Quan (state)
Encyclopedia
The State of Quán was a small Zhou Dynasty
(1046–256 BCE) vassal state of Central China. A marquessate (侯), its rulers were descendants of Shang Dynasty
(c. 1600–1046 BCE) ruler Wu Ding
with the surname Zi (子). Quan was founded by Wen Ding
’s son Quan Wending (权文丁) in the area of modern day Maliang Town (马良镇), Shayang County
, Jingmen City, Hubei Province, next to what would later emerge as the State of Chu
.
(c. 2070–1600 BCE) and Shang Dynasties, China was divided into the Nine Provinces (China) at which time Jingmen City was classified as part of Jingzhou
.
In the 11th century BCE the Duke of Zhou
received orders from King Cheng of Zhou
to announce an edict concerning descendants of the royal Ji (姬) family. They were given land in the Shihui Bridge (拾回桥) area of Shayang County where they established the State of Ran (冉国), also known as the State of Na (那国) and the State of Quan. The initial ruler of Quan was given the title “First Duke of Quan” (权甲公 pinyin: Quán Jiǎ Gōng). The history of both Ran and Quan during the Western Zhou Dynasty (1066–771 BCE) is not recorded.
At the beginning of the Spring and Autumn Period (771 BCE) Chu’s power was in the ascendant and the state gradually expanded southwards. Chu rulers Xiong E (熊鄂) and Ruo’Ao (若敖) (799–764 BCE) were anxious to expand southwards but this would require the overthrow of the State of Ran and bring the Zhou court onto the doorstep of Chu.
During the reign of King Huan of Zhou
, in 704 BCE King Wu of Chu
attacked the State of Sui
at the Battle of Suqi near modern day Suizhou
(速杞之战). This was only one part of the Kings military campaign and he subsequently invaded Quan, overthrowing it’s 22nd generation leader with the surname Zi, Duke Gui of Quan (权归公). Thereafter King Wu established a county within Quan’s former borders and installed his minister Dou Min (斗缗) as magistrate.
Zhou Dynasty
The Zhou Dynasty was a Chinese dynasty that followed the Shang Dynasty and preceded the Qin Dynasty. Although the Zhou Dynasty lasted longer than any other dynasty in Chinese history, the actual political and military control of China by the Ji family lasted only until 771 BC, a period known as...
(1046–256 BCE) vassal state of Central China. A marquessate (侯), its rulers were descendants of Shang Dynasty
Shang Dynasty
The Shang Dynasty or Yin Dynasty was, according to traditional sources, the second Chinese dynasty, after the Xia. They ruled in the northeastern regions of the area known as "China proper" in the Yellow River valley...
(c. 1600–1046 BCE) ruler Wu Ding
Wu Ding
Wu Ding was a Shang Dynasty King of China.His is the first historically verifiable name in the history of Chinese dynasties...
with the surname Zi (子). Quan was founded by Wen Ding
Wen Ding
Wen Ding was king of the Shang Dynasty of China from 1112 BC to 1102 BC. Another name Da Ding , and his given name is Tuo .According to Bamboo Annals, His capial was at Yin or Zimou ....
’s son Quan Wending (权文丁) in the area of modern day Maliang Town (马良镇), Shayang County
Shayang County
Shayang County is a county west-central Hubei province in central China. Administratively, it is within the prefecture-level city of Jingmen. The county is located south of the Jingmen city proper, west of the Han River, and north of the Chang Lake .The county seat is a town of the same name ,...
, Jingmen City, Hubei Province, next to what would later emerge as the State of Chu
Chu (state)
The State of Chu was a Zhou Dynasty vassal state in present-day central and southern China during the Spring and Autumn period and Warring States Period . Its ruling house had the surname Nai , and clan name Yan , later evolved to surname Mi , and clan name Xiong...
.
History
During the XiaXia Dynasty
The Xia Dynasty is the first dynasty in China to be described in ancient historical chronicles such as Bamboo Annals, Classic of History and Records of the Grand Historian. The Xia Dynasty was established by the legendary Yu the Great after Shun, the last of the Five Emperors gave his throne to him...
(c. 2070–1600 BCE) and Shang Dynasties, China was divided into the Nine Provinces (China) at which time Jingmen City was classified as part of Jingzhou
Jingzhou
Jingzhou is a prefecture-level city in Hubei Province, People's Republic of China. The city is located on the banks of the Yangtze River.Its population is 5,691,707 at the 2010 census whom 1,154,086 in the built up area made of 3 urban districts.-Geography:Jingzhou occupies an area of...
.
In the 11th century BCE the Duke of Zhou
Duke of Zhou
The Duke of Zhou played a major role in consolidating the newly-founded Zhou Dynasty . He was the brother of King Wu of Zhou, the first king of the ancient Chinese Zhou Dynasty...
received orders from King Cheng of Zhou
King Cheng of Zhou
King Cheng of Zhou or King Ch'eng of Chou was the second sovereign of the Chinese Zhou Dynasty. The dates of his reign are 1042-1021 BC or 1042/35-1006 BC King Cheng was young when he ascended the throne...
to announce an edict concerning descendants of the royal Ji (姬) family. They were given land in the Shihui Bridge (拾回桥) area of Shayang County where they established the State of Ran (冉国), also known as the State of Na (那国) and the State of Quan. The initial ruler of Quan was given the title “First Duke of Quan” (权甲公 pinyin: Quán Jiǎ Gōng). The history of both Ran and Quan during the Western Zhou Dynasty (1066–771 BCE) is not recorded.
At the beginning of the Spring and Autumn Period (771 BCE) Chu’s power was in the ascendant and the state gradually expanded southwards. Chu rulers Xiong E (熊鄂) and Ruo’Ao (若敖) (799–764 BCE) were anxious to expand southwards but this would require the overthrow of the State of Ran and bring the Zhou court onto the doorstep of Chu.
During the reign of King Huan of Zhou
King Huan of Zhou
King Huan of Zhou was the fourteenth sovereign of the Chinese Zhou Dynasty and the second of the Eastern Zhou Dynasty.-Personal information: Family name Jī Given name Lín Era name none Grandfather...
, in 704 BCE King Wu of Chu
King Wu of Chu
King Wu of Chu was a ruler of the Zhou Dynasty vassal State of Chu during the Spring and Autumn Period of Chinese history. He was the second son of Xiao'ao , and brother of former ruler Fenmao whom he is rumored to have murdered in 740 BCE in order to usurp the throne.-Biographical sketch:King Wu...
attacked the State of Sui
Sui (state)
The State of Suí was a Zhou Dynasty vassal state located in Hubei Province, China during the Spring and Autumn and Warring States Periods located in the Han River Basin...
at the Battle of Suqi near modern day Suizhou
Suizhou
Suizhou , formerly Sui County , is a prefecture-level city in Hubei province of Central China.-Administration:The prefecture-level city of Suizhou administers 2 county-level divisions, including 1 district and 1 county-level city....
(速杞之战). This was only one part of the Kings military campaign and he subsequently invaded Quan, overthrowing it’s 22nd generation leader with the surname Zi, Duke Gui of Quan (权归公). Thereafter King Wu established a county within Quan’s former borders and installed his minister Dou Min (斗缗) as magistrate.