Three Qins
Encyclopedia
The Three Qins refer to three of the Eighteen Kingdoms, formed from the division of the empire after the collapse of the Qin Dynasty
in 206 BC. The three kingdoms are located in Guanzhong
(in present-day central Shaanxi
), the heartland of the Qin Empire.
Originally, according to a promise by King Huai II of Chu
, Guanzhong belonged to Liu Bang, because Liu was the first to capture Guanzhong and end the Qin Dynasty. However, Xiang Yu ignored the promise and relocated Liu to another fief, Kingdom of Han, which was located in present-day Sichuan
. Guanzhong was granted to three former Qin generals, who surrendered to Xiang Yu after the Battle of Julu
. The three kingdoms are collectively known as the Three Qins, because they occupied the heartland of the former Qin state
.
The Three Qins are listed as follows:
In the autumn of 206 BC, Liu Bang's general Han Xin
made a surprise attack on the Kingdom of Yong and defeated Zhang Han. Following that, Sima Xin and Dong Yi surrendered to Liu. By 205 BC, the Three Qins became part of Liu's Kingdom of Han (later known as the Han Dynasty
).
In present-day China
, "Three Qins" is used as an abbreviation
for Shaanxi province.
Qin Dynasty
The Qin Dynasty was the first imperial dynasty of China, lasting from 221 to 207 BC. The Qin state derived its name from its heartland of Qin, in modern-day Shaanxi. The strength of the Qin state was greatly increased by the legalist reforms of Shang Yang in the 4th century BC, during the Warring...
in 206 BC. The three kingdoms are located in Guanzhong
Guanzhong
Guanzhong , or Guanzhong Plain, is a historical region of China corresponding to the lower valley of the Wei River. It is called Guanzhong or 'within the passes' to distinguish it from 'Guandong' or 'east of the pass', that is, the North China Plain. The North China Plain is bordered on the west by...
(in present-day central Shaanxi
Shaanxi
' is a province in the central part of Mainland China, and it includes portions of the Loess Plateau on the middle reaches of the Yellow River in addition to the Qinling Mountains across the southern part of this province...
), the heartland of the Qin Empire.
Originally, according to a promise by King Huai II of Chu
Emperor Yi of Chu
Emperor Yi of Chu , also known as King Huai II of Chu , personal name Xiong Xin was the ruler of the Chu state during the late Qin Dynasty...
, Guanzhong belonged to Liu Bang, because Liu was the first to capture Guanzhong and end the Qin Dynasty. However, Xiang Yu ignored the promise and relocated Liu to another fief, Kingdom of Han, which was located in present-day Sichuan
Sichuan
' , known formerly in the West by its postal map spellings of Szechwan or Szechuan is a province in Southwest China with its capital in Chengdu...
. Guanzhong was granted to three former Qin generals, who surrendered to Xiang Yu after the Battle of Julu
Battle of Julu
The Battle of Julu was fought in Julu in 207 BC primarily between Qin forces led by Zhang Han, and Chu rebels led by Xiang Yu. Xiang Yu emerged victorious, defeating a large Qin army with a small number of soldiers...
. The three kingdoms are collectively known as the Three Qins, because they occupied the heartland of the former Qin state
Qin (state)
The State of Qin was a Chinese feudal state that existed during the Spring and Autumn and Warring States Periods of Chinese history...
.
The Three Qins are listed as follows:
- Yong (雍), ruled by Zhang Han, occupying present-day central Shaanxi
- Sai (塞), ruled by Sima XinSima XinSima Xin was a military general of the Qin Dynasty. He surrendered to Xiang Yu after the Battle of Julu in 207 BC. In 206 BC, following the collapse of the Qin Dynasty, he was conferred the title of "King of Sai" by Xiang and given part of the lands in Guanzhong as his fief when the latter split...
, occupying present-day northeastern Shaanxi - Zhai (翟), ruled by Dong YiDong Yi (Qin Dynasty)Dong Yi was a military general of the Qin Dynasty. He surrendered to Xiang Yu after the Battle of Julu in 207 BC. In 206 BC, following the collapse of the Qin Dynasty, he was conferred the title of "King of Di" by Xiang and given part of the lands in Guanzhong as his fief when the latter split the...
, occupying present-day northern Shaanxi
In the autumn of 206 BC, Liu Bang's general Han Xin
Hán Xìn
Han Xin was a military general who served Liu Bang during the Chu–Han contention and contributed greatly to the founding of the Han Dynasty...
made a surprise attack on the Kingdom of Yong and defeated Zhang Han. Following that, Sima Xin and Dong Yi surrendered to Liu. By 205 BC, the Three Qins became part of Liu's Kingdom of Han (later known as the Han Dynasty
Han Dynasty
The Han Dynasty was the second imperial dynasty of China, preceded by the Qin Dynasty and succeeded by the Three Kingdoms . It was founded by the rebel leader Liu Bang, known posthumously as Emperor Gaozu of Han. It was briefly interrupted by the Xin Dynasty of the former regent Wang Mang...
).
In present-day China
People's Republic of China
China , officially the People's Republic of China , is the most populous country in the world, with over 1.3 billion citizens. Located in East Asia, the country covers approximately 9.6 million square kilometres...
, "Three Qins" is used as an abbreviation
Abbreviation
An abbreviation is a shortened form of a word or phrase. Usually, but not always, it consists of a letter or group of letters taken from the word or phrase...
for Shaanxi province.