Emperor Taizu of Jin (August 1, 1068 – September 19, 1123), personal name Aguda, sinicised name Min (), was the founder and first

emperor An emperor (from la, imperator, via fro, empereor) is a monarch, and usually the sovereign ruler of an empire or another type of imperial realm. Empress, the female equivalent, may indicate an emperor's wife ( empress consort), mother ( ...

of the

Jurchen Jurchen may refer to: * Jurchen people, Tungusic people who inhabited the region of Manchuria until the 17th century ** Haixi Jurchens, a grouping of the Jurchens as identified by the Chinese of the Ming Dynasty ** Jianzhou Jurchens, a grouping of ...

-led Jin dynasty of China. He was originally the chieftain of the

Wanyan The Wanyan (; Manchu: ''Wanggiyan''; Jurchen script: ) clan was among the clans of the Heishui Mohe tribe living in the drainage region of the Heilong River during the time of the Khitan-led Liao dynasty. Of the Heishui Mohe, the clan was coun ...

tribe, the most dominant among the Jurchen tribes which were subjects of the Khitan-led

Liao dynasty The Liao dynasty (; Khitan: ''Mos Jælud''; ), also known as the Khitan Empire (Khitan: ''Mos diau-d kitai huldʒi gur''), officially the Great Liao (), was an imperial dynasty of China that existed between 916 and 1125, ruled by the Yelü ...

. Starting in 1114, Aguda united the Jurchen tribes under his rule and rebelled against the Liao dynasty. A year later, he declared himself emperor and established the Jin dynasty. By the time of his death, the Jin dynasty had conquered most of the Liao dynasty's territories and emerged as a major power in northern China. In 1145, he was posthumously honoured with the

temple name Temple names are posthumous titles accorded to monarchs of the Sinosphere for the purpose of ancestor worship. The practice of honoring monarchs with temple names began during the Shang dynasty in China and had since been adopted by other dyna ...

Taizu by his descendant Emperor Xizong. The name

anyan Kiaps, known formally as district officers and patrol officers, were travelling representatives of the British and Australian governments with wide-ranging authority, in pre-independence Papua New Guinea. Etymology 'Kiap' is a Papua New Guinean ...

Aguda is transcribed an-yenA-ku-ta in Wade-Giles; the alternative spelling Akutta (possibly from reconstruction of

Jurchen language Jurchen language ( zh, t=女真語, p=Nǚzhēn yǔ) was the Tungusic language of the Jurchen people of eastern Manchuria, the rulers of the Jin dynasty in northern China of the 12th and 13th centuries. It is ancestral to the Manchu language. ...

) appears in a very small number of books as well.

Life

Aguda was an eighth-generation descendant of

Hanpu Hanpu (), later Wanyan Hanpu (), was a leader of the Jurchen Wanyan clan in the early tenth century. According to the ancestral story of the Wanyan clan, Hanpu came from Goryeo when he was sixty years old, reformed Jurchen customary law, and then ...

, the great progenitor of the entire

clan. His father was

Helibo Horimbo (1039—1092)Tao (1976), p.17 was a chieftain of the Wanyan tribe, the most dominant among the Jurchen tribes which later founded the Jin dynasty (1115–1234). He was the second son of Ukunai. Like his grandfather, Šilu, Horimbo was a ...

, the chieftain of the

clan. His mother was a daughter of the chieftain of the Nalan () tribe. He was born in 1068 near the

Ashi River The Ashi River is a right tributary of the Songhua in eastern Manchuria,. in Harbin's Acheng District in the People's Republic of China. Name The river has borne the name "Ashi" since the Qing (17th–20th century). Before that, it was known as t ...

within present-day

Harbin Harbin (; mnc, , v=Halbin; ) is a sub-provincial city and the provincial capital and the largest city of Heilongjiang province, People's Republic of China, as well as the second largest city by urban population after Shenyang and largest c ...

Heilongjiang Province Heilongjiang () formerly romanized as Heilungkiang, is a province in northeast China. The standard one-character abbreviation for the province is (). It was formerly romanized as "Heilungkiang". It is the northernmost and easternmost provinc ...

. He was well-known within his tribe for his bravery, and had participated in numerous campaigns against rival Jurchen tribes at the command of the Khitan-led

. In 1109, during the height of a widespread famine, Aguda assisted his father in absorbing famished warriors from other Jurchen tribes to strengthen his own tribe. Later, he fought wars against other Jurchen tribes and succeeded in unifying all Jurchens under the Wanyan tribe's leadership. In 1113, Aguda succeeded his elder brother, Wuyashu, as the leader of his tribe. Like other Jurchens, Aguda loathed what he considered the exploitation of his tribesmen by corrupt Liao officials. In 1112, when the Liao ruler,

Emperor Tianzuo Emperor Tianzuo of Liao (5 June 1075 – 1128 or 1156), personal name Yelü Yanxi, courtesy name Yanning, was the ninth and last emperor of the Khitan-led Liao dynasty of China. He succeeded his grandfather, Emperor Daozong, in 1101 and reigne ...

, went on a fishing expedition in Jurchen territory, he ordered all the chieftains to dance for him. Aguda became famous among the Jurchens when he was the only person who defied the order. In early 1114, Aguda sent spies into Liao territory and prepared to revolt against the Khitan regime, which he considered decadent. His chief advisors were Wanyan Zonghan and

Wanyan Xiyin The Wanyan (; Manchu: ''Wanggiyan''; Jurchen script: ) clan was among the clans of the Heishui Mohe tribe living in the drainage region of the Heilong River during the time of the Khitan-led Liao dynasty. Of the Heishui Mohe, the clan was coun ...

.Franke 1997(I), p. 154 In September, Aguda rallied his tribesmen (around 2,500 men) at Liushui (流水; near present-day Lalin River in Fuyu,

Jilin Province Jilin (; alternately romanized as Kirin or Chilin) is one of the three provinces of Northeast China. Its capital and largest city is Changchun. Jilin borders North Korea ( Rasŏn, North Hamgyong, Ryanggang and Chagang) and Russia (Prim ...

) and openly rebelled against the Liao dynasty. His cavalry captured Ningjiangzhou (寧江州; present-day Fuyu, Jilin Province) and defeated a 7,000-strong Liao army at the

Battle of Chuhedian A battle is an occurrence of combat in warfare between opposing military units of any number or size. A war usually consists of multiple battles. In general, a battle is a military engagement that is well defined in duration, area, and force ...

in November. In January 1115, following a series of military successes, Aguda proclaimed himself emperor, established the Jin dynasty, and adopted the

regnal name A regnal name, or regnant name or reign name, is the name used by monarchs and popes during their reigns and, subsequently, historically. Since ancient times, some monarchs have chosen to use a different name from their original name when they ...

"Shouguo" (). In August, his army conquered Huanglong Prefecture (黄龍府; present-day

Nong'an County Nong'an County () is a county of Jilin Province, Northeast China, it is under the administration of the prefecture-level city of Changchun, the capital of Jilin. The westernmost county-level division of Changchun City, it borders Dehui to the e ...

, Jilin Province) and defeated 700,000 Liao troops with only 20,000 horsemen at the

Battle of Hubudagang A battle is an occurrence of combat in warfare between opposing military units of any number or size. A war usually consists of multiple battles. In general, a battle is a military engagement that is well defined in duration, area, and force ...

. By 1116, Aguda had completed the conquest of the entire

Liaodong Peninsula The Liaodong Peninsula (also Liaotung Peninsula, ) is a peninsula in southern Liaoning province in Northeast China, and makes up the southwestern coastal half of the Liaodong region. It is located between the mouths of the Daliao River ...

. Between 1119 and 1122, his army repeatedly defeated Liao forces and captured all of the Liao dynasty's five capitals. Since the Jin dynasty was an enemy of the Liao dynasty, the

Han Chinese The Han Chinese () or Han people (), are an East Asian ethnic group native to China. They constitute the world's largest ethnic group, making up about 18% of the global population and consisting of various subgroups speaking distinctive v ...

-led

Northern Song dynasty Northern may refer to the following: Geography * North, a point in direction * Northern Europe, the northern part or region of Europe * Northern Highland, a region of Wisconsin, United States * Northern Province, Sri Lanka * Northern Range, a ...

considered the Jin dynasty to be their natural allies. In 1117, the Song dynasty sent emissaries to the Jin dynasty, ostensibly to buy horses, but in reality to negotiate an alliance against the Liao dynasty.CHT, pp.224–226 Between 1117 and 1123, seven Song delegations visited the Jurchens, and six Jin embassies went to the Song capital, Bianjing (present-day

Kaifeng Kaifeng () is a prefecture-level city in east-central Henan province, China. It is one of the Eight Ancient Capitals of China, having been the capital eight times in history, and is best known for having been the Chinese capital during the Nort ...

Henan Province Henan (; or ; ; alternatively Honan) is a landlocked province of China, in the central part of the country. Henan is often referred to as Zhongyuan or Zhongzhou (), which literally means "central plain" or "midland", although the name is al ...

). Between 1115 and 1123, the Jin and Song dynasties negotiated and formed the

Alliance Conducted at Sea The Alliance Conducted at Sea () was a political alliance in Chinese history between the Song and Jin dynasties in the early 12th century against the Liao dynasty. The alliance was negotiated from 1115 to 1123 by envoys who crossed the Bohai Sea.. ...

against the Liao dynasty. Under the conditions of the alliance, the Song dynasty would attack the Liao dynasty from the south, while in return, the Jin dynasty would hand over control of the Liao dynasty's

Sixteen Prefectures The Sixteen Prefectures () comprise a historical region in northern China along the Great Wall in present-day Beijing, Tianjin, and northern Hebei and Shanxi. Name It is more specifically called the Sixteen Prefectures of Yan and Yun or the Si ...

to the Song dynasty. During the war against the Liao dynasty, Aguda also took time to establish the new feudal governmental system based on Jurchen tribal customs. He also organised the national agriculture with a collectivist system known as the ''Miŋgan Moumukə'' (). Furthermore, Aguda absorbed elements of Han Chinese culture and ordered his chancellor

to develop a unique Jurchen writing system. Aguda died in August 1123, at the age of 56. His death came a few months after the Jin and Song dynasties signed a treaty which recognised each other as equals and required the Song to pay the Jin an annual tribute of 200,000

tael Tael (),"Tael" entry
at the ...

s of silver and 300,000 bolts of silk. Aguda was succeeded by his younger brother, Wuqimai (Emperor Taizong). Wuqimai continued the campaign against the Liao dynasty and captured the Liao emperor,

in 1125, thereby ending the Liao dynasty's existence. Soon after conquering the Liao dynasty, the Jin dynasty waged war against the Northern Song dynasty. Aguda was buried in the Rui Mausoleum () at Dafangshan () outside Zhongdu (中都; present-day

Beijing } Beijing ( ; ; ), Chinese postal romanization, alternatively romanized as Peking ( ), is the Capital city, capital of the China, People's Republic of China. It is the center of power and development of the country. Beijing is the world's Li ...

Commemoration

Mounted statues of Aguda and his chief commander, Wanyan Zonghan, have been erected on the grounds of the Jin Dynasty History Museum () at the former location of the old Jin capital, Shangjing (), which is near present-day Acheng District,

Family

Parents: * Father:

, posthumously honoured as Emperor Shizu * Mother: Lady Nalan (), posthumously honoured as Empress Yijian () Consort and issue(s): *Empress Shengmu, of Tangkuo clan (聖穆皇后唐括氏) **

Wanyan Zongjun Wanyan Zongjun (完顏宗峻), also known by his Jurchen name Shengguo (繩果), was an imperial prince of the Jurchen-led Jin dynasty. He was the second or third son of Emperor Taizu with his first empress, Empress Shengmu. There is no record ...

, Emperor Huizong (徽宗完顏宗峻), 2nd or 3rd son **Wanyan Zongchao, Prince of Feng (豐王完顏宗朝), 7th son **Wanyan Zongjie, Prince of Zhao (趙王完顏宗傑, d. 1127) *Empress Guangyi, of the Peiman clan (光懿皇后裴滿氏) **

Wanyan Zonggan Wanyan Zonggan (完顏宗幹; died 1141), personal name Woben, formally known as Prince of Liao (遼王), was an imperial prince of the Jurchen Jurchen may refer to: * Jurchen people, Tungusic people who inhabited the region of Manchuria until th ...

, Prince of Liao (遼王完顏宗幹, d. 17 June 1141),Father of

Wanyan Liang Digunai (24 February 1122 – 15 December 1161), also known by his sinicised name Wanyan Liang (完顏亮) and his formal title Prince of Hailing (海陵王, ''Hǎilíng Wáng''), was the fourth emperor of the Jurchen-led Jin dynasty of China. H ...

who came to power in 1150 after overthrowing and murdering his predecessor, Emperor Xizong, in a coup d'état. 1st son *Empress Qinxian, of the Heseri clan (欽憲皇后紇石烈氏) **

Wanyan Zongwang The Wanyan (; Manchu: ''Wanggiyan''; Jurchen script: ) clan was among the clans of the Heishui Mohe tribe living in the drainage region of the Heilong River during the time of the Khitan-led Liao dynasty. Of the Heishui Mohe, the clan was count ...

, Prince Huansu of Song (宋桓肅王完顏宗望), 2nd son **Wanyan Zongjun, Prince of Chen (陳王完顏宗雋), 6th son **Wanyan Elu, Prince of Shen (瀋王完顏訛魯) *Empress Xuanxian of the Pusan clan (宣獻皇后僕散氏) **

Wanyan Zongyao The Wanyan (; Manchu: ''Wanggiyan''; Jurchen script: ) clan was among the clans of the Heishui Mohe tribe living in the drainage region of the Heilong River during the time of the Khitan-led Liao dynasty. Of the Heishui Mohe, the clan was coun ...

, Emperor Ruizong (睿宗完顏宗堯, 1096 – 1135), 5th son ** Wanyan Eluduo, Prince of Bin (豳王完顏訛魯朵) *First Consort, of the Wugulun clan (元妃烏古論氏) ** Wanyan Zongbi, Prince of Liang (梁王完顏宗弼, d. 19 November 1148), 4th son **

Wanyan Zongqiang The Wanyan (; Manchu language, Manchu: ''Wanggiyan''; Jurchen script: ) clan was among the clans of the Heishui Mohe tribe living in the drainage region of the Heilong River during the time of the Khitan people, Khitan-led Liao dynasty. Of the H ...

, Prince of Wei (衛王完顏宗強, d. 1142), 8th son ** Wanyan Zongmin, Prince of Shu (蜀王完顏宗敏, d. 1150), 9th son *Consort Chong, of the Xiao clan (崇妃蕭氏, d. 20 September 1150) ** Wanyan Xinilie, Prince of Ji (紀王完顏習泥烈) ** Wanyan Ningji, Prince of Xi (息王完顏寧吉) ** Wanyan Yansun, Prince of Ju (莒王完顏燕孫) *Lady Dunuke (獨奴可) - a slave **Wanyan Wohu, Prince of Ye (鄴王完顏斡忽) *Unknown: **Wanyan Wulu (完颜兀魯), 1st daughter ***Married Tushan Dingge (徒單定哥) ***Married Tushan Gong (徒單恭) **Princess of Bi (畢國公主), 2nd daughter ***Married Wugulun Elun (烏古論訛論) and had issue (one son) **Unknown princess, 3rd daughter ***married Pucha Shijianu (蒲察石家奴; Aguda's maternal nephew)

References

Citations

Sources

* Herbert Franke, 1997 (I): "Chinese Texts on the Jurchen (I): a Translation of the Jurchen in the ''San ch'ao pei-meng hui-pien''. Originally published in ''Zantralasiatische Studien 9''. Wiesbaden, 1975. Reprinted in: Herbert Franke and Hok-lam Chan, "Studies on the Jurchens and the Chin Dynasty", Variorum Collected Series Studies: CS591, Ashgate, 1997. . (The work whose name is transcribed in Wade-Giles as ''San ch'ao pei-meng hui-pien'' is

Xu Mengxin Xu or XU may refer to: People and characters * Xu (surname), one of two Chinese surnames ( or /), transliterated as Xu in English * ǃXu, a name for the ǃKung group of Bushmen; may also refer to the ǃKung language or the ǃKung people * ǃXu ...

's ( 徐夢莘) "Collected Accounts of the Treaties with the North under Three Reigns" ( 三朝北盟会编, pinyin: ''San chao beimeng huibian''). Franke translates and comments on Chapter 3 of this collection, which deals with the history and customs of the Jurchen people). * * Jing-shen Tao, ''The Jurchen in Twelfth-Century China''. University of Washington Press, 1976, . * Guy Gavriel Kay, ''River of Stars'' is set in a fictionalized Liao China during the Jurchen invasion. , - {{DEFAULTSORT:Taizu, Jin 1068 births 1123 deaths Politicians from Harbin Jurchen history Jin dynasty (1115–1234) emperors 12th-century Chinese monarchs Founding monarchs Liao dynasty rebels