History of Liao facts for kids

The History of Liao, also called Liao Shi, is a very old Chinese history book. It was put together by the Mongol-led Yuan dynasty (1271–1368). A historian named Toqto'a (Tuotuo) led the project. The book was finished in 1344.

This important book tells us about the Khitan people. It describes their tribal life and traditions. It also covers the official history of the Liao dynasty. This dynasty ruled parts of China and Mongolia from 916 to 1125. The book also includes information about the Western Liao dynasty, which continued after the main Liao dynasty fell.

Where Did the History of Liao Come From?

A Khitan man playing a string instrument.

The History of Liao was created in 1344. It used many older writings and records. These sources helped historians put together the story of the Liao dynasty.

Here are some of the main sources they used:

• The Shilu (Veritable Records): This was a detailed record made during the Liao dynasty itself. It was finished by Yelü Yan. Sadly, this original record no longer exists today.
• A draft Liao Shi: This was another early version of the history. It was started during the Jin dynasty by Chen Daren. This draft was never published and is also lost now.
• Other important books: Historians also looked at books like the Zizhi Tongjian (from the 1080s). They used the Qidan Guo Zhi and other descriptions of the Khitan people. These were found in earlier official Chinese history books.

The Liao Shi is a very long book. It has 116 separate parts, called volumes. These volumes cover different topics:

• 30 volumes are about the lives of the emperors.
• 32 volumes describe how the government and institutions worked.
• 8 volumes contain helpful tables, like family trees.
• 48 volumes tell the stories of important people and events.
• 1 volume is a special dictionary. It explains words from the Khitan language. These words are written using Chinese characters. You can find this dictionary in Chapter 116 here.

How the Book Was Made and Its Accuracy

When the History of Liao was being planned, there was a big debate. Many Chinese scholars felt that the Liao dynasty, which was not Han Chinese, should not have its own official history. They thought the Liao history should just be a small part of the Song history. The Song dynasty was Han Chinese.

This disagreement was part of a larger argument. Chinese political ideas said that only one dynasty could be truly legitimate at a time. But the Mongols, who ruled at the time, had different beliefs. Because of this argument, the Liao Shi was not put together right away. The histories of the Jin and Song dynasties were also delayed.

Finally, in 1343–1344, a leader named Toqto'a restarted the project. He was more open to Chinese ideas. The final book agreed with the Mongol view. It treated the Liao, Jin, and Song as equally legitimate dynasties.

The Liao Shi was finished very quickly, in just one year. Because it was rushed, it has some small mistakes. There are technical errors and sometimes things are not very precise. Also, the way non-Chinese names are written can be inconsistent. Despite these small issues, the Liao Shi is still very valuable.

Famous scholars like Qian Daxin and Zhao Yi later pointed out these small problems. They wrote about them in their own books.

Even with its flaws, the Liao Shi gives us a lot of information. It teaches us about the Khitan empire's tribal politics and traditions. Since the earlier Shilu and Chen Daren's Liao Shi are lost, Toqto'a's Liao Shi is the only complete historical record we have of the Liao dynasty written in the Chinese style.

Different Versions of the Book

Over time, people have worked to organize and correct the History of Liao. There have been several different versions, or "editions." Some of these include the Qianlong edition and the Baina edition.

Today, the most commonly used version is published by Zhonghua Shuju Press. This edition was put together by experts in Khitan studies. These experts include Feng Jiasheng and Chen Shu. Their version is based on the Baina edition. It also uses information from many other historical books. These include the Cefu Yuangui, Zizhi Tongjian, and histories of the Tang, Wudai, Song, and Jin dynasties.

The History of Liao was also translated into the Manchu language. This translation helped people who spoke Manchu learn about the Liao dynasty.

The Qianlong Emperor of the Qing dynasty made a mistake. He thought the Khitan people and their language were the same as the Solons. Because of this, he tried to "correct" the Khitan names in the History of Liao using the Solon language. He did this as part of a big project.

However, Qianlong's "corrections" actually made things worse. They added more errors to the names. One historian, Marshall Broomhall, said that these corrected editions were "practically useless." Another scholar, Emil Bretschneider, showed that Qianlong's explanations for the words were wrong.

What's Inside the History of Liao?

The History of Liao is organized into different sections, each covering specific topics.

Imperial Annals: The Emperors' Stories

Volumes 1 to 30 tell the stories of the Liao emperors. They start with the founder, Abaoji (Taizu), in volumes 1 and 2. Volume 30 is special. It covers Yelü Dashi, who fled after the Liao dynasty fell. He then started a new state called Qara Khitai, also known as the Western Liao. This volume is a very important source for learning about the Qara Khitai.

Treatises: How Things Worked

Volumes 31 to 62 are called "treatises." These sections explain how the Liao government and society were organized. For example, volumes 37 to 41 describe the administrative divisions of the Liao empire. This section is called "Geography." It explains the five main regions of the empire. Volumes 45 to 48 describe the different official jobs and roles in the government.

Tables: Important Lists

Volumes 63 to 70 contain useful tables. Volume 63 shows the family tree of the ruling Yelü clan. It also lists other important clans. Volume 69 lists the different tribes that were part of the empire. Volume 70 lists the vassal states, which were smaller states under Liao control.

Biographies: Stories of Key People

The Biographies section tells the stories of important people. For example, volume 74 includes Han Yanhui, a Liao chancellor of Han Chinese background. Volume 76 features Zhao Yanshou, a general who served both the Later Tang and Liao dynasties. Volume 81 tells about Wang Jizhong, who helped create the important Chanyuan Treaty in 1004–1005.

The Legacy of the Liao Dynasty

Even after the History of Liao was finished, people kept debating its importance. The argument was about whether the Liao dynasty was a truly legitimate ruling power.

Around the time the book was published, a scholar named Yang Weizhen argued that only the Song dynasty was legitimate. He believed the Liao and Jin dynasties were "usurpers," meaning they took power unfairly. He wrote an essay to explain his views.

Later, a Ming scholar named Wang Zhu wrote a different history of the Song dynasty. In his book, he treated the Liao and Jin states as foreign groups, not as legitimate dynasties. However, other scholars criticized Wang Zhu's book. They felt he was purposely changing history. Another Ming scholar, Shao Jingbang, also saw the Liao and Jin as foreign usurpers in his book.