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Tang Cavalry System

Type Object Region China Time 618–700

Tang armies made cavalry a mainstay of field warfare, combining Central Plains archery traditions with Turkic and Tuyuhun mounted techniques into lig…

Timeline

  1. 618–630Guanzhong and Taiyuan · ChinaAfter the Tang dynasty's establishment, cavalry from the Guanzhong and Taiyuan uprising forces were consolidated, and surrendered northern horsemen were absorbed; cavalry outflanking and pursuing routed enemies in the wars of unification established the Tang cavalry tradition.
  2. 630–660South of the Mongolian steppe and Hexi · NorthDuring the Zhenguan era the Tang destroyed the Eastern Turkic Khaganate; Tang cavalry became renowned for light cavalry harassment, heavy cavalry charges, and coordinated infantry-cavalry tactics. Li Jing and others combined cavalry warfare with intelligence and logistics to create systematic field capability.
  3. 660–700Capital guards and regional cavalry commands · ChinaBy the late 7th century the Tang maintained substantial standing cavalry in the imperial guards and regional marching commands, with mixed barbarian-Chinese cavalry formations the norm, supporting frontier defense pressure against the Tibetan Empire, Turkic remnants, and the Western Regions.

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