Overview
Abaoji of the Yelü clan led the Khitans from tribal confederation to empire. Raised as qaghan in 907, he became emperor in 916 and founded the Liao dynasty, known to history as Emperor Taizu of Liao. On taking the throne in 916 he was styled Heavenly Emperor (Tian huangdi).
Rise to Power
Born in 872 into the Yelü clan, which had led the Khitan army for generations, he was made chief of the Yila tribe in 901 and commander of the Khitan army in 903. In early 907 the tribal chiefs set aside the last Yaonian qaghan and raised him in his place.
Rule and Achievements
- Refused to give up the title after the customary three years and crushed three revolts led by his brothers between 911 and 913
- Proclaimed himself emperor in 916 and named his son Bei heir, making the throne hereditary
- Founded the capital Huangdu, later Shangjing, in 918, and had the Khitan large script created in 920
- Campaigned west in 924 to the Orkhon valley, the old Türk and Uyghur heartland
- Conquered the kingdom of Balhae in 926 and made it the client kingdom of Dongdan
Legacy
Abaoji died on 6 September 926, on the way home from Balhae. His widow, Empress Shulü Ping, set aside the heir Bei and secured the throne for their second son, Deguang. The Liao he founded ruled northern China and the Mongolian steppe until 1125, and a branch of his house founded the Kara Khitai in Central Asia. Through the Liao, the name Khitan became Cathay in European languages and Kitai in Russian.