Kavhan

Kawkhan ( Bulgarian Кавхан, sometimes Cape khan, ancient Greek καυκάνος, καπχάνης, κοπχάνων ) was a title of high medieval, proto- Bulgarian dignitaries.

Role

The Kawkhan was the second man in the Bulgarian state, after the Khan (later Knjaz and Tsar ) and before Itschirgu -Boil, and he possessed considerable power, authority and rights. So he was not only the commander in chief of the army, but also perceived foreign policy tasks. Some Kawkhane concluded peace treaties between the Bulgarian and the Byzantine Empire. Until the age of majority under-age rulers they acted as chief regent. They were members of the Boljaren Council and an important advisor to the Khans. Some researchers refer to in connection with the Kawkhan also offices such as Supreme Magistrate, Chief Justice and Deputy Khan.

Origin

For the first time the title " Kawkhan " in the Old Turkic runic writing of Orkhon Shin is mentioned, which was found in the northern Mongolia. A Kawkhan it should also have been at the Avars. Ramstedt is based on a Chinese origin of the title, pointing Cape kwan as the "first servant in the state."

In the first Bulgarian kingdom of the title refers to an accomplished Khan Kubrat in the 7th century reform of the United Bulgarian Empire.