Yelü Dashi
After the fall of Liao he went west to Central Asia and founded Western Liao (Qara Khitai).
Life
The Linya Heads West
Yelü Dashi was an eighth-generation descendant of Emperor Taizu of Liao. Versed in both Khitan and Chinese, he passed the jinshi examination and rose to Hanlin Academician; since the Khitan called a Hanlin scholar "linya," he was known as "Dashi Linya." When the Jin attacked the Liao in 1122, he enthroned Yelü Chun at Yanjing and resisted both the Jin army and the Northern Song army.
Founding Western Liao
In 1124, after a disagreement with Emperor Tianzuo, he left with some 200 horsemen, pushed north to Kedun, rallied seven prefectures and 18 tribes of the Northern Gobi, and reorganized his army to march west. He founded a city at Emil in Central Asia and in 1132 proclaimed himself emperor with the title "Gurkhan," founding what historians call Western Liao.
Battle of Qatwan
In 1141 he routed the coalition of the Seljuk sultan Sanjar at the Battle of Qatwan, taking control of Transoxiana. Western Liao ruled Central Asia for nearly 80 years, carrying the name "Khitan" (Qara Khitai) far to the West. He died in 1143.
Legacy
After the Fall of Liao, Yelü Dashi founded the Western Liao, which ruled Central Asia for nearly 80 years; he is thought to be one of the sources of the European legend of Prester John.
Major works & achievements
- Founding Western Liao
- Defeated the Seljuks at the Battle of Qatwan
Did you know? The Western Liao population was mainly Turkic and Iranian, yet its Khitan rulers kept Chinese-style era names and official institutions.
Key dates
- 1115Passed the jinshi exam
- 1122Enthroned Yelü Chun at Yanjing
- 1124Led his followers west to Kedun
- 1132Proclaimed himself emperor; founded Western Liao
- 1137Made Balasagun his capital
- 1141Routed the Seljuks at the Battle of Qatwan
- 1143Died