Temir Kapig (or Temir Kapiğ, modern Turkish: Demir Kapı, in the old Turkic alphabet " " ) is the historical name of a pass in south east Uzbekistan. Literally it means "Iron Gate". Although its exact location debatable, it is usually considered to be the 3 kilometres (1.9 mi) pass on the road from Samarkand (Uzbekistan) to Balkh (Afghanistan) and close to Qarshi city . According to Lev Gumilev its present name is "Buzgala".
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In the Orkhon Inscriptions
Medieval Turks controlled the silk road during the Göktürk Empire. It was an important source of revenue. Temir Kapig was a strategically important point to control the silk road.
Orkhon inscriptions (also known as Khöshöö Tsaidam monuments) which were erected in 730s, are about Bilge Khagan, a Turkic emperor and his brother Kül Tigin. Bain Tsokto inscriptions which were erected shortly before the Khöshöö Tsaidam monuments are about Tonyukuk, the counselor of Bilge. In all of these inscriptions the geographical name Temir Kapig had been mentioned several times. Below are some examples.
In Kültigin's inscription (South side)
In west, I sent an army over the İnci River (Syr Darya) to Temir Kapig
In Bilge Khagan's inscription (East side)
(Referring to Bumin Khagan) He annexed all territory from Kadıgan forest in the east to Temir Kapig in the west.
In Tonyukuks inscription (2nd monument, South side)
(Referring to campaign in 701) We reached to Temir Kapig