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The Western Xia Dynasty (Chinese: 西夏; pinyin: Xī Xià; literally "Western Xia") or the Tangut Empire...

The Western Xia Dynasty (Chinese: 西夏; pinyin: Xī Xià; literally "Western Xia") or the Tangut Empire was a state that existed from 1038 up to 1227 in what are now the northwestern Chinese provinces of Ningxia, Gansu, eastern Qinghai, northern Shaanxi, northeastern Xinjiang, southwest Inner Mongolia, and southernmost Outer Mongolia, measuring about eight hundred thousand square kilometers. The state suffered from devastating destruction by the Mongols who founded Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368), including most of its written records and architecture. Its founders and history therefore remained controversial until recent research conducted both in the West and within China. It was established in the 11th century by the Xianbei, who are known as “Monguor” in the West and as “Tu” in China. They occupied the area of important trade route between North China and Central Asia, the Hexi Corridor. The Western Xia made significant achievements in literature, art, music, and architecture, which was characterized as “shining and sparkling”. Their extensive stance among the other empires of the Liao, Song, and Jin was attributable to their effective military organizations that integrated cavalry,