Shu Han: Map & History
Shu Han is mapped in the atlas for 224 CE – 262 CE, with a peak mapped extent of about 880,369 km².
Wikipedia Encyclopedic Compendium
Historiographical synthesis & structured realm registry
Han (漢; 221–263 AD), known in historiography as Shu Han (蜀漢 ) or Ji Han (季漢 "Junior Han"), or often shortened to Shu (Chinese: 蜀; pinyin: Shǔ; Sichuanese Pinyin: Su2 < Middle Chinese: *źjowk < Eastern Han Chinese: *dźok), was a dynastic state of China and one of the three major states that competed for supremacy over China in the Three Kingdoms period. The state was based in the area around present-day Hanzhong, Sichuan, Chongqing, Yunnan, Guizhou, and north Guangxi, an area historically referred to as "Shu" based on the name of the past ancient kingdom of Shu, which also occupied this approximate geographical area. Its core territory also coincided with Liu Bang's Kingdom of Han, the precursor of the Han dynasty.
Modern Countries Once Part of Shu Han
At its mapped extent, Shu Han covered territory in 1 present-day country. The period shown is when the mapped borders include that country, and the note says how much of it.
States and Provinces
Largest Present-Day Cities in Its Territory
Each opens on the live map inside Shu Han's borders of that time.
Derived by testing mapped cities against this polity's dated territorial polygons, so the list is indicative and follows the borders in the source dataset.
Shu Han in Depth
History
Towards the end of the Eastern Han dynasty, Liu Bei, a warlord and distant relative of the Han imperial clan, rallied the support of many capable followers. Following the counsel of his advisor, Zhuge Liang, and Zhuge's Longzhong Plan, Liu Bei conquered parts of Jing Province (covering present-day Hubei and Hunan) in 208 and 209, took over Yi Province (covering present-day Sichuan and Chongqing) from the warlord Liu Zhang between 212 and 214, and wrestled control of Hanzhong from his rival, Cao Cao, in 219. Afterwards, Liu Bei proclaimed himself King of Hanzhong.
From the territories he gained, Liu Bei established a position for himself in China during the final years of the Han dynasty.
Economy
Shu was not merely a nation at war. During peacetime, the Shu state began many irrigation and road-building projects designed to improve the economy. Many of these public works still exist and are widely used. For example, the Zipingpu Dam is still present near Chengdu, Sichuan. These works helped improve the economy of southwestern China, and can be seen as the beginning of economic activity in Sichuan. It also promoted trade with southern China, which was then ruled by Eastern Wu.
Sections adapted from Wikipedia: Shu Han (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Shu Han: Key Facts
| Religion | Taoism |
|---|---|
| Form of government | monarchy |
| Currency | ancient Chinese coinage |
| Founded | 221 CE |
| Dissolved | 263 CE |
Preceded by
- Eastern Han
Succeeded by
Facts from Wikidata Q320925 (CC0).
Shu Han Timeline
Key historical inflections from foundation to peak territorial expansion
Expansion to peak recorded area of 880,369 km² in 230 CE.
Shu Han: Frequently Asked Questions
When did Shu Han exist?
Shu Han is dated to 224 CE – 262 CE, in the Classical Antiquity era.
What was the capital of Shu Han?
The capital of Shu Han was Chengdu.
How large was Shu Han at its peak?
At its peak in 230 AD Shu Han covered about 880,369 km².