The Forgotten Empire of Tangut: A Medieval State in Northwest China

Tangut (Chinese: 唐ût; pinyin: tángūt) was a medieval state that existed from the 10th to the 13th century in what is now northwest China and Gansu Province. The Tangut people were a Tibeto-Burman ethnic group who spoke a language related to modern Tibetan and Burmese.

The Tangut Empire, also known as the Western Xia (Chinese: 西夏; pinyin: xīxià), was established in 982 AD by Emperor Taizong of Tangut, who declared independence from the Northern Song Dynasty. The empire reached its peak during the reign of Emperor Renzong of Tangut (1028-1063 AD), when it controlled a vast territory stretching from modern-day Gansu Province to parts of present-day Xinjiang and Inner Mongolia.

The Tangut Empire was known for its unique culture, which blended elements of Tibetan Buddhism, Chinese Confucianism, and Central Asian nomadic traditions. The Tangut people were skilled in metalworking, weaving, and paper-making, and their artisans produced intricate sculptures, paintings, and ceramics.

However, the empire declined in the 13th century due to internal strife, Mongol invasions, and environmental factors such as drought and famine. In 1227 AD, the Mongols under Genghis Khan conquered the Tangut Empire, marking the end of its independence. The Tangut language and culture have largely disappeared over time, but their legacy can still be seen in the architecture, art, and literature of the region.