Battle of Mount Jiluo
89 CE · Mount Jiluo (around the Khan Khökhii Mountains in modern Mongolia) · China · Ancient
Dou Xian led the Han army and Southern Xiongnu cavalry beyond the frontier, crushed the Northern Xiongnu at Mount Jiluo, and pursued them to Mount Yanran, where he carved a stone to record his achievement
Belligerents
Eastern Han
- Commanders
- Dou Xian, Geng Bing
- Strength
- More than 30,000 Han, Southern Xiongnu and Qiang-Hu cavalry
Northern Xiongnu
- Commanders
- Northern Chanyu
- Strength
- Main Northern Xiongnu army
Background
The Northern Xiongnu were torn by internal strife and years of famine, and the Southern Xiongnu asked for a campaign; Dou Xian, having committed a crime, asked to attack the Xiongnu to atone and was appointed General of Chariots and Cavalry.
Course of the battle
- Three columns beyond the frontierThe Han army and Southern Xiongnu cavalry went beyond the frontier in three columns and joined forces at Mount Zhuoye
- Decisive battle at Mount JiluoThe Han army crushed the Northern Chanyu's main force at Mount Jiluo, and the Northern Chanyu fled
- Inscription on Mount YanranDou Xian climbed Mount Yanran, had Ban Gu compose an inscription carved in stone to record the achievement, and then returned
Outcome at a glance
| Date | 89 CE |
|---|---|
| Place | Mount Jiluo (around the Khan Khukhii Mountains in present-day Mongolia) |
| Result | Dou Xian led the Han army and Southern Xiongnu cavalry beyond the frontier, crushed the Northern Xiongnu at Mount Jiluo, and pursued them to Mount Yanran, where he carved a stone to record his achievement |
| Winner | Eastern Han |
| Casualties | The Northern Xiongnu suffered a crushing defeat; records say more than 13,000 were beheaded and over 200,000 surrendered |
| Territorial change | The main Northern Xiongnu force migrated west, and the Northern Gobi no longer posed a major threat to the Han dynasty |
Impact
The Battle of Mount Jiluo and the later Battle of Mount Jinwei drove the Northern Xiongnu out of the Northern Gobi, and the "Inscription on Mount Yanran" became a byword for frontier military achievement in later ages.
See the world in 89 on the map →