Yutian (Khotan) is the town of Xicheng (‘Western Town’, Yotkan). It is 5,300 li (2,204 km) from the residence of the Senior Clerk [in Lukchun], and 11,700 li (4,865 km) from Luoyang. It controls 32,000 households, 83,000 individuals, and more than 30,000 men able to bear arms. ”
Khotan was conquered by the Han Dynasty in 73 CE, but the Han-influence on Khotan quickly diminished:
“ During the Yongping period (58-76 CE), in the reign of Emperor Ming, Xiumo Ba, a Khotanese general, rebelled against Suoju (Yarkand), and made himself king of Yutian (in 60 CE). On the death of Xiumo Ba, Guangde, son of his elder brother, assumed power and then (in 61 CE) defeated Suoju (Yarkand). His kingdom became very prosperous after this. From Jingjue (Niya) northwest, as far as Shule (Kashgar), thirteen kingdoms submitted to him. Meanwhile, the king of Shanshan (the Lop Nor region, capital Charklik) had also begun to prosper. From then on, these two kingdoms were the only major ones on the Southern Route in the whole region to the east of the Congling (Pamirs). ”
The Khatana clan of Gujjars in India and Pakistan is claimed by some to have migrated from Khotan by the time of the invasions of the Huna people, at the fifth and sixth century CE. Later in 1001 their ruler Jaipal Khatana who was defeated by Mahmud of Ghazni in the Battle of Peshawar.
Tang Dynasty
In 640, Emperor Taizong of Tang Dynasty launched a campaign against the Western Regions, and Khotan submitted to the Tang emperor. The Four Garrisons of Anxi was established, one of them at Khotan.
The Tibetans later defeated the Chinese and took control of the Four Garrisons, and the Khotanese helped the Tibetans to conquer Aksu. Tang China later regained control in 692, but eventually lost control of the entire Western Regions after it was weakened considerably by the An Lushan Rebellion. After the Tang Dynasty,
