The Early Struggles of the Khitan People

The Khitan people emerged as a significant nomadic force in Northeast Asia during the Northern and Southern Dynasties period. By the time of the Eastern and Western Wei dynasties, they had already established themselves as a formidable power. However, their early ambitions were brutally crushed by Emperor Gao Yang of Northern Qi, who launched devastating campaigns against northern nomadic groups. The Rouran Khaganate was annihilated, and the Khitan suffered such catastrophic losses that they disappeared from historical records for nearly a century.

Reduced to vassals of the Göktürks, the Khitan remained subdued until the Tang Dynasty’s rise. Recognizing Tang supremacy, they submitted to Emperor Taizong, who reorganized their tribal structure into ten prefectures under the Songmo Governorate. Khitan chieftains were granted the imperial surname Li and appointed as regional governors, receiving banners and drums—symbols of legitimacy—from the “Heavenly Khagan” (Tang emperor).

The Khitan Under Tang Rule and Rebellion

From the Zhenguan to Kaiyuan eras (627–741), Khitan khans were drawn from the Dahe clan. However, tensions flared during Empress Wu Zetian’s reign when Khitan leader Li Jinzhong rebelled, declaring himself the “Peerless Khan” alongside his brother-in-law Sun Wanrong. Their forces captured Yingzhou and killed its governor, Zhao Wenhui. Yet, the rebellion was short-lived. The Tang military machine, revitalized under Emperor Xuanzong, swiftly crushed the uprising. The establishment of the Jiedushi (military governor) system, particularly the Youzhou Jiedushi, ensured Khitan submission for another century.

By 730, the Dahe clan’s influence waned, and leadership passed to the Yaonian clan. For the next 150 years, the Khitan remained a subdued tributary—until the birth of a legendary leader.

The Ascent of Yelü Abaoji

In 872, during the late Tang Dynasty, Yelü Abaoji was born into the powerful Yila tribe. His early life was marked by tribal strife—his grandfather was assassinated, and his family fled into exile. Raised under his grandmother’s protection, Abaoji displayed extraordinary intellect and physical prowess. Standing nine feet tall with unmatched archery skills, he became a key military leader, holding the title “Tama Yueshali” (equivalent to a Tang military governor’s lieutenant).

By 901, at age 30, Abaoji was elected tribal chieftain (Yilijin) of the Yila. His military campaigns expanded Khitan territory, subjugating the Shiwei, Wuyu, Wugu, and other tribes. In 907, after the Tang Dynasty’s collapse, he seized the Khitan khanship, ending Yaonian rule.

The Foundation of the Liao Dynasty

Abaoji’s reign transformed the Khitan from a tribal confederation into a centralized empire. Key reforms included:
– Administrative Division: Splitting the Yila tribe into five and six branches, later reorganized into Northern and Southern Royal Courts (the latter famously led by the fictional hero Xiao Feng).
– Urbanization: Establishing cities like Longhuazhou for Han Chinese captives, integrating agriculture and craftsmanship.
– Dual Governance: Adopting a “Northern-Southern” system where Khitan traditions ruled the steppes, while Han-style bureaucracy governed settled regions.

In 916, Abaoji declared himself “Great Sacred and Enlightened Emperor,” founding the Khitan Empire (later renamed Liao). His wife, Empress Shulü, played a pivotal role, even leading armies in his absence.

Clashes with the Shatuo Turks and Han Integration

Abaoji’s expansion brought him into conflict with the Shatuo-led Later Tang. In 917, Khitan forces, aided by defector Lu Wenjin, besieged Youzhou (modern Beijing) for 200 days. Though ultimately repelled, the campaign exposed Later Tang’s vulnerabilities. Lu’s defection symbolized broader Han disillusionment with Shatuo rule, as thousands of soldiers and artisans migrated north, enriching Khitan military and cultural institutions.

Legacy: The Khitan’s Enduring Impact

Yelü Abaoji’s empire laid the groundwork for centuries of Khitan dominance, influencing later dynasties like the Mongols and Manchus. His hybrid governance model became a blueprint for ruling multi-ethnic territories. By blending steppe traditions with Han administration, the Khitan carved a unique niche in East Asian history—one that reshaped regional politics long after their decline.

The rise of the Khitan under Abaoji was no accident but a calculated revolution, proving that even marginalized tribes could redefine their destiny under visionary leadership.