Jin Dynasty

The Jin Dynasty was founded by the ethnic minority known as the Nuzhen who originated from the Heilongjiang River and Songhua River regions and the Changpai Mountain area. In 1115, one of the Nuzhen tribal leaders, by the name of Wanyan Aguda, unified the whole Nuzhen group and established this Dynasty in Acheng City (currently in Heilongjiang Province). Later, the capital city was moved to Yanjing (currently Beijing and finally settled in Bianjing (currently Kaifeng).

 
Six-handle Bronze Ketile, Jin Dynasty
Six-handle Bronze Kettle, Jin Dynasty
Caltrop, Jin Dynasty
Caltrop, Jin Dynasty
Before and after the founding of the Jin dynasty, there were constant battles between Liao (916 - 1125), Jin and Northern Song (960 - 1127). Initially, Jin launched a series of attacks on Liao. This resulted in the five major cities of Liao being captured by the Jin army one after another. In 1125, the Liao was completely defeated. After that, the Jin court focused all its military forces on fighting with the Northern Song. Due to the incompetence of the late Song's rulers, the Jin army easily conquered Northern  Song's capital city, Kaifeng, in 1127. Thus the Northern Song came to an end. After that, the Jin Dynasty gradually unified the vast areas in the north along the Yellow River. After the founding of the Southern Song, the Jin court fell into further confrontation with them. During the reign of Emperor Shizong and Emperor Zhangzong, the national strength of the Jin Dynasty was at its zenith, with the Xixia (a regime founded by another ethnic minority called the Dangxiang) made into a subordinate country and the weak Southern Song forced to make peace by paying tribute.
Ruins of the Jin Great Wall on the border of Gannan County in Helongjiang and Inner Mongolia
Ruins of Jin Great Wall on the border
between Helongjiang and Inner Mongolia
Ruins of Jin Great Wall in Abaga Banner, Inner Mongolia
Ruins of Jin Great Wall in
Abaga Banner, Inner Mongolia

Interestingly, communication with other countries, especially the Song Dynasty, led to the Jin Dynasty gradually adopting a feudal system, resulting in a well developed social economy. Traditionally, the Nuzhen people lived from fishing and hunting, with livestock husbandry as their dominant industry. Under the influence of the Han people, agriculture, commerce and the handicraft industry made great progress. Significant cultural advancements in drama and literature were also made.

During the late Jin Dynasty, rulers became corrupt and there was a dramatic surge in national uprisings. What was worse, the Jin court in that period made enemies simultaneously with Xixia, the Northern Song and the Mongolian Kingdom. In 1234, the Jin army was finally defeated by the allied forces of the Northern Song and the Yuan Dynasty was founded by Mongolia. After 119 years, it came to an end.
 

Emperors of the Jin Dynasty

Order
Name
Notes
Time of Reign
(years)
1 Jin Taizu
(Wanyan Aguda)
Initially, he was one of the leaders of the Nuzhen tribes. After he unified the whole Nuzhen group, he proclaimed himself emperor and founded the Jin Dynasty in 1115. 1115 - 1123
2 Jin Taizong
(Wanyan Wuqimai)
Younger brother of Jin Taizu; In his reign, Liao (907 - 1125) and Northern Song (960 - 1127) were defeated and the Xixia into a subordinate country. 1123 - 1134
3 Jin Xizong
(Wanyan Hela)
Grandson of Jin Taizu; He was killed by Wanyan Liang. 1135 - 1149
4 Hailing Wang
(Wanyan Liang)
He moved the capital to Yanjing (currently Beijing) and later to Bianjing (currently Kaifeng). He was killed by a Jin general for his escape in the battle with Song. 1149 - 1161
5 Jin Shizong
(Wanyan Yong)
He was originally a governor of Kaifeng. Later, he was put on the throne and took the place of Hailing Wang who was quickly dethroned.  1161 - 1189
6 Jin Zhangzong
(Wanyan Jing)
Grandson of Jin Shizong 1190 - 1208
7 Weishao Wang
(Wanyan Yongji)
The seventh son of Jin Shizong; He was killed in a rebellion launched by a Jin general. 1209 - 1213
8 Jin Xuanzong
(Wanyan Xun)
The elder brother of Jin Zhangzong; He came to the throne after Weishao Wang was killed. 1213 - 1223
9 Jin Aizong
(Wanyan Shouxu)
The third son of Jin Aizong; After the Yuan army captured Jin's capital, Kaifeng, he fled to Caizhou, passed the throne to his son and committed suicide.  1224 - 1234
10 Jin Modi
(Wanyan Chenglin)
Nominally the last emperor of Jin; He was killed soon after the Yuan army captured Caizhou. Less than one day in 1234

- Last updated on Apr. 21, 2021 -
Questions & Answers on Jin Dynasty Founded by Nuzhen People
Asked by Hamza from PAKISTAN | Dec. 02, 2015 07:42Reply
Why were the emperors called jin why not with their names?
Answers (1)
Answered by Helen from GERMANY | Dec. 04, 2015 02:46
43Reply


Jin actually refers to Jin Dynasty. Taizu, Taizong, Xizong etc are the posthumous titles of the emperors. The emperors were worshipped at the the imperial ancestral temples. That's why the above-mentioned titles were needed.
Asked by mikaela from USA | Mar. 13, 2015 16:35Reply
what was the Jin Dynasty famous for?
Answers (1)
Answered by Samuel from DENMARK | Mar. 14, 2015 22:07
34Reply


By mentioning Jin, the Emperor Taizu comes first. He founded the dynasty and carried out some measurements to benefit his people. During the dynasty, the northern China was unified and lives peacefully. Moreover, the development of Zaju and opera then should not be neglected.
Asked by pipipipip from AUSTRALIA | May. 18, 2011 03:48Reply
who were the celebrities in the jin dynasty?
who were the popular warriors/ soldiers or people?
Answers (3)
Answered by Mr.Jack from CHINA | May. 18, 2011 20:42
114Reply


the well-known generals should be Yue Fei of the Song and Wanyan Chenheshang of the Jin.
Answered by pipipipip from AUSTRALIA | Feb. 12, 2014 23:41
45Reply


Piplup and pichucu.
Answered by Zhang Qinzhao from AUSTRALIA | Jun. 19, 2015 21:20
50Reply


some of the most popular Jin generals include
Wanyan Zongbi, famous as the general Yue Fei fought against
Wanyan Zongwang
Wanyan Zonghan
Wanyan Loushi
Wanyan Xiyin
Wanyan Mouianghu
Wanyan Cheheshang
Pusan Zhongyi
Heshilie Zhining
Pucha Guannu
Yila Pua
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