Emperor Chongzong of Western Xia
Emperor Chongzong 崇宗 (1084–1139), born Li Qianshun 李乾順1, was the 4th emperor of the Western Xia (reigned 1086–1139).2 His reign began at the age of three, when his father Li Bingchang died. He remained under the regency of the Dowager Empress Madame Liang3 until she was poisoned in 1099 by a Liao envoy.
Li's reign included further sinification and removed the power of some significant Tangut clans, which had remained a powerful political force—appointing tribal leaders as kings, forcing them under his power and influence. His reign saw incursions by the surrounding Liao- and Song-ruled nations, and a series of military defeats from 1114. He established Confucianist-led administration for several political quarters including civil and military, centralising his power. Buddhism was prevalent during his reign, and the scriptures were translated to the Tangut language.
His era names were:
- Tiānyízhìpíng (天儀治平) 1086–1089
- Tiānyòumín'ān (天祐民安) 1090–1097
- Yǒng'ān (永安) 1098–1100
- Zhēnguān (貞觀) 1101–1113
- Yōngníng (雍寧) 1114–1118
- Yuándé (元德) 1119–1127
- Zhèngdé (正德) 1127–1134
- Dàdé (大德) 1135–1139
| Regnal titles | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Emperor Huìzōng |
Emperor of the Western Xia Dynasty 1086–1139 |
Succeeded by Emperor Rénzōng |
Notes
- ^ Note 1: Names in Chinese characters are from chinaknowledge.de
- ^ Note 2: Reign dates are from uglychinese.org
- ^ Note 3: There were two dowagers of Tangut emperors named Empress Liang, the other was over Emperor Huizong of Western Xia, see Ksenia Kepping, The famous Liangzhou bilingual stele.
References
"Tangut roots and Chinese habits". Western Xia Dynasty. Chinaknowledge. Retrieved 2 April 2005. "Liao, Xi Xia, and Jin Dynasties 907-1234". China 7 BC To 1279. Retrieved 2 April 2005.