Khitan Mounted Archery Military System

Timeline

1. c. 850–907Xar Moron River basin · Northern ChinaKhitan tribes lived by hunting on horseback; light cavalry excelled at flanking raids, heavy cavalry at breaking formations, and mounted archery skill and horse breeding formed the foundation of their military advantage.
2. c. 907–947Supreme Capital, Linhuang Prefecture · Northern ChinaAfter founding the state, Abaoji established palace guard cavalry and the Pishi Army as direct-command forces, integrating the cavalry of the Xi, Shiwei, and other tribes into a standing iron cavalry core commanded directly by the khagan.
3. c. 936–960Sixteen Prefectures of Yan and Yun · Northern ChinaAfter obtaining the Sixteen Prefectures of Yan and Yun, Khitan cavalry could raid south at close range; light cavalry harassment and heavy cavalry charges coordinated with Han infantry in siege warfare, repeatedly defeating Five Dynasties armies and establishing strategic superiority over the Central Plains.
4. c. 960–1000Hebei border · Northern ChinaIn the early Northern Song, Liao forces still invaded south with large-scale cavalry; Youzhou cavalry combined with nabao mobilization forced the Song court to strengthen the Imperial Army and the Hebei defensive line, creating a long-term standoff between the two sides' cavalry.