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 the Jin 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 Kettle, 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 Dynasty was completely defeated by the Jin Dynasty. 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 Jin Dynasty ended the Northern Song. 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 Jin Great Wall on the border  between Helongjiang and 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 in the Jin Dynasty.

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, the Jin Dynasty 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, Jin defeated Liao (907 - 1125) and Northern Song (960 - 1127), turning 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 of Jin 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