What is "abaoji"

Abaoji ( Mongolian: Ambagyan), posthumously known as Emperor Taizu of Liao was a Khitan leader and founder of the Liao dynasty (907–926). He had a sinicised name, Yelü Yi; some sources suggest that Abaoji's family name, Yelü, was adopted during his lifetime, though there is no unanimity on this point.

Abaoji was born in 872 in Southern Mongolia and had a turbulent childhood. His grandfather was killed in a conflict between tribes, and his father and uncles fled. He was hidden by his grandmother for his safety. He became khagan of the Khitans on 29 February 907, and was subsequently enthroned as emperor of the Khitans in 916, proclaiming his own era name. He died on September 6, 926. He was responsible for the conquest and unification of all of Inner Mongolia, northern China, and southern Manchuria. Once the Khitan Empire became the Liao dynasty in 942, he was posthumously considered a Liao emperor.