Map Introduction

Western Rong Commandant

During the reign of Emperor Taiwu of the Northern Wei Dynasty (mid-5th century), to strengthen control over the Western Regions, the office of the Western Rong Commandant was established in Shanshan (modern Ruoqiang). Han Ba was appointed as the Commandant, directly administering affairs in Shanshan and collecting taxes based on the system used in interior commanderies and counties. This institution served as a crucial administrative and military center for the Northern Wei in the eastern Western Regions, coordinating tributary relations with states such as Kucha and Shule. However, its sphere of control was limited due to obstruction by the Rouran.

Yanqi Garrison

In the 9th year of the Taiping Zhenjun era (448 AD), after the Northern Wei general Wan Dugui conquered Yanqi, he established the Yanqi Garrison. It was defended by Tang He, who also established granaries there to support military operations in places like Jushi. Its strategic location controlled the central route of the Silk Road and formed a coordinated network with the Shanshan Garrison and Kucha. However, due to pressure from the Rouran in the later Northern Wei period, control over the area was gradually lost.

Northern Liang

The Northern Liang (397–439 AD) was originally a regime in the Hexi Corridor. After its defeat by the Northern Wei in 439 AD, remnants of the court migrated west to Gaochang and established the Gaochang Kingdom, which persisted until the 7th century. Its territory bordered the Tuyuhun to the south, Dunhuang to the east, Kucha to the west, and the Tianshan Mountains to the north, becoming a significant Han Chinese polity in the eastern Western Regions.

Agricultural Garrisons in Gaochang

The Northern Liang continued the system of the Former Liang, organizing military-agricultural settlements in Gaochang. Through the successive rules of the Kan, Zhang, Ma, and Qu families, the Qu period maintained tributary relations with the Northern Wei, receiving official titles and recognition multiple times.

States of the Western Regions

• Kucha (modern Kuqa): A core state on the northern Silk Road. Controlled by the Xiongnu during the Western Han, it later submitted to the Northern Wei. Its civilization integrated Han, Greek, and Persian elements. The Northern Wei attempted to use Kucha to check the Rouran, but its actual control was limited.
• Khotan (modern Hotan): Established marriage alliances with the Northern Wei during Emperor Wencheng's reign. During Emperor Xianwen's reign, it sought Northern Wei aid against the Rouran threat without success, but maintained tributary relations.
• Shule (modern Kashgar): Like Kucha and Khotan, it was a target of Northern Wei pacification efforts, but remained indirectly influenced by the Rouran.
• Wusun: Originally inhabiting the Ili River Valley, they declined after being defeated by the Rouran in the early 5th century.
• Yueban: Located southeast of Lake Balkhash, they sent envoys to the Northern Wei but were later absorbed into the Rouran sphere.

Characteristics of Historical Evolution

• Northern Wei Strategy for the Western Regions: Combined military garrisons (e.g., Yanqi Garrison) with indirect control (e.g., Western Rong Commandant), but its rule was unstable due to constraints imposed by the Rouran.
• Rouran Influence: Controlled Yanqi, Kucha, and other areas in the mid-5th century, disrupting direct contact between the Northern Wei and the states of the Western Regions.
• Cultural Fusion: City-states like Kucha and Khotan became hubs of diverse civilizations, while Han Chinese regimes like Gaochang promoted agricultural garrisons and the westward spread of Chinese administrative practices.