Warfare of the Xianbei Tuyuhun

Abstract

The article analyzes information from Chinese dynastic chronicles about warfare and the armed forces of the Xianbei proto-state of Tuyuhun (Togon), which existed in the area of Kukunor lake in Northeastern Tibet in 313–663. In the course of the study we identified and analyzed episodes of the military history of Togon, that captured in the Chinese chronicles of nine dynasties (including fragments that had not previously been translated into Russian). Fragmentary information on the Togonian military history with numerous analogies from the Xianbei, Xiongnu, Qiang and Tangut chiefdoms and states (contemporary with Togon), show that the Togonian warfare corresponded to the level of neighboring ethnic groups and evolved in the same trend. The article takes into account the specificity of warfare of the period preceding the resettlement to Kukunor, its evolution towards the creation of "absolute" armor for the rider and horse, and considers the possible place in this process of Togon. Written sources make it possible to draw general conclusions about the structure of the Togonian armed forces, the weapons complex, and some tactical methods. In the absence of firmly established archaeological sites of Togon from the period of independence, more specific conclusions are not yet possible. For a better understanding of the place of Togon in the military history of the region, we have given a list of all its known episodes. The relatively long existence of this political formation, its important role in international trade and politics may indicate the relatively high combat capability of the Togon Xianbeis.