The Jurchen were a group of people from northeastern China, known for their role in the establishment of the Jin Dynasty in the 12th century. They originally lived in the region that is now part of modern-day Manchuria. The Jurchen were skilled horsemen and warriors, and they united various tribes to form a powerful state that challenged the ruling Song Dynasty. Their language and culture were distinct, and they played a significant role in the history of East Asia. The Jurchen eventually evolved into the Manchu people, who later founded the Qing Dynasty, which ruled China for nearly three centuries.