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Which groups competed for control of Shanxi from the 7th to the 14th century?
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Shanxi
Timber pagoda of the Fogong Temple, 1056, Song dynasty; at Yingxian, Shanxi province, China.
Between the 7th and 14th centuries, control over the region of Shanxi was frequently contested and shifted among several competing groups. During this period, the area was subject to the influence of:
- Local military leaders: Various regional commanders vied for power, particularly during periods of political fragmentation.1
- Invading forces: The region was a frequent target for nomadic groups, including the Khitan (who established the Liao dynasty), the Juchen (who established the Jin dynasty), and the Mongols.123
- Chinese dynasties: Representatives of the ruling Chinese imperial houses, such as the Tang dynasty and the Song dynasty, also sought to maintain or assert control over the territory.12
This cycle of shifting authority continued until the Ming dynasty (1368–1644) restored a greater degree of stability to the province.1