Britannica
Sources used in this answer
How did Aguda establish the Juchen Jin kingdom in 1115?
Created from Britannica articles
using AI.
AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
Manchuria
The historical region of Manchuria shown with the boundaries of the modern-day Chinese provinces in its place as well as the portion of the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region that is often considered part of Manchuria.
Aguda, the paramount chief of the Juchen tribes, established the Jin dynasty in 1115 by capitalizing on the declining military and administrative power of the Liao dynasty, to whom the Juchen had previously been vassals.123
The path to independence was marked by several key developments:
- Defiance of Liao Authority: Tensions escalated when the last Liao emperor visited the Juchen homeland in 1112 and demanded that the tribal chiefs dance for him. Aguda refused to comply, effectively signaling a break in his allegiance to the Khitan overlords.3
- Proclamation of the Dynasty: In 1115, Aguda formally declared himself emperor, establishing the Jin kingdom.23
- Strategic Alliance: To strengthen his position, Aguda formed an alliance with the Chinese Song dynasty, which sought to reclaim territory held by the Liao.13
With the support of this union, Aguda’s forces successfully overran the Liao empire, leading to its eventual destruction in 1125. Following this victory, the Jin turned their military focus toward the Song, eventually driving them south of the Huai River.123