The Tangut Empire (Chinese: 西夏; Pinyin: Xī Xià; literally "Western Xia") was a state that existed from 1032 up to 1227 in what are now the northwestern Chinese provinces of Gansu, Shaanxi, and Ningxia. It was established in the 11th century by Tangut tribes who spoke Tangut. Occupying the area along the trade route between Central Asia and the West, the Tangut were neighbors to Northern China, controlled by Song China and, later on, the Jurchen Empire.
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The Tanguts remained loyal to the Tang during the revolt of Huang Chao, but established de-facto independence when Tang fell in 906. They retained their de-facto independence throughout the Five Dynasties period. During this period, their chieftain had the title of Dingnan Jiedushi and nominally remained under the Five Dynasties. Emperor Mingzong of Later Tang made an unsuccessful attempt to conquer Dingnan in 932 after believing incorrectly that Dingnan was about to enter an alliance with Liao.
The foundation of a Tangut state as such goes back to the year 982 under Li Deming (李德明). However, it would not be until 1038 that the Tangut chieftain Li Yuanhao (李元昊), Li Deming's son, who also ordered the creation of a Tangut writing system and the translation of Chinese classics into Tangut, named himself emperor, and demanded of Song emperor the recognition as an equal. The Song court accepted the recognition of Li Yuanhao as 'governor', but not like 'emperor', that title considered exclusive to the Song emperor. After intense diplomatic contacts, in 1043 the Tangut state accepted the recognition of the Song emperor as emperor in exchange for an annual tribute, which supposed a tacit recognition on the part of the Song of the military power of Tangut.
In 1207 Li An-ch'uan submitted to the Mongols, and gave his daughter to Činggis Qaɣan (commonly known as Genghis Khan) in marriage. Li An-ch'uan abdicated, and then died, in 1211.
The Mongols asked their allies and tributaries for military aid in the campaign against the Islamic countries, although the Tangut emperor Li Zunxu was willing, his court and in particular his general Aša-gambu recommended against it. When Činggis Qaɣan returned from his campaign the new emperor Li Dewang pled with him, but the general Aša-gambu challenged Činggis. The emperor Dewang died during the fighting and was succeeded by Li Xian, the last of the Tangut rulers. Li Xian sued for peace, which was accepted, but he was then executed by Tolui the son of Činggis, and the Tangut state was fully incorporated into Mongolian administration. (cf. Kwanten 1974)
| Temple Name \ | Posthumous name \ | Personal Name \ | Reign Dates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jǐngzōng 景宗 | Wǔlièdì 武烈帝 | Lǐ Yuánhào 李元昊 | 1032-1048 |
| Yìzōng 毅宗 | Zhāoyīngdì 昭英帝 | Lǐ Liàngzuò 李諒祚 | 1048-1067 |
| Huìzōng 惠宗 | Kāngjìngdì 康靖帝 | Lǐ Bǐngcháng 李秉常 | 1067-1086 |
| Chóngzōng 崇宗 | Shèngwéndì 聖文帝 | Lǐ Qiánshùn 李乾順 | 1086-1139 |
| Rénzōng 仁宗 | Shèngzhēndì 聖禎帝 | Lǐ Rénxiào 李仁孝 | 1139-1193 |
| Huánzōng 桓宗 | Zhāojiǎnjì 昭簡帝 | Lǐ Chúnyòu 李純佑 | 1193-1211 |
| Shénzōng 神宗 | Yīngwéndì 英文帝 | Lǐ Zūnxū 李遵頊 | 1211--1223 |
| Xiànzōng 獻宗 | none | Lǐ Déwàng 李德旺 | 1223--1226 |
| Mòzhǔ 末主 | none | Lǐ Xiàn 李晛 | 1226-1227 |