Zubu

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The Zubu (also referred to as Dada or Tatars) were an ethnic group that are known to have existed in northeast Asia from the tenth to twelfth centuries. Little is known in detail about this group.

[edit] Relations with the Khitan

Zubu is a word derived from the Russian language meaning cat. The Zubu began paying tribute to the Khitan Empire after a campaign in 924 when the Khitan subdued the Zubu and other Turkic peoples in the region of what is now Eastern Mongolia or southeastern Russia.

Liao emperor Shengzong led an expeditionary force against the Zubu in 983 after the Zubu killed their own khan and began to act in defiance of the Khitan. The Zubu khan was forced to submit to the Liao in 1003. On this occasion, the Liao divided the Zubu into several division, each under a Liao ruler.

The Zubu once again rebelled against their Khitan masters in 1026, but suffered another defeat. On this occasion, they were forced to pay an annual tribute of horses, camels, and furs.

In the 1090s, the Zubu once again defied the Khitan by invading the northeast borders of Liao territory. In 1100, the Zubu were once again defeated, and their khan was taken prisoner and taken to the Liao capital of Shangjing. Once in the Liao capital, he was hacked to pieces.

[edit] Work Referenced

Mote, F.W. (1999). Imperial China: 900-1800. Harvard University Press, 57. ISBN 0674012127.