Chapter 3 Section 2 Islam in the Harakhan Dynasty and Western Liao Dynasty

From the middle of the 9th century to the beginning of the 12th century, there existed a local dynasty of ethnic minorities known as the "Hara Khanate" in western China.In its heyday, its territory included most of what is now Xinjiang, China, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and parts of Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan.The nobles of the Harakhan Dynasty were the nobles of the Uighur Khanate who moved westward.In the fourth year of Tang Kaicheng (839 A.D.), the Uighur Khanate collapsed.Pang Teqin led 15 "Xi Benge Luolu" (the nomadic land is in the west of Jinshan, Hunan in Balkhash).This is Congling West Uighur.Soon, they turned against customers, overwhelmed Ge Luolu's tribe, and established the "Hara Khan Dynasty".Chinese historical records call it the "Black Khan" or "Black Han" dynasty. "Hala" means "black".The ancestor of the Harakhan Dynasty was Vijaque Kadir Khan.He is most likely Pang Teqin.In the early stage, the capital was established in Balasagun (near Tokmak City in Kyrgyzstan today).During the reign of Sutuk (died 955 AD), the political center of the dynasty was moved to Kashgar.

The religions of the Uyghurs are Shamanism and Manichaeism, and most of the subjects of the Harahan Dynasty believed in Islam after the rulers of the Harahan Dynasty converted.The earliest converted ruler was Sutuk Bugla Khan (Max Khan).He reigned for 45 years and was buried in Artush after his death. His mausoleum still exists today.This is the Sultan Sutuk Mazar (mausoleum).After Sutuk's death, his eldest son Musa Abdul Kerim succeeded to the throne in Kashgar, called Arslan Khan (Lion Khan).In 960 AD, 200,000 Turks converted to Islam.In this year Musa announced that Islam was the state religion of the Khala Khan dynasty.

As we all know, the Western Regions is the second hometown of Buddhism.After the Islamization of the Harakhan Dynasty, Khotan became the frontier of the confrontation between the two religions (and the culture with the background of religion).Who wins and who loses is not only related to the historical development of this area, but also related to the direction of the spiritual life of the people in this area.Around the second year of Song Dazhong Xiangfu (AD 1009), Khotan was conquered by the Harakhan Dynasty and gradually converted to Islam.After the conquest of Khotan, the religious map of this land in western China changed.At the southern foot of the Tianshan Mountains, Islam continued to advance eastward along the southern edge of the Tarim Basin; on the northern edge of the Tarim Basin, the Islamization of Aksu, Kuqa and other places was completed at the latest in the late Harakhan Dynasty.At the northern foot of Tianshan Mountain, at the beginning of the 13th century, the world of Buddhism was to the east of Changji, and the world of Islam to the west.

The Harahan dynasty built many mosques and schools.The Great Mosque built by Muhammad Arslan Khan in Samarkand in 1121 is very famous.It is characterized by tall arches, central vaults, and towering round towers, and is a typical representative of the temple architecture of the Harakhan Dynasty.In addition, there is the Bukhara Mosque built in 1119 and the Kaliang Mosque built in 1127.Most of the mosques built in this period have a central vault and an inner courtyard with a wooden column corridor.The Harak Medinas Institute of Scripture in Kashgar is the highest institution of the Harakhan Dynasty, consisting of a square courtyard.The ruins are still well preserved.It was built by Musa, the son of Sutuk.The construction of "Maza" in the Harahan Dynasty began in Sutuk.In the town of Upal, Kashgar, there is a maza of Mahmud Kashgari, a famous scholar of the Harakhan Dynasty and the author of the "Turkic Dictionary".The Maza of Yusuf, a famous writer of the Harakhan Dynasty and the author of "Fu Le Wisdom", is also in Kashgar.In Kuqa there is the Mazar of Murana Eshdin.It is said that this person came to Kuqa to preach in the early 13th century.

Yelu Dashi, the royal family of the Liao Dynasty, began to conquer the west when the Liao Kingdom fell. In 1124, he proclaimed himself emperor in Qierman (near Bukhara, Uzbekistan), and later made Husi Orer (Balashagun) his capital.The dynasty established by Yelu Dashi has always been regarded by historians as the continuation of the imperial lineage of the Khitan Liao Kingdom, so it is called "Xiliao".Non-Chinese historical records call it "Hala Khitan".The territory under the jurisdiction of Xiliao includes the territory of the entire Harakhan Dynasty. The religions in Xiliao mainly include Islam, Buddhism and Nestorianism (a sect of Christianity).Muslims are the most numerous, occupying the widest area and having the greatest influence.Unlike the nobles of the Harakhan Dynasty, the Xiliao royal family has never converted to Islam and is a Buddhist believer.When Yelu Dashi conquered the area south of the Tarim Basin, he destroyed some mosques and forced Muslims to convert.But soon the rulers of Xiliao began to adjust their religious policies, allowing the existence and development of Islam, retaining some of its religious privileges, and win over its upper class figures.For example, clerics can levy religious taxes and handle some civil cases in accordance with Sharia law.This tolerant policy achieved the desired effect, and Islam recognized the rule of Xiliao. In 1211, Qu Chulu usurped the throne, abandoned the policy of religious pluralism, and adopted the practice of abolishing Islam.It severely damaged the sentiments of Muslims and further fueled social unrest.If Muslims, who account for the majority of the population, regard the Xiliao Dynasty as an alien force, then the demise of this regime is just around the corner.When Genghis Khan sent General Zhebe to conquer Xiliao under the banner of "freedom of religious belief", the hearts of Muslims there had already turned to the rising star in Mobei.