西夏开国人口考论

本文在认真研读相关文献的基础上 ,对西夏开国人口作了较为深入细致的考察和论述 ,认为由于史料采信等原因 ,以往研究与历史事实多有出入 ,存在不少问题。文章进而指出 ,特定的历史与地理条件决定了西夏自建国伊始即是一个“土地有限 ,人民有数”的地方性民族割据政权 ,其开国兵力不过 30余万 ,人口总数则仅及百万

A Study of the Population in the Beginning of Western Xia

On the basis of a careful research of relevant historical documents, this paper makes a profound and attentive examination and discussion. The author believes that there are quite a few problems in previous studies, which, more often than not, are found inconsistent with historical facts due to the selection of historical literature and some other causes. The paper further points out that particular historical and geographical conditions determined "the limited land and population" of the Western Xia as a local, ethnic separatist regime at the very beginning when it was found. At that time, the Western Xia's troops amounted to mere 300,000 and its total population was no more than a million.