No one person is responsible for the establishment and consolidation of the Liao Dynasty. The one person many scholars point to, however, is the great Yelu Abaoji (耶律阿保机), who was the founder of the Liao Dynasty and ruled from 907 to 926.
Yelu Abaoji was born in 872 as the son of a Khitan tribal leader and would later be known as the Emperor Taizu of Liao, the first emperor of the dynasty. He was a brilliant and cunning strategist known for his militancy, and he was the one who led the Khitan tribes to independence from their overlords, the Chinese Tang Dynasty.
In 907, Yelu Abaoji and his army of Khitans successfully overthrew the Tang Dynasty, establishing the Liao Dynasty as an independent nation. After taking the throne, he quickly expanded the nations borders and strengthened its military forces. With an iron fist, Yelu Abaoji unified the Khitans and quelled any potential rebellions, thus solidifying the Liao Dynastys place in the region.
Over the years, Yelu Abaoji implemented several reforms and became known as a wise and fair ruler. He established a new civil administration system, created new government offices, and adopted the Chinese Tang imperial system as the framework of the Liao Dynasty. He also encouraged trade and commerce, as well as the exploration of new territories. In addition, Yelu Abaoji strongly protected the rights of both his people and those of the newly conquered territories, creating a highly respected and admired nation.
Sadly, Yelu Abaoji died in 926 and his son Xiao Daolian succeeded him as the next emperor. Nonetheless, the Liao Dynasty lived on and would be remembered as a powerful empire that wielded great influence in the region.
It is clear that Yelu Abaoji played an integral role in the creation of the Liao Dynasty, and his legacy still impacts the region today. His legacy has been commemorated in numerous works of art, and his name will forever be remembered in history as the great Liao Dynasty founder.
