Other lordship · The Qara Khitai: the gurkhan's own lands · as at first light, 1 January 1200

Gurkhan's claim

The Persia map holds the gurkhan's own record.

What his lordship means in the Tarim: every oasis prince keeps his throne and pays; the gurkhan's name is read in the sermon; his envoys count households and take the tax; he can dismiss a prince; he keeps hostages after trouble (Kashgar's prince in 1204); and he sends no garrison. The claim is real where he has shown he can reach it by army, at Kashgar and at Khotan in 1204. For the other oases it is the same claim on paper, with nothing recorded to show it was ever exercised.

The Uyghur kingdom of Qocho is the only place east of the Pamirs where he keeps a resident commissioner.

Who he is

Name
Yelu Zhilugu
Title
Gur Khan (gurkhan) of the Qara Khitai, with the Chinese titles of an emperor
Since
1177 or 1178 (Iranica and Wikipedia give 1178); reigned to 1211
Born
not known
Family
Second son of Yelu Yilie; raised to the throne by the empress dowager Xiao Wolila (Wikipedia 'Qara Khitai'). Son-in-law Kuchlug (from 1208).
Confidence
medium

The gurkhan's own record is the Persia map's (Qara Khitai). Here only what his claim means east of Kashgar, from Iranica 'Qara Ketay', Iranica 'Ilak-Khanids' and Togan.

Overlord

None; Zhilugu is himself styled emperor (the Persia map).

What it holds

  • Tribute and the sermon from every Tarim prince (claim)
  • Direct power: none in the Tarim

How it was acquired

Qatwan, 9 September 1141, and the earlier fall of the Qarakhanid khans at Balasagun (1134).

Allies and rivals

Vassals in the Tarim: Kashgar (Yusuf b. Muhammad), Khotan, and the unnamed lords of Yarkand, Aksu, Kucha and Karashahr. Neighbouring vassal: the idiqut of Qocho.

How things stand that morning

At peace in the east; his trouble is on the Oxus (Ghurids, Khwarazm). No Tarim event is recorded.

Wealth

Tribute by household; the road trade of the Uyghurs and the oases.

Military

His army camps near Balasagun, weeks away from the oases. No figures.

Threats

  • Unrest among the Qarakhanid vassals: Kashgar and Khotan rise in 1204 (later)
  • Kuchlug's coup in 1211 (later)

What the year holds

What happened next, if nothing in play changes it. Each event carries what it depends on and what would stop it.

  1. 1204Army sent against Kashgar and Khotan; hostage taken.Depends on: The revolt. Stopped by: No revolt.
  2. 1211Kuchlug seizes him and rules in his name until he dies (1213 per Iranica).Depends on: Kuchlug's presence at court. Stopped by: Nothing.

Where the sources disagree

  • Zhilugu's accession is 1177 in the brief and board, 1178 in Iranica and Wikipedia; not pinned.

Evidence: The system is well described; its working in the Tarim is not.

On the map: A claim overlay. It shows where tribute is owed, not where troops stand.

Primary sources for Qara Khitai

Chronicles, registers, sagas and inscriptions written in or near 1200 that cover this entry. Each has its own page with editions, translations and where to read it.

Sources and studies

  1. Encyclopaedia Iranica, 'Qara Ketay'
  2. Encyclopaedia Iranica, 'Ilak-Khanids' (C. E. Bosworth)
  3. Encyclopaedia Iranica, 'Chinese Turkestan iii. From the Advent of Islam to the Mongols' (I. Togan)
  4. Wikipedia, 'Qara Khitai'

Last revised 4 November 2026. Published 4 November 2026. Suggest a correction on the OMNIA Discord.