KHITAN PEOPLE Meaning and
Definition
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The Khitan people, historically known as the Liao Dynasty, were a nomadic ethnic group inhabiting the northeastern regions of China and Mongolia during the 10th to 12th centuries. They formed a significant empire known as the Liao Dynasty (907-1125 AD) that encompassed parts of modern-day China, Mongolia, Russia, and North Korea.
The Khitan people were of Tungusic origin and were renowned for their adept horsemanship and skilled archery. They had a rich cultural heritage, distinguished by their own distinct language, script, and religious practices. They also had a powerful military force, which allowed them to expand their territory and establish diplomatic relations with neighboring states.
The Khitan people had a highly organized social structure, with a supreme emperor at the helm, followed by members of the imperial family, nobles, and commoners. They possessed an advanced administrative system that embraced political, economic, and cultural development. Under their rule, the Khitan people exhibited religious tolerance, incorporating elements of Buddhism, Taoism, and traditional shamanism into their spiritual practices.
However, towards the end of the 12th century, the Khitan people succumbed to multiple invasions and were eventually assimilated into other cultures, notably the Jurchens and the Mongols. Their empire disintegrated, and their language and culture faced gradual extinction.
Today, the history and legacy of the Khitan people are preserved through archaeological discoveries, historical texts, and the efforts of scholars and researchers examining their impact on the region's history and culture.
Etymology of KHITAN PEOPLE
The word "Khitan" refers to an ethnic group that historically inhabited present-day northeastern China and Mongolia. The etymology of the word can be traced to the Khitan language, which is an extinct branch of the Mongolic language family. The Khitan people referred to themselves as "Khitan" in their own language.
The origin of the word in the Khitan language is unclear, but it is believed to have stemmed from the root "khi" meaning "the lesser" or "lesser people" in the Khitan language. The Khitan were initially a tribal confederation, and the term might have been used to differentiate themselves from other groups.
During the 10th and 12th centuries, the Khitan established the Liao dynasty, which ruled over a vast empire encompassing parts of modern-day China, Mongolia, and Korea. The term "Khitan people" gained significance during this period.
