Liao dynasty

The Liao dynasty (/ljaʊ/;[3] Khitan: Mos Jælud; traditional Chinese: 遼朝; simplified Chinese: 辽朝; pinyin: Liáo cháo),[4] also known as the Khitan Empire (Khitan: Mos diau-d kitai huldʒi gur),[5] officially the Great Liao (Chinese: 大遼; pinyin: Dà Liáo), was an imperial dynasty of China that existed between 916 and 1125, ruled by the Yelü clan of the Khitan people. Founded around the time of the collapse of the Tang dynasty, at its greatest extent it ruled over Northeast China, the Mongolian Plateau, the northern part of the Korean Peninsula, southern portions of the Russian Far East, and the northern tip of the North China Plain.[6]

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Great Liao / Qidan 大遼 Great Liao / 契丹國 Khitan State
916–1125
KARAKHANID KHANATE CUMAN-KIPCHAKS KHITAN EMPIRE Kyrgyzs SONG DYNASTY 1000 QOCHO KHOTAN GHAZNAVID EMPIRE BUYIDS WESTERN CHALUKYAS PALA EMPIRE ◁ ▷ The Liao dynasty (labeled Khitan Empire) and main polities in Asia c. 1000.
Liao circuits, c. 1111
Capital	Shangjing (Linhuang)1
Common languages	Khitan, Middle Chinese, Jurchen
Religion	Majority: Buddhism Khitan traditional animism
Demonym(s)	Khitan
Government	Monarchy
Emperor-Khan
• 907–926	Taizu
• 926–947	Taizong
• 947–951	Shizong
• 951–969	Muzong
• 969–982	Jingzong
• 982–1031	Shengzong
• 1031–1055	Xingzong
• 1055–1101	Daozong
• 1101–1125	Tianzuo
Historical era	Medieval Asia
• Abaoji becomes Khagan of Khitans	907
• Abaoji assumes the title of Celestial Emperor	916
• "Great Liao" adopted as a dynastic name	947
• Signing of the Chanyuan Treaty with Song	1005
• Emergence of Jin dynasty	1114–1115
• Emperor Tianzuo captured by Jin	1125
• Western Liao established	1124
Area
947 est.[1][2]	2,600,000 km2 (1,000,000 sq mi)
Currency	Mostly barter in the nomadic areas, and cash coins in the southern circuit. (See: Liao dynasty coinage)
Preceded by Succeeded by Khitan people Tang dynasty Kyrgyz khaganate Later Jìn Kumo Xi Shiwei people Bohai Zubu Karluks Jīn dynasty Northern Liao Western Xia Western Liao (Qara Khitai) Khamag Mongol Qocho
Today part of	China Mongolia North Korea Russia
1. Shangjing (Linhuang) was ranked first of five capitals that were established by Liao, all of which served concurrently as regional capitals of a circuit. The other four capitals included Nanjing (Xijin, today's Beijing), Dongjing (Liaoyang), Xijing (Datong) and Zhongjing (Dading, today's Ningcheng).

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Prehistoric period Afanasievo culture 3300–2500 BC Ulaanzuukh culture 1450–1150 BC Slab-grave culture 1100–300 BC Chandman culture 700–300 BC
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The dynasty rose from the consolidation of power among the Khitans in the 8th century and their expansionist campaigns in the latter half of the 9th century. Eventually the Yila chieftain, Abaoji, became the leader of the Khitans and proclaimed a Chinese-style dynastic state in 916. The Liao dynasty launched multiple military campaigns against neighboring states and peoples including the Kumo Xi, Shiwei, Tatars, Zubu, Khongirad, Balhae, Goryeo, Later Tang, and the Song dynasty. Its conquests include the Sixteen Prefectures (including present-day Beijing and part of Hebei) by fueling a proxy war that led to the collapse of the Later Tang (923–936). In 1004, the Liao dynasty launched an expedition against the Northern Song dynasty. After heavy fighting and large casualties between the two empires, both sides worked out the Chanyuan Treaty. Through the treaty, the Liao dynasty forced the Northern Song to recognize them as peers and heralded an era of peace and stability between the two powers that lasted approximately 120 years. It was the first state to control all of Manchuria.[7]

Tension between traditional Khitan social and political practices and Han influence and customs was a defining feature of the dynasty. This tension led to a series of succession crises; Liao emperors favored the Han concept of primogeniture, while much of the rest of the Khitan elite supported the traditional method of succession by the strongest candidate. In addition, the adoption of Han systems and the push to reform Khitan practices led Abaoji to set up two parallel governments. The Northern Administration governed Khitan areas following traditional Khitan practices, while the Southern Administration governed areas with large non-Khitan populations, adopting traditional Han governmental practices.

The Liao dynasty was destroyed by the Jurchen-led Jin dynasty in 1125 with the capture of the Emperor Tianzuo of Liao. However, the remnant Liao loyalists, led by Yelü Dashi (Emperor Dezong of Liao), established the Western Liao dynasty (Qara Khitai), which ruled over parts of Central Asia for almost a century before being conquered by the Mongol Empire. Although cultural achievements associated with the Liao dynasty are considerable, and a number of various statuary and other artifacts exist in museums and other collections, major questions remain over the exact nature and extent of the influence of the Liao culture upon subsequent developments, such as the musical and theatrical arts.