300 east turkestan
the T’ang court, offering regional objects (Chiu T’ang shu 198:8b).
Karashahr found itself in a difficult position, with both China and
the Western Turks bringing pressure on it. The latter arranged a mar-
riage between one of their dignitaries and a daughter of the king of
Karashahr. T’ai-tsung, on his part, sent an army which captured the
king, Lung Ch’üeh-chi-chih, and his family, and in the 10th month
(Nov./Dec.) of 644 brought them to Ch’ang-an. Karashahr mean-
while enthroned a new king, who allied himself with the Western
Turks but also sent missions to the T’ang court (Tzu-chih t’ung-chien
pp.6211-6212, 6213).
In the 3rd month (Mar./Apr.) of 648, envoys from Karashahr
offered gifts (Ts’e-fu yüan-kuei p.5025).
After T’ai-tsung’s death on July 10, 649, the image of the still liv-
ing Lung Ch’üeh-chi-chih was carved in stone and placed at his tomb
(Chiu T’ang shu 198:9a).
In 651, the throne of Karashahr fell vacant, and its people requested
the return of their former king, Lung Ch’üeh-chi-chih. Emperor
Kao-tsung approved. In the 4th month (Apr./May) of that year, he
appointed Ch’üeh-chi-chih as General of the Martial Guards of the
Right and sent him back to Karashahr (Tzu-chih t’ung-chien p.6274).
In the 1st month (Feb./Mar) of 710, envoys from Karashahr were
received at the T’ang court (Ts’e-fu yüan-kuei p.5026).
In the 2nd month (March) of 713, envoys from Karashahr offered
gifts (Ts’e-fu yüan-kuei p.5027).
In the 1st month (Feb/Mar.) of 737, a chief from Karashahr was
received at the T’ang court (Ts’e-fu yüan-kuei p.5029).
On Feb.14, 747, the New Year’s Day, envoys from Karashahr
congratulated at the T’ang court and offered regional objects (Ts’e-fu
yüan-kuei p.5030).
In the 3rd month (Apr./May) of 748, envoys from Karashahr pre-
sented regional objects (Ts’e-fu yüan-kuei p.5030).
Kucha
Kucha was situated on the Northern Silk Route west of Karashahr.
Its Chinese name since Han times was Chiu-tz’u. For the Six Dynas-
ties, two missions are recorded from Kucha to the Liang and 12 to
the Northern Wei and Northern Chou.^18
(^18) See my Six Dynasties, vol.II, p.103.