The Kara-Khitans (Black Khitan) were Khitans of the Liao Dynasty (907–1125) who were driven out from China by the Jurchens of the Jin Dynasty. In 1124 some Khitans moved westward under Yeh-lü Ta-shih’s leadership and created the Kara-Khitan Khanate (Western Liao) between in the Semirechye and the Chu River. They dominated Central Asia in the 12th century afer they defeated the Great Seljuk leader Ahmed Sanjar at the Battle of Qatwan in 1141. However, their power was shattered in 1211 through the combined actions of the Khwārezm-Shah ʿAlāʾ ad-Dīn Muḥammad (1200–20), and Küchlüg, a fugitive Naiman prince in flight from Chinggis Khaan’s Mongolians. Kuchlug was given shelter by the Kara-Khiitans, but he usurped the Gurkhan's throne in 1211.