Wikipedia

Gaozong campaign of Tibet

Emperor Gaozong's campaign of Tibet was a series of campaigns conducted by Tang China from 670-679.[2] This was done as an effort to reverse and neutralize the Tibetan advances upon Tang lands. Chinese forces initially suffered many reverses, but were able to recapture the four western garrisons from Tibet due to the Tibetan king's death. A temporary peace was concluded, and the Chinese hold upon the Heyuan region was secure, but they were unable to secure the whole western frontier. As a result, Tibet retained the areas around the south of Qocho. [3][4]

Gaozong campaign of Tibet
DateLate 670–679 AD
Location
Modern day China
Result

Inconclusive[1]

  • Recapture of the Western Garrisons by the Tang
  • Tibetan Empire retains Qocho
Belligerents
Tang dynasty Tibetan Empire
Commanders and leaders
Emperor Gaozong of Tang
Pei Xingjian
Zhongshu Ling
Li Jingxuan
Liu Jingxian
Heukchi Sangji
Huangfu Wenliang
Gong-bu shang-shu
Liu Shenli †/ (POW)		 Tridu Songtsen Surrendered
Gar Trinring Tsendro
Zao-po
Su-he-gui

Background

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The Tibetans annexed the former territory of the Tuyuhun, conquered Qiuci, sacked Shule and attacked Gumo.[5][6][7] The Tang force to the Western Regions retook Shule in the middle of 673 and reverted the Kingdom of Khotan and Qiuci to Tang suzerainty.[8]

Battle

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In 678 AD, Emperor Gaozong of Tang initiated another anti-Tibetan campaign, but Tang troops led by Zhongshu-ling Li Jingxuan and Gongbu Shangshu Liu Shenli lost to the Tibetans in Qinghai, where Liu Shenli died. Only Zuo Lingjun Yuanwai Jiangjun Heichi Changzhi was successful in the campaign, having conducted a night assault on the Tibetans' camp while the Tibetans were taking over Qiangic territories and destroying Tang garrisons in the west. The Tibetans established connections with the northern Turks and Liu Qixian and Huangfu Wenliang, powerful figures in the court, called for a withdrawal from the battlefield. Subsequently, Heichi Changzhi won a battle against Zao Po and Su He Gui, Tibetan commanders, at Liangfeichuan and was promoted to Heyuan Shi to build up the defense of the border.[9][10]

In 679 AD, after the death of the Tibetan king, the boy king Qinu Xinong sought peace. The Tang court sent a representative, Langjiang Song Lingwen, to perform the ritual funerary duties. The actual power in the Tibetan court belonged to Qinling, the second son of Ludongzan, who was still in place. In that same year Tang general Pei Xingjian was overseeing the return of a Persian prince and recaptured the four western garrisons controlled by the Tibetans.[11][12][13][14]

References

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  1. ↑ Beckwith, Christopher I. (1993). The Tibetan Empire in Central Asia: A History of the Struggle for Great Power Among Tibetans, Turks, Arabs, and Chinese During the Early Middle Ages. Princeton University. p. 47-48.
  2. ↑ Wang, Zhenping (2013-10-31). Tang China in Multi-Polar Asia: A History of Diplomacy and War. University of Hawaii Press. p. 146. ISBN 978-0-8248-3644-3.
  3. ↑ Wang, Zhenping (2013-10-31). Tang China in Multi-Polar Asia: A History of Diplomacy and War. University of Hawaii Press. pp. 148–149. ISBN 978-0-8248-3644-3.
  4. ↑ Beckwith, Christopher I. (1993). The Tibetan Empire in Central Asia: A History of the Struggle for Great Power Among Tibetans, Turks, Arabs, and Chinese During the Early Middle Ages. Princeton University. p. 47-48.
  5. ↑ Wang, Zhenping (2013-10-31). Tang China in Multi-Polar Asia: A History of Diplomacy and War. University of Hawaii Press. p. 147. ISBN 978-0-8248-3644-3.
  6. ↑ Graff, David Andrew (2002). Medieval Chinese Warfare, 300-900. Routledge. p. 206. ISBN 978-0-415-23954-7.
  7. ↑ Xiong, Victor Cunrui (2009). Historical Dictionary of Medieval China. Bloomsbury Publishing PLC. ISBN 978-0-8108-6053-7.
  8. ↑ Wang, Zhenping (2013-10-31). Tang China in Multi-Polar Asia: A History of Diplomacy and War. University of Hawaii Press. p. 148. ISBN 978-0-8248-3644-3.
  9. ↑ Yuan, Hong (2022-11-14). From the Khitans to the Jurchens & Mongols: A History of Barbarians in Triangle Wars & Quartet Conflicts. iUniverse. ISBN 978-1-6632-4258-7.
  10. ↑ Jade-Carving Chisel and Luminous Ocean: Selected Essays by Jao Tsung-i on Literature and Related Topics. BRILL. 2024-10-28. p. 198. ISBN 978-90-04-52356-2.
  11. ↑ Whiting, Marvin. Imperial Chinese Military History. iUniverse. pp. 267–268. ISBN 978-0-595-22134-9.
  12. ↑ Wang, Zhenping (2013-10-31). Tang China in Multi-Polar Asia: A History of Diplomacy and War. University of Hawaii Press. p. 148. ISBN 978-0-8248-3644-3.
  13. ↑ Mohana Chander. Historical Atlas Of Central Asia Yuri Bregel Brill. p. 17.
  14. ↑ Xiong, Victor Cunrui (2009). Historical Dictionary of Medieval China. Bloomsbury Publishing PLC. p. 45. ISBN 978-0-8108-6053-7.
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