Dai (Sixteen Kingdoms)

Dai was a state of the Xianbei Mongol clan of Tuoba, during the era of Sixteen Kingdoms in China. It existed from 310 to 376 AD, with its capital at Shengle (盛樂) (near modern Holingol county (和林格爾) of Hohhot, Inner Mongolia).

The name "Dai" originated when Tuoba Yilu was appointed Duke of Dai (代公) by the Western Jin in 310 AD, as a reward for helping Liu Kun (劉琨), the Governor of Bingzhou (并州), fight against the Xiongnu state of Han Zhao. The fief was later promoted from a duchy to a principality. Dai was conquered in 376 by the Former Qin state, and its descendants later established the Northern Wei Dynasty in the 4th century.

Dai in astronomy
Dai is represented by two stars, Iota Capricorni (代一 Dài yī, the First Star of Dai) and 38 Capricorni (代二 Dài èr, the Second Star of Dai), in Twelve States asterism.