Prior to leading the Kök Türük wing of what was the Tägäräk confederation, members of the Aşıŋa clan were likely in service to the Ju-qu (沮渠) dynasty of Northern Liang (北涼). The Ju-qu belonged to a tribe of the Hoŋa (匈奴) that took their hereditary title of Ju-qu (且渠), a high Hunnic title, as their dynastonym.

The Ju-qu Massacre

In 436 C.E., the Ju-qu capital at Gu-zang (姑臧) fell to the Tabğaç (拓拔) Emperor Büri (佛貍) of Northern Wei’s (北魏) forces, who captured the Ju-qu ruler Muqan (牧犍). Emperor Büri then forced Muqan to commit suicide, which led his brothers Ju-qu Bögü (無諱) and Ju-qu An-zhou (沮渠安周) to take control of the state, leading its remnants to Qoço (高昌). They managed to hold out until 460 C.E., after which they were conquered and made vassals to the Tatar state. The Ju-qu dynasty was said to be all but destroyed.