“Erkin” (Free), the Kul erkin (irkin, kul irkin) is the post in hierarchy between kagan and bek in Turk’s state system. Five erkins commanded over five tribes “nu-shi-pi” or On Oqs (The Ten Arrows) as a part of the Western Blue Turks. And also, the head of the Bairqus was Ulug irkin. This post was also in Uigur khanate, namely leaders of Qarluqs were called “erkin”. Oguz “naib” (assistant) of the state governor “yabgu” also carried the title “Kul Erkin”. According to Chinese sources there were Turkic posеs like “sse-kin”, “i-kin”, “ssu-kin”, “chi-chin”, “isieh-chin”, which were derivatives of word “erkin”. |
