Juqu Mujian

Juqu Mujian (Chinese: 沮渠牧犍; before 420 – 447), named Juqu Maoqian (沮渠茂虔) in some sources, also known by his posthumous name as the Prince Ai of Northern Liang (北涼哀王), was a prince of the Xiongnu-led Northern Liang dynasty of China. By the time that Juqu Mujian succeeded his father Juqu Mengxun (Prince Wuxuan) in 433, the Northern Liang appeared to be stronger than ever, yet was under the shadow of the much stronger Northern Wei dynasty, to which the Northern Liang was nominally a vassal. In 439, the Emperor Taiwu of Northern Wei launched a major campaign against the Northern Liang and captured both his capital Guzang (姑臧, in modern Wuwei, Gansu) and Juqu Mujian himself. Juqu Mujian remained an honored Northern Wei subject as Emperor Taiwu's brother-in-law until 447, when Emperor Taiwu, believing him to be trying to rebel, forced him to commit suicide. His brother Juqu Wuhui later re-established the Northern Liang dynasty at Gaochang.