List of provinces and commanderies of the Han dynasty explained

Local governments in the Han dynasty (202 BC – 220 AD) consisted of three levels of administrative divisions: provinces (cishibu 刺史部, or zhou), commanderies (jun) and counties (xian). The early Han dynasty inherited a two-tiered system of government composed of commanderies and counties from the Warring States (5th century BC – 221 BC) and the Qin dynasty (221 BC – 206 BC), while 13 provinces were created on top of the existing hierarchy in 106 BC.

In each province, the central government assigned an Inspector (cishi, 刺史) to audit the administration of commanderies and kingdoms, from 106 BC to 1 BC and from 42 AD to 188 AD. In other periods, the position was replaced by a Governor (mu, 牧, literally "shepherd"), a higher-ranked official. A commandery was under a Commandery Administrator (junshou, 郡守, before 148 BC) or a Grand Administrator (taishou, 太守, after 148 BC). A county was governed by a Magistrate (ling, 令, for larger counties) or a Chief (zhang, 長, for smaller counties), who were the lowest local officials directly appointed by the central government. A special type of county, known as march (dao, 道), was used to administer certain areas with "barbarian" populations, especially on the frontiers of the empire.

In early Han dynasty, chief followers and relatives of the emperor were granted kingdoms. However, independence of the kings gradually diminished. After the failed Rebellion of the Seven States, drastic measures were instated to limit the power of the kings. From 145 BC onward, the central government controlled the appointment of all important officials in the kingdoms. Larger kingdoms were divided, and eventually the government of a kingdom became identical to that of a commandery. For example, the Chancellor (xiang, 相) was equivalent to a Grand Administrator. Similarly, marquessates were administered in the same way as counties.

By the end of the Western Han dynasty, the empire had 103 kingdoms and commanderies, as well as 1,587 counties. The Eastern Han census in 140 AD documented 99 kingdoms and commanderies, and 1,179 counties.

Provinces

There were 13 provinces in the Han Empire. The capital region, although similar to a province in size, was not assigned an Inspector, but was instead inspected by the Colonel Director of Retainers (Sili xiaowei, 司隸校尉). The region was therefore often known as "Sili".

During the Western Han dynasty, the Inspectors were agents of the central government, and did not permanently reside in the provinces. The Inspectors/Governors were transferred to the local government only in 35 AD.

Apart from the capital region, the 13 provinces are:

ProvinceExtent
Yuzhou豫州S. and E. Henan, N. Anhui, N. Jiangsu, SW. Shandong
Jizhou冀州S. Hebei
Yanzhou兗州W. Shandong, NE. Henan
Qingzhou青州N. and E. Shandong, SE. Hebei
Xuzhou徐州N. Jiangsu, NE. Anhui, SE. Shandong
Jingzhou荊州S. Henan, Hubei, Hunan, parts of Guangdong and Guangxi
Yangzhou揚州S. Jiangsu, S. Anhui, Zhejiang, Fujian, parts of Henan and Hubei
Yizhou益州Sichuan, Chongqing, Yunnan, Guizhou, S. Shaanxi, parts of Hubei and Gansu
Liangzhou涼州Gansu, Ningxia, NE. Qinghai
Bingzhou并州Shanxi, parts of Shaanxi and Inner Mongolia
Shuofang朔方N. Shaanxi, Ordos and Hetao regions in Inner Mongolia
Youzhou幽州N. Hebei, Beijing, Tianjin, Liaoning, northern Korea
Jiaozhi交趾Northern and central Vietnam, Guangxi, Guangdong, SE. Fujian

Commanderies

CommanderySeatFirst established
Last dissolved
Population
(2 AD census)[1]
No. of counties
(Book of Han)
Population
(140 AD census)[2]
No. of counties
(Book of Later Han)
Province
NameChineseNameChinese
Jingzhao
京兆Chang'an長安data-sort-value="-104" 104 BC682,46812285,57410Sili
Zuopingyi
左馮翊Chang'an →
Gaoling
長安
高陵
data-sort-value="-104" 104 BC917,82224145,19513Sili
Youfufeng
右扶風Chang'an →
Huaili
長安
槐里
data-sort-value="-104" 104 BC836,0702193,09115Sili
Weinan渭南data-sort-value="-206" 206 BCdata-sort-value="-198" 198 BC
Heshang河上data-sort-value="-206" 206 BCdata-sort-value="-198" 198 BC
Zhongdi中地data-sort-value="-205" 205 BCdata-sort-value="-198" 198 BC
Taichang
太常Chang'an長安data-sort-value="-145" c. 145 BCdata-sort-value="-41" 41 BCSili
Henan
河南Luoyang雒陽data-sort-value="-312" 4th century BC1,740,279221,010,82721Sili
Henei河內Huaidata-sort-value="-195" Emperor Gao's reign1,067,09718801,55818Sili
Hedong河東Anyi安邑data-sort-value="-221" 3rd century BC962,91224570,80320Sili
Hongnong弘農Hongnong弘農data-sort-value="-113" 113 BC475,95411199,1139Sili
Yingchuan潁川Yangdi陽翟data-sort-value="-230" 230 BC2,210,973201,436,51317Yuzhou
Runan汝南Pingyu平輿data-sort-value="-195" Emperor Gao's reign2,596,148372,100,78837Yuzhou
Xiping西平Xiping西平82 AD88 ADYuzhou
Yiyang弋陽Yiyang弋陽213 ADYuzhou
Dang/
Liang

Dang →
Suiyang

睢陽
data-sort-value="-225" 225 BC106,7528431,2839Yuzhou
PeiXiangdata-sort-value="-155" Emperor Jing's reign2,030,480371,251,393
21Yuzhou
QiaoQiao213 ADYuzhou
Huaiyang/
Chen
淮陽
Chendata-sort-value="-224" 224 BC981,4239547,572
9Yanzhou →
Yuzhou
Xue/
Lu

Ludata-sort-value="-224" 224 BC607,3816411,5906Yuzhou
WeiYedata-sort-value="-152" 152 BC909,65518695,66015Jizhou
Julu鉅鹿Julu →
Yingtao
鉅鹿
廮陶
data-sort-value="-228" 228 BC827,17720602,09615Jizhou
Guangping →
Pinggan
廣平
平干
Guangping廣平data-sort-value="-87" Emperor Wu's reign82 AD198,55816Jizhou
Guangzong廣宗data-sort-value="93" 93 ADdata-sort-value="93" 93 ADJizhou
Hengshan/
Changshan
恆山
常山
Yuanshi元氏data-sort-value="-228" 228 BC677,95618631,18413Jizhou
Zhending真定Zhending真定data-sort-value="-113" 113 BCdata-sort-value="37" 37 AD178,6164Jizhou
Zhongshan中山Lunu盧奴data-sort-value="-154" 154 BC668,08014658,19513Jizhou
Boling 博陵Boling博陵158 ADJizhou
Xindu/
Lecheng/
Anping
信都
樂成
安平
Xindu信都data-sort-value="-154" 154 BC304,38417655,11813Jizhou
Hejian河間Lecheng樂成data-sort-value="-195" Emperor Gao's reign187,6624634,42111Jizhou
Zhangwu章武Dongpingshu東平舒data-sort-value="213" c. 213 ADJizhou
Qinghe/
Ganling
清河
甘陵
Qingyang →
Ganling
清陽
甘陵
data-sort-value="-195" Emperor Gao's reign875,42214760,41817Jizhou
Guangchuan廣川Guangchuan廣川107 AD121 ADJizhou
Handan/
Zhao
邯鄲
Handan邯鄲data-sort-value="-228" 228 BC349,9524188,3815Jizhou
Bohai勃海Fuyang →
Nanpi
浮陽
南皮
data-sort-value="-165" 165 BC905,119261,106,5008Youzhou →
Jizhou
Jichuan/
Chenliu/
Jiyang
濟川
陳留
濟陽
Jiyang →
Chenliu
濟陽
陳留
data-sort-value="-144" 144 BC1,509,05017869,43317Yanzhou
DongPuyang濮陽data-sort-value="-242" 242 BC1,659,02822603,39315Yanzhou
Jiyin/
Dingtao
濟陰
定陶
Dingtao定陶data-sort-value="-144" 144 BC1,386,2789657,55411Yanzhou
Chengyang城陽Ju →
Dongwu

東武
data-sort-value="-195" Emperor Gao's reign205,7844Yanzhou →
Qingzhou
Jidong/
Dahe/
Dongping
濟東
大河
東平
Wuyan無鹽data-sort-value="-144" 144 BC607,9767448,2707Yanzhou
Rencheng任城Rencheng任城data-sort-value="84" 84 AD194,1563Yanzhou
Taishan泰山Fenggao奉高data-sort-value="-122" 122 BC726,60424437,31712Yanzhou
YingYingdata-sort-value="196" Emperor Xian's reignUnknownYanzhou
Jibei濟北Boyang →
Lu
博陽
data-sort-value="-221" Qin dynasty235,8975Yanzhou
Shanyang/
Changyi
山陽
昌邑
Changyi昌邑data-sort-value="-144" 144 BC801,28823606,09110Yanzhou
Boyang/
Jinan
濟南Boyang →
Dongpingling
博陽
東平陵
data-sort-value="-201" 201 BC642,88414453,30810Qingzhou
Pingyuan平原Pingyuan平原data-sort-value="-155" Emperor Jing's reign664,543191,002,6589Qingzhou →
Jizhou
Laoling樂陵Yanci厭次213 ADJizhou
Qiansheng/
Le'an
千乘
樂安
Qiansheng →
Linji
千乘
臨濟
data-sort-value="-110" 110 BC490,72015424,0759Qingzhou
Linzi/
Qi
臨菑
Linzi臨淄data-sort-value="-221" 221 BC554,44412491,7656Qingzhou
Beihai北海Yingling →
Ju
營陵
data-sort-value="-156" 156 BC593,15926853,60418Qingzhou
Zichuan菑川Judata-sort-value="-164" 164 BCdata-sort-value="37" 37 AD227,0313Qingzhou
Jiaoxi/
Gaomi
膠西
高密
Gaomi高密data-sort-value="-201" 201 BCdata-sort-value="37" 37 AD205,7844Qingzhou
Jiaodong膠東Jimo即墨data-sort-value="-219" 219 BCdata-sort-value="37" 37 AD323,3318Qingzhou
Donglai東萊Ye →
Huang

data-sort-value="-155" Emperor Jing's reign502,69317484,39313Qingzhou
Changguang長廣Changguang長廣198 ADUnknownQingzhou
Langya琅邪Langya →
Dongwu →
Kaiyang
琅邪
東武
開陽
data-sort-value="-221" 221 BC1,079,01051570,96713Xuzhou
Dongguan東莞Dongguan東莞198 ADXuzhou
Dong'an東安data-sort-value="196" Emperor Xian's reignUnknownXuzhou
Donghai東海Tandata-sort-value="-221" Qin dynasty1,559,35738706,41613Xuzhou
Licheng利城Licheng利城198 ADXuzhou
Changlü昌慮Changlü昌慮198 AD206 ADXuzhou
Pengcheng/
Chu
彭城
Pengcheng彭城data-sort-value="-221" Qin dynasty497,8047493,0278Xuzhou
Linhuai臨淮Xudata-sort-value="-117" 117 BCdata-sort-value="79" 79 AD1,237,76429Xuzhou
Xiapi下邳Xiapi下邳data-sort-value="72" 72 AD611,08317Xuzhou
Dongcheng東城data-sort-value="196" Emperor Xian's reignUnknownXuzhou
Dongyang/
Guangling
東陽
廣陵
Guangling廣陵data-sort-value="-195" Emperor Gao's reign140,7224410,19011Xuzhou
Sishui泗水Lingdata-sort-value="-114" 114 BC37 AD119,1143Xuzhou
Nanyang南陽Wandata-sort-value="-272" 272 BC1,942,051362,439,61837Jingzhou
Zhangling章陵Zhangling章陵data-sort-value="196" Emperor Xian's reignJingzhou
Nanxiang南鄉Nanxiang南鄉data-sort-value="196" Emperor Xian's reignJingzhou
Nan/
Linjiang/
Jiangling

臨江
江陵
Jiangling江陵data-sort-value="-278" 278 BC718,54018747,60417Jingzhou
Xiangyang襄陽Xiangyang襄陽208 ADJingzhou
Linjiang/
Yidu
臨江
宜都
Yidu宜都208 ADJingzhou
Hengshan衡山Zhudata-sort-value="-221" Qin dynastydata-sort-value="-121" 121 BC
Jiangxia江夏Xiling →
Shiyang/
Shaxian
西陵
石陽
沙羨
data-sort-value="-121" 121 BC219,21814265,46414Jingzhou
Qichun蘄春Qichun蘄春208 ADYangzhou
Xiling西陵Yangxin陽新214 ADUnknownJingzhou
Wuchang武昌Wuchang武昌220 ADJingzhou
Lingling零陵Lingling →
Quanling
零陵
泉陵
data-sort-value="-111" 111 BC139,378101,001,57810Jingzhou
Guiyang桂陽Chendata-sort-value="-195" Emperor Gao's reign156,48811501,40311Jingzhou
Wuling武陵Suo →
Linyuan

臨沅
data-sort-value="-350" 4th century BC185,75813250,91312Jingzhou
Changsha長沙Linxiang臨湘data-sort-value="-221" 221 BC235,823131,059,37212Jingzhou
Hanchang漢昌Hanchang漢昌210 ADUnknownJingzhou
Jiujiang/
Huainan
九江
淮南
Shouchun壽春data-sort-value="-223" 223 BC780,52515432,42614Yangzhou
Fuling阜陵Fuling阜陵data-sort-value="73" 73 AD206 ADYangzhou
Zhang/
Danyang

丹陽
Guzhang →
Wanling →
Jianye
故鄣
宛陵
建業
data-sort-value="-221" Qin dynasty405,17117630,54516Yangzhou
Xindu新都Shixin始新208 ADYangzhou
Linchuan臨川data-sort-value="196" Emperor Xian's reignUnknownYangzhou
Lujiang廬江Poyang鄱陽data-sort-value="-219" 219 BCdata-sort-value="-121" 121 BC
Lujiang
廬江Shu →
Wan

data-sort-value="-121" 121 BC457,33312424,68314Yangzhou
Lu'an六安Ludata-sort-value="-121" 121 BCdata-sort-value="37" 37 AD178,6165Yangzhou
Kuaiji會稽Wu
Shanyin

山陰
data-sort-value="-222" 222 BC1,032,60426481,19614Yangzhou
WuWu129 AD700,78213Yangzhou
Yuzhang豫章Nanchang南昌data-sort-value="-202" 202 BC351,965181,668,90621Yangzhou
Luling廬陵Xichang西昌195 ADYangzhou
Pengze彭澤208 ADUnknownYangzhou
Poyang鄱陽Poyang鄱陽210 ADYangzhou
Hanzhong/
Hanning
漢中
漢寧
Xicheng →
Nanzheng
西城
南鄭
data-sort-value="-312" 312 BC300,61412267,4029Yizhou
Xicheng西城Xicheng西城215 ADJingzhou
Shangyong上庸Shangyong上庸215 ADJingzhou
Fangling房陵Fangling房陵data-sort-value="215" 215 – 219 ADJingzhou
Ba/
Yongning

永寧
Jiangzhou江州data-sort-value="-316" 316 BC708,148111,086,04914Yizhou
Badong Dependent States
巴東屬國Fuling涪陵201 ADYizhou
Ba/
Baxi

巴西
Anhan →
Langzhong
安漢
閬中
195 ADYizhou
Dangqu宕渠Dangqu宕渠218 ADYizhou
Guling/
Badong
固陵
巴東
Yufu魚復195 ADYizhou
Guanghan廣漢Zitong →
Luo
梓潼
data-sort-value="-201" 201 BC662,24913509,43811Yizhou
Zitong梓潼Zitong梓潼217 ADYizhou
Guanghan Dependent States/
Yinping
廣漢屬國
陰平
Yinping陰平108 AD205,6523Yizhou
ShuChengdu成都data-sort-value="-316" 316 BC1,245,929151,350,47611Yizhou
Shu Commandery Dependent States/
Hanjia
蜀郡屬國
漢嘉
Hanjia漢嘉123 AD475,6294Yizhou
Shenli沈黎Zuodu筰都data-sort-value="-111" 111 BCdata-sort-value="-97" 97 BCYizhou
Yuesui越巂Qiongdu邛都data-sort-value="-111" 111 BC408,40515623,41811Yizhou
Wudu武都Wudu →
Xiabian
武都
下辯
data-sort-value="-111" 111 BC235,560981,7287Yizhou →
Liangzhou
Wenshan汶山Wenjiang汶江data-sort-value="-111" 111 BCYizhou
Qianwei犍為Bi →
Bodao
Wuyang

僰道
武陽
data-sort-value="-135" 135 BC489,48612411,3789Yizhou
Jiangyang江陽Jiangyang江陽213 ADYizhou
Qianwei Dependent States/
Zhuti
犍為屬國
朱提
Zhuti朱提107 AD37,1872Yizhou
Zangke牂牁Gujulan故且蘭data-sort-value="-111" 111 BC153,36017267,25316Yizhou
Yizhou益州Dianchi滇池data-sort-value="-109" 109 BC580,46324110,80217Yizhou
Yongchang永昌Suitang →
Buwei
巂唐
不韋
data-sort-value="69" 69 AD1,897,344
8Yizhou
Longxi隴西Didao →
Xiangwu →
Didao
狄道
襄武
狄道
data-sort-value="-279" 279 BC236,8241129,63711Liangzhou
Jincheng金城Jincheng →
Yunwu
金城
允吾
data-sort-value="-81" 81 BC149,6481318,94710Liangzhou
Xiping西平Xidu西都data-sort-value="196" Emperor Xian's reignLiangzhou
Tianshui/
Hanyang
天水
漢陽
Pingxiang →
Ji
平襄
data-sort-value="-114" 114 BC261,34816130,13813Liangzhou
Nan'an南安Huandao豲道188 AD214 ADLiangzhou
Yongyang永陽Shanggui上邽193 AD214 ADLiangzhou
Anding安定Gaoping
Meiyang →
Linjing
高平
美陽
臨涇
data-sort-value="-114" 114 BC143,2942129,0608Liangzhou
Xinping新平Qidata-sort-value="194" 194 ADLiangzhou
Jiuquan酒泉Lufu祿福data-sort-value="-111" Emperor Wu's reign76,726912,7069Liangzhou
Zhangye張掖Lude觻得data-sort-value="-111" Emperor Wu's reign88,7311026,0408Liangzhou
Zhangye Dependent States
張掖屬國data-sort-value="106" Emperor An's reign16,9525Liangzhou
Zhangye Juyan Dependent States/
Xihai
張掖居延屬國
西海
Juyan居延data-sort-value="106" Emperor An's reign4,7331Liangzhou
Xi西Rile日勒195 ADLiangzhou
Dunhuang敦煌Dunhuang敦煌data-sort-value="-111" Emperor Wu's reign38,335629,1706Liangzhou
Wuwei武威Guzang姑臧data-sort-value="-75" Emperor Xuan or Emperor Yuan's reign76,4191034,22614Liangzhou
Shangdang上黨Zhangzi長子data-sort-value="-403" 5th century BC337,76614127,40313Bingzhou
Leping樂平Zhandata-sort-value="215"c. 215 ADBingzhou
Taiyuan太原Jinyang晉陽data-sort-value="-247" 247 BC680,48821200,12416Bingzhou
Xinxing新興Jiuyuan九原215 ADBingzhou
Yanmen雁門Shanwu →
Yinguan
善無
陰館
data-sort-value="-300" c. 300 BC293,4541431,86214Bingzhou
DaiSanggan →
Dai →
Gaoliu
桑乾

高柳
data-sort-value="-300" c. 300 BC278,7541820,12311Bingzhou →
Youzhou
Yunzhong雲中Yunzhong雲中data-sort-value="-300" c. 300 BC215 AD173,2701126,43011Bingzhou
Dingxiang定襄Chengle成樂data-sort-value="-196" 196 BC215 AD163,1441213,5715Bingzhou
Wuyuan五原Jiuyuan九原data-sort-value="-127" 127 BC215 AD231,3281622,95710Shuofang →
Bingzhou
Shuofang朔方Shuofang →
Linrong →
Wuyuan
朔方
臨戎
五原
data-sort-value="-127" 127 BC215 AD136,628107,8436Shuofang →
Bingzhou
ShangFushi →
Ya →
Fushi →
Xiayang
膚施

膚施
夏陽
data-sort-value="-400" c. 5th century BC215 AD606,6582328,59910Shuofang →
Bingzhou
Xihe西河Pingding →
Lishi
平定
離石
data-sort-value="-125" 125 BCdata-sort-value="184" Emperor Ling's reign698,8363620,83813Shuofang →
Bingzhou
Beidi北地Maling →
Fuping →
Chiyang →
Fuping →
Duiyu
馬領
富平
池陽
富平
祋祤
data-sort-value="-271" 271 BC210,6881918,6376Shuofang →
Liangzhou
Zhuo涿Zhuo涿data-sort-value="-117" 117 BC782,76429633,7547Youzhou
Shanggu上谷Juyang沮陽data-sort-value="-283" 283 BC117,7621551,2048Youzhou
Guangyang廣陽Jidata-sort-value="-222" 222 BC70,6584280,6005Youzhou
Yuyang漁陽Yuyang漁陽data-sort-value="-283" 283 BC264,11612435,7409Youzhou
Youbeiping右北平Wuzhong →
Pinggang →
Tuyin
無終
平剛
土垠
data-sort-value="-279" c. 3rd century BC320,7801653,4754Youzhou
Liaoxi遼西Yangle陽樂data-sort-value="-279" c. 3rd century BC352,3251481,7145Youzhou
Liaodong遼東Xiangping襄平data-sort-value="-279" c. 3rd century BC272,53918Unknown11Youzhou
Liaodong Dependent States
遼東屬國Changli昌黎data-sort-value="106" Emperor An's reignUnknown6Youzhou
Xuantu (Hyŏnto)玄菟Fuzu (Pucho) →
Gaogouli (Koguryŏ)
夫租
高句驪
data-sort-value="-108" 108 BC221,845343,1636Youzhou
Lelang (Rakrang)樂浪Chaoxian (Chosŏn)朝鮮data-sort-value="-108" 108 BC406,74825257,05018Youzhou
Lintun (Imtun)臨屯Dongyi (Tongni)東暆data-sort-value="-108" 108 BCdata-sort-value="-82" 82 BCYouzhou
Zhenfan (Chinpŏn)真番Shou (Sap)data-sort-value="-108" 108 BCdata-sort-value="-82" 82 BCYouzhou
Canghai (Ch'anghae)蒼海data-sort-value="-128" 128 BCdata-sort-value="-126" 126 BCYouzhou
Daifang (Taepang)帶方Daifang (Taepang)帶方data-sort-value="213" c. 213 ADYouzhou
XiangLinchen臨塵data-sort-value="-214" 214 BCdata-sort-value="-76" 76 BCYizhou
Nanhai南海Panyu番禺data-sort-value="-214" 214 BC94,2536250,2827Jiaozhi
Cangwu蒼梧Guangxin廣信data-sort-value="-111" 111 BC146,16010466,97511Jiaozhi
Yulin鬱林Bushan布山data-sort-value="-111" 111 BC71,16212Unknown11Jiaozhi
Hepu合浦Xuwen →
Hepu
徐聞
合浦
data-sort-value="-111" 111 BC78,980586,6175Jiaozhi
Gaoxing/
Gaoliang
高興
高涼
Gaoliang →
Siping
高涼
思平
data-sort-value="168" Emperor Huan's reignJiaozhi
Jiaozhi (Giao Chỉ)交趾Leilou (Luy Lâu)
Longbian (Long Biên)

龍編
data-sort-value="-204" 204 BC746,23710Unknown12Jiaozhi
Jiuzhen (Cửu Chân)九真Xupu (Tư Phố)胥浦data-sort-value="-204" 204 BC166,0137209,8945Jiaozhi
Rinan (Nhật Nam)日南Zhuwu (Chu Ngô) →
Xiquan (Tây Quyển)
朱吾
西捲
data-sort-value="-111" 111 BC69,4855100,6765Jiaozhi
Zhuya珠崖Shendu瞫都data-sort-value="-110" 110 BCdata-sort-value="-46" 46 BCJiaozhi
Dan'er儋耳Dan'er儋耳data-sort-value="-110" 110 BCdata-sort-value="-46" 46 BCJiaozhi

See also

References

Sources

Notes and References

  1. Book of Han, Chapter 28.
  2. Book of Later Han, Chapters 110–113.