Western Xia

History

The Tangut Empire, known as Western Xia, was a powerful Buddhist empire that ruled Northwest China from 1038 to 1227. Controlling the vital Hexi Corridor, it served as a major cultural and economic bridge on the Silk Road - The Silk Road was a very long network of trade routes that connected the East and the West in ancient times. It got its name, which means 'route of silk,' because expensive and beautiful Chinese silk was traded along these paths starting from the Han Dynasty. Merchants traveled on camels across deserts and mountains, exchanging not only goods like spices and jewels, but also sharing different religions, new technologies, and interesting stories. Later, massive empires like the Tang Dynasty and the Mongol Empire gained incredible wealth and power by protecting and managing these important routes..

Legend has it that the Tangut script, one of the most complex in history, was created in a single massive effort by the visionary scholar Iri. The empire's fierce resistance against the Mongols eventually led to Genghis Khan's death during the final siege of their capital.