Bohai

Bohai (渤海 698-926; Korean: Balhae, possibly original Bargae) was a kingdom in Manchuria and northern Korea, founded by Da Zuorong from Sumo Mohe (粟末靺鞨) ethnic group, integrating several Mohe tribes and Goguryeo remnants. It was conquered by the Khitan in 926.

In the confusion of the Khitan rebellion against Tang in 696, Sumo Mohe tribe, led by Qiqi Zhongxiang and Qisi Piyu, escaped eastward to their homeland. The two leaders died but Da Zuorong, the son of Qiqi Zhongxiang, established the State of Zhen (震 or 振). Since it gained power under protection of Gokturk, Tang gave Da Zuorong the title of "Prefecture King of Bohai" in 713. Bohai had been a Chinese prefecture, but since then referred to the kingdom. The title was upgraded to "State King of Bohai" in 762.

After destroyed Bohai in 926, the Khitan put the state of Eastern Khitan, followed by the annexation by Liao in 936. Small fragments of the state were semiindependent. Some Bohai people fled southward to Goryeo, including a son of the last king. Some descendants of the royal family live in Korea changing their family name to Tae (太). The 13th century census of Northern China by the Mongols distinguished Bohai from other ethnic groups such as Goryeo (Korean), Khitan and Jurchen. This suggests that the Bohai people still preserved their identity.

Important source of cultural information on Bohai was discovered at the end of the 20th century at the Ancient Tombs at Longtou Mountain, especially the Mausoleum of Princess Zhenxiao.