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'''Inner Asia during the Tang Dynasty''' was characterized by serial wars of expansion against the Gokturk Empires and Xueyantuo. In the 7th to 8th centuries, the ] expanded across large areas of the steppes of Central Asia; and for more than a century, the Tang retained control of large parts of Central Asia. This Chinese hegemony was not unopposed at its periphery. ]'s military success was, in part, a consequence of changes he initiated in the Chinese army, including improved weaponry. The emperor placed a new emphasis on cavalry, which was very important because his non-Chinese opponents used the horse effectively in warfare.<ref>Latourette, Kenneth Scott. (1965). </ref>
'''Inner Asia during the Tang Dynasty''' was characterized by serial wars of expansion against the Gokturk Empires and Xueyantuo. In the 7th to 8th centuries, the ] expanded across large areas of the steppes of Central Asia; and for more than a century, the Tang retained control of large parts of Central Asia. This Chinese hegemony was not unopposed at its periphery. ]'s military success was, in part, a consequence of changes he initiated in the Chinese army, including improved weaponry. The emperor placed a new emphasis on cavalry, which was very important because his non-Chinese opponents used the horse effectively in warfare.<ref>Latourette, Kenneth Scott. (1965). </ref>
Inner Asia during the Tang Dynasty was characterized by serial wars of expansion against the Gokturk Empires and Xueyantuo. In the 7th to 8th centuries, the Tang Dynasty expanded across large areas of the steppes of Central Asia; and for more than a century, the Tang retained control of large parts of Central Asia. This Chinese hegemony was not unopposed at its periphery. Emperor Taizong's military success was, in part, a consequence of changes he initiated in the Chinese army, including improved weaponry. The emperor placed a new emphasis on cavalry, which was very important because his non-Chinese opponents used the horse effectively in warfare.
Tang Conquest of the Eastern Gokturks
The Eastern Gokturks were the primary threat to the Tang dynasty..Following Liang Shidu's defeat and death, the Tang dynasty prepared to march against the Eastern Gokturks.. In 630, the Tang army marched against the Gokturks and defeated them in Southern Mongolia, sending them to flight.. However, the real victory came when Li Jin, regarded as one of China's best generals, surprised the Eastern Gokturk Khan with a fast force of 3,000 Cavalry at the battle of Ying shan, which also involved a rear guard of over 100,000 Tang troops.. This battle destroyed the Gokturk army and capturing the Khan and over 120,000 Gokturks.Thus ended the Eastern Gokturk Empire..
Tang conquest of Xueyantuo
Xueyantuo had helped Tang armies defeat the Eastern Gokturks, but after the demise of the Eastern Gokturks, Xueyantuo-Tang relations turned hostile because Xueyantuo kept on making attacks on Gokturks who were now Tang subjects.
In 642, Taizong sent an army to attack Xueyantuo and destroyed it.
Tang Conquest of the Western Gokturks
The Western Gokturks were not an initial threat to the Tang, so initially relations were peaceful.
However, Civil war and dispute in the Western Gokturks gave the Tang the oppurtunity to expand into Central Asia..From 642 to 645, the Tang army defeated the Western Gokturks and drove them out of Dzungaria..
In 657, the Tang defeated the last Western Gokturk Khan and took over all Western Gokturk terroritory..By this time, the Tang Empire extended from the caspian to the pacific.
Li Bo, Zheng Yin, "5000 years of Chinese history", Inner Mongolian People's publishing corp , ISBN 7-204-04420-7, 2001.
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