Eurasian steppeAsia

Qara Khitai

Also known as Western Liao

1124 – 1218 CE · about 94 years

Qara Khitai (the Western Liao) was founded in Central Asia by Yelü Dashi, a Khitan prince who fled west after the Jurchens destroyed the Liao dynasty. It defeated the Seljuk Sultan Sanjar at the Battle of Qatwan in 1141. The Mongols conquered it in 1218.

Key facts

Dates	1124 – 1218 CE
Region	Eurasian steppe
Continent	Asia
Capital	Balasagun
Founder	Yelü Dashi
Religion(s)	Buddhism, Nestorian Christianity, Islam
Peak extent	≈ 1 million km² (c. 1130 CE) – source

Before & after

Preceded by

Liao dynasty Great Seljuk Empire Kara-Khanid Khanate

Followed by

Mongol Empire

Sources

Wikipedia – Qara Khitai
Wikipedia – List of largest empires

Dates follow widely used reference works; many ancient dates are approximate or debated. Neutral summary for general reference.