Background Prior to the establishment of the protectorate, there was a preceding post known as the "Colonel [for the Assistance of Imperial] Envoys" that was established a year after the
War of the Heavenly Horses ended in 101 BC. After the war, Han posts were erected between
Dunhuang and the Salt Marsh with several hundred farmer soldiers stationed at
Lúntái and Qúlí. The post was established to guard their farmland and to take care of grain storage for Han envoys traveling to other states. During the
Han–Xiongnu War, the Chinese empire established a military garrison at this place., in present
Luntai County. The Chinese sought to control the Western Regions to keep the
Xiongnu away from
Inner China, and to control the valuable
Silk Road trade that passed through the area. The local inhabitants of the Western Regions were diverse, and the area contained several groups who originated in Western
Eurasia and/or spoke
Indo-European languages. These groups included
Tocharian-speaking city-states like
Ārśi (Arshi; later Agni/Karasahr),
Kuča (Kucha),
Gumo (later Aksu),
Turfan (Turpan), and
Loulan (Krorän/Korla). Additionally, residents of the oasis city-states of
Khotan and
Kashgar spoke
Saka, one of the
Eastern Iranian languages.
Establishment The position of protector-general was officially established in 59 or 60 BCE after the
Southern Xiongnu ruler Bi, the Rizhu King of the Right, submitted to the Han dynasty. Rizhu was bestowed the title of Marquis of Allegiance to Imperial Authority while
Zheng Ji, the envoy who received him, was commissioned to act as protector-general of both the Northern and Southern routes. Another account states that the post of protector-general had already been established by 64 BC and Zheng Ji was sent out to meet Rizhu, who led over 10,000 Xiongnu to submit to Han authority. Under the protector-general was a deputy colonel of the Western Regions. Wūlěi is situated is 350
lǐ east of
Kucha and 330
lǐ north to Qúlí 渠犁 (
Minimal Old Chinese *ga-rî/ri,
Later Han ), itself on the east of a river and 580
lǐ east of Kucha. It was the highest Han dynasty military position in the west during its existence. During the peak of the protectorate's power in 51 BCE, the
Wusun nation was brought under Han submission. Ban Chao was succeeded by
Ren Shang and
Duan Xi. On 29 July 107, a series of
Qiang uprisings in the areas of
Hexi Corridor and
Guanzhong. Duan Xi was killed and the post was abandoned. The protectorate was later restored from 123 to 124 by the son of Ban Chao,
Ban Yong. The protectorate was again revived in 335 by
Former Liang and headquartered in
Gaochang until the demise of
Northern Liang. In the 7th century, a successor administration, the
Protectorate General to Pacify the West was established by the
Tang dynasty at
Xizhou (Turpan) and was later moved to Kucha. == Localisation ==