Tang conquest of Gaochang
640 CE · Gaochang (modern Turpan, Xinjiang) · China · Early modern
Hou Junji led the Tang army across the desert to attack Gaochang; Qu Wentai died of illness out of fear, and his son Qu Zhisheng came out and surrendered
Belligerents
Tang
- Commanders
- Hou Junji, Xue Wanjun
- Strength
- Tang army of tens of thousands
Gaochang
- Commanders
- Qu Wentai, Qu Zhisheng
- Strength
- Gaochang garrison
Background
Qu Wentai, king of Gaochang, blocked the trade routes of the Western Regions and allied with the Western Turkic Khaganate, so Emperor Taizong of Tang decided to send troops.
Course of the battle
- Crossing the desertThe Tang army crossed the great desert; Qu Wentai, who had believed the Tang army could never reach him, died of fear when he heard the news
- Siege assaultThe Tang army assaulted the city with nest carts and catapults, and the Gaochang garrison could not hold
- Qu Zhisheng surrendersThe new king Qu Zhisheng opened the gates and surrendered, and Tang established Xi Prefecture
Outcome at a glance
| Date | 640 CE |
|---|---|
| Place | Gaochang (modern Turpan, Xinjiang) |
| Result | Hou Junji led the Tang army across the desert to attack Gaochang; Qu Wentai died of illness out of fear, and his son Qu Zhisheng came out and surrendered |
| Winner | Tang |
| Casualties | Fall of the Gaochang Kingdom |
| Territorial change | Tang made the territory Xi Prefecture and set up the Protectorate General to Pacify the West to administer the Western Regions |
Impact
Tang's conquest of Gaochang opened the door to administering the Western Regions, and the Protectorate General to Pacify the West was set up as a result.
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