The Köktürks were an ancient Turkic state that emerged in the 6th century CE in Central Asia. They are known for uniting various Turkic tribes and establishing a powerful empire that stretched across parts of modern-day Mongolia, China, and Kazakhstan. The Köktürk Khaganate played a significant role in the history of the Silk Road, facilitating trade and cultural exchange between East and West. The empire was divided into two main periods: the Eastern and Western Köktürk Khaganates. The Köktürk rulers, known as khans, implemented a system of governance that included a written script, known as the Orkhon script, which is one of the earliest forms of Turkic writing. Their legacy influenced later Turkic states and cultures in the region.