Qara Khitai

Quick Facts: Who was Qara Khitai?

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Qara Khitai

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A Central Asian empire established by the Yelü clan, continuing the Liao tradition.

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2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

The Qara Khitai or Kara Khitai, officially the Great Liao, also known as the Western Liao, was a dynastic state based in Central Asia, ruled by the Yelü clan of the Khitan people, a Sinicized Para-Mongolic people from modern day eastern Mongolia and Northeast China. The Khitans had ruled the Liao dynasty (907–1125), covering much of Northeast Asia, until they were defeated by the Jurchens. A group of displaced Khitans led by Yelü Dashi fled to Central Asia and continued to rule as a continuation of the Liao dynasty. The state developed into a multicultural empire synthesizing Khitan and Liao traditions with Chinese administrative forms while governing a predominantly Turkic and Iranian population. The territories of the Qara Khitai corresponded to parts of modern-day China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

The Anushtegin dynasty, the Karluks, Qocho kingdom, the Kankalis, and the Kara-Khanid Khanate were vassal states of the Qara Khitai at some point in history. Chinese and Muslim historiographical sources, such as the History of Liao, considered the Qara Khitai to be a legitimate Chinese dynasty. The empire was usurped by the Naiman prince Kuchlug in 1211. Traditional Chinese, Persian and Arabic sources generally treat this usurpation as the end of the Khitan dynasty, although the state itself survived until the Mongol conquest of the Qara Khitai in 1218. Some western Khitan remnants later established the Qutlugh-Khanid dynasty in southern Iran.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

In 1124, the Qara Khitai established by Yelü Dashi continued to use the Chinese dynastic name of "Great Liao". In historiography, however, this regime is more commonly called the "Western Liao" or "Qara Khitai". The Qara Khitans used neither "Western Liao" or "Qara Khitai" to refer to themselves. They regarded themselves as the legitimate continuation of the Liao dynasty and continued to use the Khitan name "Great Liao Khitan" ("Great Liao" in Chinese) as their self designation. Western Liao is a Chinese designation and Qara Khitai is a Turko-Mongol term.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1124: 1124 Milestone — In 1124, the Qara Khitai established by Yelü Dashi continued to use the Chinese dynastic name of "Great Liao".
2. 1125: 1125 Milestone — The Khitans had ruled the Liao dynasty (907–1125), covering much of Northeast Asia, until they were defeated by the Jurchens.
3. 1211: 1211 Milestone — The empire was usurped by the Naiman prince Kuchlug in 1211.
4. 1218: 1218 Milestone — Traditional Chinese, Persian and Arabic sources generally treat this usurpation as the end of the Khitan dynasty, although the state itself survived until the Mongol conquest of the Qara Khitai in 1218.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Qara Khitai

True or False: “The Qara Khitai adopted the name 'Qara Khitai' immediately after their initial establishment in 1124.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): They initially used the Chinese dynastic name of "Great Liao" and only adopted the term 'Qara Khitai' later, after the Mongol invasions.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• David IV — Historical peer (Died in 1125) (1125): The Builder: Great King of Georgia who ushered in the Golden Age.
• Henry V, Holy Roman Emperor — Historical peer (Died in 1125) (1125): King of Germany and Holy Roman Emperor, last of the Salian dynasty.
• Emperor Chūkyō — Historical peer (Born in 1218) (1218): The 85th Emperor of Japan, whose brief reign was overshadowed by political turmoil.
• Jayavarman VII — Historical peer (Died in 1218) (1218): Powerful Khmer monarch who championed Buddhism and built extensive welfare infrastructure.
• Eleanor of Aquitaine — Historical peer (Born in 1124) (1124): Powerful Duchess of Aquitaine and influential Queen of France and England.
• Hasan-i Sabbah — Historical peer (Died in 1124) (1124): Founder of the Nizari Ismaili movement and ruler of the Alamut fortress.

Frequently Asked Questions about Qara Khitai