Jurchens

(also Juchen, Jürched), tribes of Tungus origin that from ancient times inhabited the eastern part of Northeast China (Manchuria) and the Primor’e.

Until the tenth century, the Jurchens were independent and maintained ties with China and Korea. In the tenth and 11th centuries they were dependent on the Khitans. In the early 12th century the various Jurchen tribes were united by Akuta, who in 1114 led an uprising against the Khitans that resulted in the formation of the independent Chin state (1115–1234), which was eventually destroyed by the Mongol conquerors. Under the Mongols, the Jurchens once again split up into several tribal groups and until the 16th century played a minor role in the history of Eastern Asia.

At the end of the 16th century a tribal elder named Nurhachi emerged from the Chienchou Jurchens, whose designation is derived from the area they inhabited. Between 1583 and 1625 he managed to unite the Chienchou tribes and several other tribes, which were subsequently known as the Manchus.