The Empire of the Qara Khitai in Eurasian History: Between China and the Islamic World

Description

The empire of the Qara Khitai, which was one of the least known and most fascinating dynasties in the history of Central Asia, existed for nearly a century before it was conquered by the Mongols in 1218. Arriving in Central Asia from China, the Qara Khitai ruled over a mostly Muslim population. Their history affords a unique window onto the extensive cross-cultural contacts between China, Inner Asian nomads and the Muslim world in the period preceding the rise of Chinggis Khan. Using an extensive corpus of Muslim and Chinese sources, Michal Biran comprehensively examines the political, institutional and cultural histories of the Qara Khitai. Her book explores a range of topics including the organization of the army, the position of women, the image of China in Muslim Central Asia,the religions of the Qara Khitai and the legacy they left for the Mongols. Crucially she asks why they did not, unlike their predecessors and successors in Central Asia, embrace Islam. The book represents a groundbreaking contribution to the field of Eurasian history for students of the Islamic world, China and Central Asia.

Michal Biran is Lecturer at the Institute of Asian and African Studies at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Her previous publications include Qaidu and the Rise of the Independent Mongol State in Central Asia (1997) and Mongols, Turks and Others: Eurasian Nomads and the Sedentary World (2005; co-edited with Reuven Amitai).

From the hardback review: 'Though the Qara Khitai or Western Liao have attracted a certain amount of research over the years, it is a great pleasure to welcome the first monograph in English devoted entirely to their history and culture. ... impressive ... this volume is surely bound to remain a key work on the Western Liao for many years to come. ... a major step forward in a number of ways, and will undoubtedly be recognized as such in the years to come.' Bulletin of the School of Oriental and African Studies From the hardback review: '... an important and lasting contribution to our knowledge of the Mongol empire, and deserves a place in every Mongolist's and medievalist's library. After reading this book, both specialists and non-specialists will come to a greater and sharper appreciation of the place of the history of currency on the broad canvas of the Mongol conquest. Both Brian's and Kolbas's books are a fine testimony to the vitality and maturity of Inner Asian studies.' The Journal of JRAS 'This book on the Qara-Khitai, or Western Liao, is a major work that fills a gap in our knowledge of this important Central Asian dynasty.' Central Eurasian Reader