Map Description

During the Qin Dynasty period, the administrative divisions south of the Huai and Han Rivers (in areas of present-day Anhui, Hubei, etc.) underwent an evolution from Jiujiang Commandery to the Principality of Huainan, which can be specifically divided into three stages:

From the Qin to the Early Han Period In 221 BCE, after the Qin unification, Jiujiang Commandery was established. Its jurisdiction included areas of modern Anhui south of the Huai River, parts of Henan, and the region east of Huanggang in Hubei. Its administrative seat was located at Shouchun (present-day Shou County, Anhui). The commandery administered counties such as Quyang, Yinling, Dongcheng, and Zhongli. Among these, Yinling (southwest of present-day Dingyuan) and Zhongli (present-day Linhuai Town, Fengyang) were located within the boundaries of modern Chuzhou.

Adjustments and Evolution during the Han Dynasty In the early Han period, Jiujiang Commandery was changed to the Principality of Huainan, and Ying Bu was enfeoffed as the King of Huainan. During the reign of Emperor Wen of Han, the Principality of Huainan was divided into the three commanderies of Huainan, Hengshan, and Lujiang, with the seat remaining at Shouchun. During the reign of Emperor Wu of Han, the Principality of Huainan was abolished, and Jiujiang Commandery was re-established, with its seat moved to Yinling (within present-day Dingyuan). In the Eastern Han period, Jiujiang Commandery was renamed Huainan Commandery, still governing the area of modern Chuzhou.

Territorial Adjustments and Impact This evolution reflects the dynamic adjustments in administrative divisions during the Qin and Han periods: * Political Adjustments: The shift from centralization to local enfeeffment and back to the commandery-county system demonstrates the flexibility of ruling strategies. * Military Influence: During the Chu-Han contention, Xiang Yu passed through many places in Chuzhou during his retreat, leaving behind military relics. * Cultural Integration: The interaction between the Central Plains polity and local powers promoted regional development.

Map Source

The Historical Maps of Zhujuns in the South of Huai Han in the Qin Dynasty is sourced from The Historical Atlas of China, Volume 2(1)—Maps of the Qin Dynasty, published by SinoMaps Press on October 1, 1982, with Tan Qixiang as its author.

The Historical Atlas of China is an atlas focusing primarily on the historical administrative divisions and territories of China throughout its dynasties, compiled under the chief editorship of Tan Qixiang. The entire work spans from the primitive society to the end of the Qing dynasty, organized into 8 volumes and 20 sections according to historical periods, containing a total of 304 maps (not including illustrations). All maps juxtapose historical and modern geography. The compilation of this atlas began in the 1950s, it was seriously disturbed during the cultural revolution. The internal edition was published in 1975 but contained numerous errors. Publication of Volumes 1-8 occurred successively starting in 1982. The Historical Atlas of China is a rare and valuable resource for studying the historical administrative divisions of China.

Related Maps

• Historical Map of the Qin Dynasty Period in China
• Historical Map of the Commanderies in the Guanzhong Region during the Qin Dynasty Period in China
• Historical Map of the Commanderies in Southern Shandong during the Qin Dynasty Period in China
• Historical Map of the Commanderies in Northern Shandong during the Qin Dynasty Period in China