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Yelü Zhilugu

Type Figure Region Central Asia Time c. 1124–1213 Also known as Zhilugu、Last emperor of Western Liao

Yelü Zhilugu, last emperor of Western Liao (Qara Khitai), reigned from c. 1178 over Semirechye and the Tian Shan regions, was deposed and imprisoned …

Timeline

  1. 1124–1170Western Liao capital Husi (Balagun) · SemirechyeA descendant of Yelü Dashi, Zhilugu grew up in the Western Liao capital, absorbing Khitan and Central Asian cultures; in his youth others ruled as regents, and Zhilugu as legal heir awaited accession at court.
  2. 1171–1180Western Liao capital · Western LiaoFrom 1171 to 1177 his sister Yelü Pusuwan ruled as empress dowager, with Zhilugu not yet handling government; around 1178 Pusuwan was killed in a scandal and Zhilugu formally acceded as emperor, nominal supreme ruler of Western Liao over a vast Central Asian realm.
  3. 1181–1213Western Liao realm · Western LiaoThroughout his reign Western Liao suffered internal strife and decline; in 1204 Naiman prince Kuchlug fled west and married Zhilugu's daughter, in 1211 Kuchlug staged a coup deposing and imprisoning him, and Zhilugu soon died, leaving Western Liao a state in name only.

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