The Historical Map of the Capital of the Western Region in the Western Han Dynasty

Map reference

The Historical Map of the Capital of the Western Region in the Western Han Dynasty

发布时间：2016-10-24 11:29:00 UTC

类别：Qin and Han Dynasties Historical Maps

Map Introduction

The Western Regions during the Western Han Period

The Protectorate of the Western Regions was the supreme military and administrative institution established by the Western Han Dynasty to govern the Western Regions.

Background and Initial Functions Beginning in 105 BCE, Emperor Wu of Han dispatched troops to establish agricultural garrisons in Luntian and Quli, among other locations in the Western Regions, to ensure the security of the Silk Road. In 60 BCE (the 2nd year of the Shenjue era of Emperor Xuan of Han), to consolidate control over the Western Regions, the Protectorate of the Western Regions was established at Wulei City (near present-day Luntai County, Xinjiang). Zheng Ji was appointed as the first Protector-General, governing the thirty-six states (later increased to fifty) north and south of the Tianshan Mountains.

Management System and Functional Expansion The Protectorate established subordinate officials such as the Deputy Colonel, Assistant, and Marshal. Its responsibilities included supervising the various city-states, promulgating decrees, suppressing rebellions, managing agricultural garrisons, and ensuring the smooth operation of the Silk Road. The leaders of the various city-states were required to wear Han seals and ribbons, accepting titles conferred by the central government. For example, during his tenure, Zheng Ji successfully quelled a rebellion in the state of Jushi, consolidating the Protectorate's authority.

Abolishment and Lasting Impact During the Eastern Han Dynasty, the Protectorate of the Western Regions was temporarily abolished and replaced by the Chief Official of the Western Regions, which continued to manage affairs in the area. It was re-established in 74 CE (the 17th year of the Yongping era of Emperor Ming of the Eastern Han) but was ultimately abolished permanently in 107 CE (the 1st year of the Yongchu era of Emperor An), partly due to the weakening of the Xiongnu threat.

The establishment of the Protectorate of the Western Regions ended the prolonged period of division and fragmentation in the region. Through measures such as agricultural garrisons and the beacon fire system, it promoted economic and cultural exchange between the Western Regions and the Central Plains, laying the foundation for later central governments' administration of the Western Regions.

Map Source

The Historical Map of the Capital of the Western Region in the Western Han Dynasty is sourced from The Historical Atlas of China, Volume 2(2)—Maps of the Western Han 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.

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