Map Introduction

Ning Province during the Western Jin Dynasty

Ning Province was an administrative division established by the Western Jin Dynasty to strengthen frontier governance. Its historical evolution can be divided into three stages:

Establishment and Adjustments

In the eighth month of the sixth year of the Taishi era (270 AD), to strengthen control over the Nanzhong region (modern Yunnan, southern Sichuan, and western Guizhou), the four commanderies of Jianning, Yunnan, Xinggu, and Yongchang were merged to establish Ning Province. Its administrative seat was located at Wei County (modern Qujing, Yunnan). This measure aimed to address the complex ethnic relations and local separatist forces in the Nanzhong region.

Temporary Abolition and Restoration

In the third year of the Taikang era (282 AD), Ning Province was abolished and merged into Yi Province, replaced by a Southern Yi Colonel for military administration. However, due to frequent rebellions by local powers (such as those led by Li Meng and Mao Shen), the Western Jin restored Ning Province in the eighth year of the Xianhe era (333 AD) and adjusted its jurisdiction to include the three commanderies of Zangke, Yizhou, and Zhuti.

Governance Challenges and Impact

After its restoration, Ning Province still faced a situation where the non-Han peoples were strong while Jin authority was weak. During the tenure of Li Yi as Inspector of Ning Province, his suppression of rebellions intensified ethnic conflicts, ultimately leading to the besieging of the provincial seat. During this period, Han Chinese migrants fled the warfare, moving as far as Jiao Province or to areas like Yongchang and Zangke, plunging the governance of the Nanzhong region into crisis.

Note: Historically, there were two distinct entities called "Ning Province": * Ning Province in Yunnan: Existed from the Western Jin to the early Tang Dynasty, governing most of Yunnan and parts of southern Sichuan and western Guizhou. It was later annexed by the Nanzhao Kingdom. * Ning Province in Gansu: Established in the third year of Emperor Fei of Western Wei (554 AD) by renaming Bin Province. It governed the area of modern Ning County, Gansu, and is unrelated to the Ning Province in Yunnan.