Parhae

Quick Facts: Who was Parhae?

Subject:

Parhae

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A multiethnic kingdom in East Asia, established by Tae Choyŏng between the 7th and 10th centuries.

Verified Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

Parhae, also rendered as Bohai or Balhae, and called Jin early on, was a multiethnic kingdom established in 698 by Tae Choyŏng (Da Zuorong). It was originally known as the Kingdom of Jin (震, Zhen) until 713, when its name was changed to Parhae. At its greatest extent it corresponded to what is today Northeast China, the northern half of the Korean Peninsula and the southeastern Russian Far East. There are differing accounts of Parhae's founding, but most of them state that when Parhae was founded by Tae Choyŏng in 698, it involved Goguryeo and Mohe people. Parhae's early history was marked by a rocky relationship with the Tang dynasty, characterized by military and political conflict, but by the end of the 8th century the relationship had become cordial and friendly.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

The Tang dynasty would eventually recognize Parhae as the "Prosperous Country in the East". Parhae's culture has been described as similar to, derived from, or affiliated with Goguryeo, Mohe, Khitan, and Tang cultural elements. However the exact nature of Parhae's relationship to these cultures is disputed. Parhae adopted some of the Tang's administrative systems like Three Departments and Six Ministries. Parhae was conquered by the Khitan-led Liao dynasty in 926.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

A significant portion of Parhae's population fled to Goryeo while others remained in Parhae or were deported to other places in the Liao empire. Parhae survived as a distinct population group for another three centuries in the Liao and Jin dynasties before assimilating into other groups and disappearing under Mongol rule. The history surrounding the origin of the state, its ethnic composition, the modern cultural affiliation of the ruling dynasty, the reading of their names, and its borders are the subject of a historiographical dispute between Korea, China and Russia. Historical sources from both China and Korea have described Parhae's founder, Tae Choyŏng, as related to the Mohe people and Goguryeo. Parhae was founded in 698 by Tae Choyŏng (Da Zuorong) under the name 震 (진, Jin), read as tsyinH in Middle Chinese.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Parhae

True or False: “The name Parhae was initially used by the kingdom before it adopted its final title.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): The kingdom was originally known as Jin (震) until 713 when the Tang dynasty bestowed upon its ruler the noble title associated with Bohai (Parhae).

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Frequently Asked Questions about Parhae