Yelü Dashi's Westward Migration and Founding of Western Liao

Name: Yelü Dashi's Westward Migration and Founding of Western Liao
Start: 1124
End: 1132

Type Event Region Central Asia Time 1124–1132

In 1124, Liao royal clansman Yelü Dashi led his followers west across the Gobi, establishing Western Liao (Black Khitan) in former Karakhanid lands a…

Timeline

1124Western edge of the Gobi Desert · GobiAfter the Jin destroyed the Liao, Yelü Dashi refused to submit to the Jin, leading Khitan, Bohai, and other followers westward, crossing the Gobi to seek new footing and avoid Jin military pressure.
1125–1130Kashgar · Southern TianshanYelü Dashi entered the eastern former lands of the Karakhanid Khanate, defeated local powers, and gained control of Kashgar and the Semirechye region, laying a territorial and resource foundation for a new regime.
1132Kush Ordu · SemirechyeYelü Dashi formally proclaimed himself emperor, retaining the state name Liao (known in history as Western Liao or Black Khitan), integrating Central Asia's multi-ethnic society under Khitan institutions, and becoming an important power west of the Jin and east of Khwarazm.

Sources

辽史 — 脱脱等 (1344)
The Empire of the Qara Khitai in Eurasian History — Michal Biran (2005)