Apa Qaghan was son of Muqan Qaghan, declared himself qaghan of the Turkic Khaganate, in defience of the Toy, his claim of power came with the will of Taspar.

The struggle between Ashina Shetu and Ashina Daluobian, was the struggle between the executive and legislative factions of the khaganate. He allied himself with Tanhan Qaghan (貪汗可汗), who was ruler of the western side since the reign of Taspar Qaghan, during Shetu's disastrous China Campaign of 583.