Western Xia

Western Xia was an empire in Tibet and the west (East Asia) that lasted from 1038 to 1227 CE, about 189 years. Its people spoke Tibeto-Burman languages (Tibetan, Burmese, Newar, Pyu, Tangut).

The Tangut empire of Ningxia and Gansu, which created its own script of over 6,000 characters and printed Buddhist books. Genghis Khan died during his final campaign against it, and the Mongols destroyed the Tangut state in 1227.

See Western Xia on the interactive timeline

Facts

Dates: 1038 to 1227 CE
Duration: 189 years
Type: Empire
Region: Tibet and the west, East Asia
Language family: Tibeto-Burman
Capital: Xingqing (Yinchuan)

Events in East Asia during its time

1044 Gunpowder formula recorded
1185 Battle of Dan-no-ura

Neighbours in East Asia

Northern Song 960 to 1127 CE
Goryeo 918 to 1392 CE
Heian period 794 to 1185 CE
Liao dynasty 916 to 1125 CE
Southern Song 1127 to 1279 CE
Kamakura shogunate 1185 to 1333 CE
Jin dynasty (Jurchen) 1115 to 1234 CE
Mongol Empire (north China) 1215 to 1271 CE
Guge kingdom c. 967 to 1630 CE
Tibetan era of fragmentation 842 to 1264 CE

Elsewhere in the world at the same time

Republic of Venice c. 697 to 1797 CE, Europe
Byzantine Empire 395 to 1453 CE, Europe
Byzantine Empire 395 to 1453 CE, Middle East
Swahili city-states c. 800 to 1700 CE, Central and Southern Africa
Ghana Empire (Wagadu) c. 300 to 1200 CE, North and West Africa
Holy Roman Empire 962 to 1806 CE, Europe
Srivijaya c. 650 to 1377 CE, Southeast Asia
Khmer Empire 802 to 1431 CE, Southeast Asia
Abbasid Caliphate 750 to 1258 CE, Middle East
Chola Empire 848 to 1279 CE, South Asia

Questions

When did Western Xia exist?

1038 to 1227 CE, about 189 years.

Where was Western Xia?

Tibet and the west, in East Asia. Its capital was Xingqing (Yinchuan).

What language did Western Xia speak?

Tibeto-Burman. This family includes Tibetan, Burmese, Newar, Pyu, Tangut.