilengiin balgas”, “Chilen hangai”, “Chilengiin tohoi”.
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The Chilen fortress. The East side (N.Bazylhan, 2007) |
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Some researchers believe, that the word “Chilen” comes from old Mongolian “Čilaγun> chilagun> chuluun//chuluu” (a stone). The orhon expedition called it “Tajdshin-dzhilo”, i.e. “A stone of the prince”. Old Turkic name of the city is unknown. There are assumptions that Jïlan (Snake)> Čilen. The first scheme of the city had been made by the Orhon expedition under the guidance of W.Radloff in 1891. D.D.Bukinich did some studies of the city. S.V.Kiselyov, H.Perlee treates the city of the Uigur khanate.