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Emperor Mozhu of Western Xia

1203 – 1227

Emperor of the Western Xia Dynasty

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About Emperor Mozhu of Western Xia

Lived 1203 – 1227 (aged 23–24). Emperor Mozhu of Western Xia was a Chinese.

Last Emperor of Western Xia (died 1227), personal name Li Xian , was the tenth and last emperor of the Western Xia dynasty of China, ruling from 1226 to 1227. His reign ended with the collapse of the Western Xia as forces of the Mongol Empire under Genghis Khan overran and conquered it following the defiance of earlier emperors.

The Mongols gave Li Xian the name Shidurghu (Mongolian:, Chinese: 失都兒忽), meaning "simple, right, just", and in 18th century European sources he is referred to as Schidascou or Shidaskû from his Mongolian name.

Reign He was a nephew of his predecessor Emperor Xianzong. Faced with the threat of the Mongols, Li Xian and his officials rallied around the capital Zhongxing, trying to use its large walls to hold off the Mongol cavalries. However, Zhongxing suffered from a massive earthquake, which resulted in pestilence and food shortage. In 1227, Li finally surrendered to the Mongol Empire. In August 1227, the Mongols killed Li Xian and his entire family out of fear that the Western Xia would rebel again over the death of Genghis Khan. His death marked the end of the Western Xia dynasty.

After the fall of the Western Xia, the Mongol army discussed the massacre of the city, but finally, under the strong advice of the Mongol general Tsa Han , a Tangut, the people of Zhongxing were prevented from being massacred, and Tsa Han then went into the city to pacify the people and soldiers therein, so that the people left behind by the Western Xia could be preserved.

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Important facts

Born
1203
Birth century
Nationality
Positions held
Emperor
Also known as
Emperor Modi, Li Xian

People in Emperor Mozhu of Western Xia's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Emperor Mozhu of Western Xia's

Frequently asked questions

Who was Emperor Mozhu of Western Xia?

emperor of the Western Xia Dynasty

When was Emperor Mozhu of Western Xia born?

Emperor Mozhu of Western Xia was born in 1203.

When did Emperor Mozhu of Western Xia die?

Emperor Mozhu of Western Xia died on 28 August 1227.

What nationality was Emperor Mozhu of Western Xia?

Emperor Mozhu of Western Xia was Chinese.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Emperor Mozhu of Western Xia

· Wikidata: Q7459

· DBpedia: Last Emperor of Western Xia

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Emperor Mozhu of Western Xia. https://biography.guide/emperor-mozhu-of-western-xia/

MLA: "Emperor Mozhu of Western Xia." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/emperor-mozhu-of-western-xia/.

Chicago: "Emperor Mozhu of Western Xia." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/emperor-mozhu-of-western-xia/.

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