Person

Wang Jian (Former Shu)

847–918 · 9th century · Also known as Emperor Gaozu of Former Shu

Wang Jian was a soldier of humble origin who rose in the Tang army and became military governor in Sichuan, taking Chengdu in 891. After the Tang fell in 907 he proclaimed himself emperor of Former Shu. His wealthy state gave refuge to scholars and poets fleeing the north. His tomb at Chengdu survives with fine stone carvings.

Wang Jian (Former Shu)
Image: Augusthaiho · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Mentioned in 1 state history

Former Shu

See also

Cite this entry
APA
The Epoch Institute. (2026). Wang Jian (Former Shu). In The Epoch Institute Encyclopedia. https://the-epoch-institute.org/encyclopedia/wang-jian-former-shu
MLA
“Wang Jian (Former Shu).” The Epoch Institute Encyclopedia, The Epoch Institute, 2026, https://the-epoch-institute.org/encyclopedia/wang-jian-former-shu. Accessed .
Chicago
The Epoch Institute. “Wang Jian (Former Shu).” The Epoch Institute Encyclopedia. 2026. https://the-epoch-institute.org/encyclopedia/wang-jian-former-shu.
Harvard
The Epoch Institute (2026) ‘Wang Jian (Former Shu)’, The Epoch Institute Encyclopedia. Available at: https://the-epoch-institute.org/encyclopedia/wang-jian-former-shu (Accessed: ).

Last reviewed October 2026Random entry ↻