Yelü Pusuwan facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Yelü Pusuwan耶律普速完 |
|||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Regent of Western Liao dynasty | |||||||||
| Reign | 1163–1177 | ||||||||
| Predecessor | Yelü Yilie | ||||||||
| Successor | Yelü Zhilugu | ||||||||
| Died | 1177 | ||||||||
| Spouse | Xiao Duolubu (蕭朵魯不) | ||||||||
|
|||||||||
| Father | Yelü Dashi | ||||||||
| Mother | Xiao Tabuyan | ||||||||
Yelü Pusuwan (Chinese: 耶律普速完; pinyin: Yēlǜ Pǔsùwán) was an important leader of the Qara Khitai empire, also known as the Western Liao dynasty. She served as a regent from 1163 to 1177. A regent is someone who rules a country when the true ruler is too young or unable to govern. Yelü Pusuwan took on this role because her nephew, Yelü Zhilugu, was still a child. She was the younger sister of the previous emperor, Yelü Yilie.
Contents
Becoming a Leader
When her older brother, Emperor Yelü Yilie, passed away, his son Yelü Zhilugu was still very young. This meant he couldn't rule the empire by himself. So, Yelü Pusuwan stepped forward to become the regent. She would lead the empire until her nephew was old enough to take over.
Important Events During Her Rule
Supporting Allies and Dealing with Conflict
In 1165, a ruler named Masud II attacked the cities of Balkh and Andkhoy. He did this with support from Yelü Pusuwan. Later, there were more conflicts. The Qara Khitai army fought against Il-Arslan, a powerful ruler, in 1169 and 1172. The Qara Khitai army won these battles.
Il-Arslan died soon after these defeats. His death led to a civil war in his kingdom, called the Khwarazmid realm. His wife, Terken Khatun, wanted her son, Sultan Shah, to be the new ruler. However, another son, Tekish, went to the Qara Khitai empire to ask for help. Around this time, another leader named Mu'ayyid al-Din Ai-Aba sent gifts to Empress Pusuwan.
Helping Tekish Become Ruler
Yelü Pusuwan sent her husband, Xiao Duolubu, with a large army to help Tekish. This army defeated Sultan Shah. On December 11, 1172, Tekish was placed on the throne as the new ruler.
Challenges on the Eastern Border
On the eastern side of the empire, Yelü Pusuwan tried to bring the Naimans and Qanglis people under her control. She sent her general, Erbuz, to do this. However, these efforts were not successful.
Changing Sides and New Conflicts
After some time, Tekish became unhappy with the Qara Khitai empire's demands for tribute. Tribute was like a payment or gift given to a more powerful ruler. Tekish even killed a messenger sent by Pusuwan, who was also her relative. Because of this, Yelü Pusuwan decided to support Sultan Shah instead. Her husband, Xiao Duolubu, was sent again with an army. This time, his mission was to remove Tekish from power, the very person he had helped crown.
The End of Her Reign
Yelü Pusuwan's rule ended in 1177. After her death, her nephew, Yelü Zhilugu, became the new emperor of the Qara Khitai empire.
