Former Liang (前涼)
西平, 涼
320–376
Former Liang in the northwest
Former Liang in the northwest
StatusVassal of Eastern Jin, Han Zhao, Later Zhao, Former Qin
CapitalGuzang
GovernmentMonarchy
Prince 
 320–324
Zhang Mao
 324–346
Zhang Jun
 346–353
Zhang Chonghua
 353–355
Zhang Zuo
 355–363
Zhang Xuanjing
 364–376
Zhang Tianxi
History 
 Zhang Gui's creation as Duke of Xiping
4 March 314[1][2]
 Zhang Mao's issuance of general pardon, usually viewed as establishment
320
 Zhang Mao's acceptance of Prince of Liang title
323
 Zhang Zuo's formal rejection of Eastern Jin suzerainty
354
 Zhang Xuanjing's formal acceptance of Eastern Jin suzerainty
361
 Disestablished
26 September[3][4] 376
 Zhang Tianxi's death
406
CurrencyChinese coin, Chinese cash (Wu Zhu)
Preceded by
Succeeded by
Eastern Jin
Former Qin
Today part ofChina
Kyrgyzstan
Mongolia

The Former Liang (Chinese: 前涼; pinyin: Qián Liáng; 320–376) was a dynastic state, one of the Sixteen Kingdoms, in Chinese history. It was founded by the Zhang family of the Han ethnicity. Its territories included present-day Gansu and parts of Ningxia, Shaanxi, Qinghai and Xinjiang.

All rulers of the Former Liang remained largely titularly under the court of the Eastern Jin dynasty as the Duke of Xiping except Zhang Zuo who proclaimed himself wang (prince/king). However, at times the other Former Liang rulers also used the wang title when imposed on them when they were forced to submit to their powerful neighbour states—initially the Han-Zhao, then the Later Zhao, and finally the Former Qin.

The official year of Former Liang's establishment is up to interpretation, as the early rulers did not explicitly declare their independence. Among the commonly accepted years are 301 (when Zhang Gui became Inspector of Liang province and gradually gained autonomy over the region), 318 (when Zhang Shi continued to use Emperor Min of Jin's reign era, Jianxing, despite Emperor Yuan changing it) and 320 (when Zhang Mao declared a general amnesty in his domain).

In 327, the Gaochang commandery was created by the Former Liang under Zhang Jun. After this, significant Han settlement occurred in Gaochang, a major, large part of the population becoming Han.[5]

In 376, the final ruler of Former Liang Zhang Tianxi surrendered to Former Qin, ending the state. However, in the aftermath of Former Qin's defeat at the Battle of Fei River in 383 and Emperor Fu Jian's death in 385, the general Lü Guang who controlled of the region declared his own era name for 386, thus establishing the Later Liang.

Also in 386, Zhang Tianxi's son Zhang Dayu 張大豫 claimed governorship of Liang province, and tried to re-establish Former Liang with the aid of Wang Mu (王穆), who was the Colonel of the Chang River Regiment (長水校尉) under Former Qin. In the autumn of 387 however, Lü Guang defeated and executed Zhang Dayu.

Rulers of the Former Liang

Posthumous names Family names and given name Durations of reigns Era names and their according durations
Cheng Zhang Mao 320–324 Yongyuan 永元 320–324
Zhongcheng Zhang Jun 324–346 Taiyuan 太元 324–346
Huan Zhang Chonghua 346–353 Yongle 永樂 346–353
Zhang Yaoling 353
King Wei Zhang Zuo 353–355 Jin era names
Jingdao Zhang Xuanjing 355–363 Jin era names
Dao Zhang Tianxi 364–376 Taiqing 太清 364–376

Rulers family tree

Former Liang rulers family tree
Zhang Gui 张轨 (255–314)
Wǔwáng 武王
(r. 301–314)
Zhang Shi 张寔 (d. 320)
Míngwáng 明王 / Zhāowáng 昭王
(r. 314–320)
Zhang Mao 張茂 (276–324)
Chenglie 成烈 / Cheng 成
r. (320–)323–324
Zhang Jun 張駿 (307–346)
Wen 文 / Zhongcheng 忠成
r. 324–346
Zhang Zuo 张祚 (d. 355)
Wei
(r. 353–355)
Zhang Chonghua 張重華 (327–353)
Jinglie 敬烈 / Huan 桓
r. 346–353
Zhang Tianxi 張天錫 (346–406)
Dao 悼
(r. 363–376)
Zhang Yaoling 張曜靈 (344–355)
Ai 哀
(r. 353–355)
Zhang Xuanjing 張玄靖 (350–363)
Jingdao 敬悼 / Chong 沖
r. 355–363
Zhang Dayu 张大豫
d. 387; r. 386–387

See also

References

  1. "中央研究院網站".
  2. Zizhi Tongjian, vol. 89.
  3. "中央研究院網站".
  4. Zizhi Tongjian, vol. 104.
  5. Society for the Study of Chinese Religions (U.S.), Indiana University, Bloomington. East Asian Studies Center (2002). Journal of Chinese religions, Issues 30-31. the University of California: Society for the Study of Chinese Religions. p. 24. Retrieved May 17, 2011.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
    Society for the Study of Chinese Religions (U.S.), Indiana University, Bloomington. East Asian Studies Center (2002). Journal of Chinese religions, Issues 30-31. the University of California: Society for the Study of Chinese Religions. p. 24. Retrieved May 17, 2011.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
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