Abaoji (872 – 6 September 926), posthumously known by his temple name as the Emperor Taizu of Liao,[1] was a Khitan leader and the founding emperor of the Liao dynasty of China, ruling from 916 to 926.[2] He had a sinicised name, Yelü Yi; some sources suggest that Abaoji's family name, Yelü, was adopted during his lifetime,[2] although there is no consensus amongst historians on this point.
Abaoji was born in 872 in Southern Mongolia and had a turbulent childhood. His grandfather was killed in a conflict between tribes, and his father and uncles fled. He was hidden by his grandmother for his safety. He became khagan of the Khitans on 27 February 907,[3] and was subsequently enthroned as emperor in 916, proclaiming his own era name.[4] He died on 6 September 926.[3] He was responsible for the conquest and unification of all of Inner Mongolia, northern China and southern Manchuria.[2] After the Khitan Empire became the Liao dynasty in 942, Abaoji was posthumously considered a Liao emperor.
