Helian Xia

Origins

Liu Bobo, of the Tiefu Xiongnu, was a commander under Later Qin who broke away in 407 and proclaimed himself Heavenly King of Great Xia, claiming descent from the ancient Xia dynasty. He later took the surname Helian.

Rule and society

Helian Bobo's mobile cavalry raided Later Qin ruthlessly. Between 413 and 418 he built the capital Tongwan, its walls of pounded earth mixed with lime so hard that, it was said, builders were executed if an awl could pierce them; its white ruins survive in northern Shaanxi. In 418 he captured Chang'an from the Eastern Jin forces left by Liu Yu.

Decline and legacy

After Helian Bobo's death in 425, Northern Wei took Tongwan in 427 and captured Helian Chang the following year. His brother Helian Ding destroyed Western Qin in 431 but was captured by the Tuyuhun while crossing the Yellow River and handed to the Wei.