Northern Liang: Map & History
The Northern Liang was a dynastic state of China and one of the Sixteen Kingdoms in Chinese history.
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The Northern Liang was a dynastic state of China and one of the Sixteen Kingdoms in Chinese history. It was ruled by the Juqu (沮渠) family of Lushuihu ethnicity, though they are sometimes categorized as Xiongnu in some historiographies. Although Duan Ye of Han ethnicity was initially enthroned as the Northern Liang ruler with support from the Juqu clan, Duan was subsequently overthrown in 401 and Juqu Mengxun was proclaimed monarch.
Modern Countries Once Part of Northern Liang
At its mapped extent, Northern Liang 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 Northern Liang'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.
Northern Liang in Depth
History
For most of its existence, the Northern Liang dynasty was ruled by the Juqu house of Lushuihu ethnicity. The Lushuihu, or "Lu River Barbarians" were an ethnic group whose origin is still debated by scholars today. Theories range from them being a branch of the Xiongnu people, to them being descendants of the Lesser Yuezhi that intermingled with the Qiang. The Juqu, in particular, were a Lushuihu tribe based in Linsong Commandery (臨松郡; in modern-day Zhangye, Gansu). Their ancestors once served under the Xiongnu empire under the title of "Juqu" of the Right of Xiongnu (匈奴左沮渠), which they then adopted as their family name. The Juqu eventually submitted to the Han dynasty, and centuries later found themselves serving under the Di-led Later Liang dynasty.
Sections adapted from Wikipedia: Northern Liang (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Northern Liang Map Over Time
Dated world maps on which Northern Liang appears, with the other states of the time.
Northern Liang Timeline
Key historical inflections from foundation to peak territorial expansion
Expansion to peak recorded area of 119,670 km² in 399 CE.
Northern Liang: Frequently Asked Questions
When did Northern Liang exist?
Northern Liang is dated to 397 CE – 440 CE, in the Classical Antiquity era.
What was the capital of Northern Liang?
The capital of Northern Liang was Jiankang (397–398), Zhangye (398–412), Guzang (412–439), Jiuquan (440–441), Dunhuang (441–442).
How large was Northern Liang at its peak?
At its peak in 399 AD Northern Liang covered about 119,670 km².