Battle of Dafei River

The Battle of Dafei River was fought in mid-670 between the forces of the Tang dynasty and the Tibetan Empire, for control over the Tarim Basin (the "Anxi Protectorate" in Chinese parlance). In 669, the Tibetan Empire invaded and conquered the Tuyuhun kingdom of Qinghai, which was a tributary state and important ally to the Tang dynasty. To help Tuyuhun restore the regime, Emperor Gaozong of Tang launched the campaign against Tibet. The Tang general, Xue Rengui, commanded a huge army of allegedly 100,000 men. He left his slower-moving baggage train and 20,000 soldiers under Guo Daifeng behind and advanced with the rest to the Qinghai Lake. The Tibetans attacked and captured the Tang baggage train, and proceeded to destroy Xue's own army at the Dafei River (Dafeichuan, 大非川). In the aftermath of the battle, Tang dynasty's control over the Tarim Basin collapsed.

Battle of Dafei River

Battle of Dafei River
Date670
Location
near Qinghai Lake
Result Tibetan victory
Belligerents
Tibetan Empire Tang dynasty
Commanders and leaders
Gar Trinring Tsendro Xue Rengui
Ashina Daozi
Guo Daifeng

See also
  • Sino-Tibetan relations during the Tang dynasty

References
  • Graff, David A. (2002). Medieval Chinese Warfare, 300–900. London and New York: Routledge. p. 206. ISBN 0-415-23955-9.
  • Peers, C.J. (1996). Imperial Chinese Armies (2): 590–1260 AD. Men-at-Arms. 295. Oxford: Osprey Publishing. p. 43. ISBN 1-85532-599-3.
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