chiefdom · China, Tibet and Mongolia

Bozhou Chiefdom

876 CE – 1600 CE (approx.) · capital Hailongtun

The hereditary domain of the Yang family in northern Guizhou, which ruled for seven centuries as a native chieftaincy under Chinese dynasties until its destruction in 1600.

Origins

According to family tradition, Yang Duan, a man from Taiyuan, recovered Bozhou, around modern Zunyi, from Nanzhao forces in 876 and was granted hereditary authority over it. His descendants ruled the mountainous region as local lords, accepting nominal titles from successive Chinese courts.

Rule and society

The Yang lords governed a mixed population of Han settlers and Miao, Gelao and other peoples as tusi, native chieftains who paid tribute and supplied troops while running their own affairs. The Song, Yuan and Ming dynasties confirmed their titles. During the Mongol wars the Southern Song built the mountain fortress of Hailongtun in 1257, later the seat of the Yang family.

Decline and legacy

Yang Yinglong rebelled against the Ming Empire in 1589. In 1600 a large Ming army under Li Hualong stormed Hailongtun and Yang Yinglong killed himself. The chieftaincy was abolished and replaced by regular prefectures under direct imperial rule.

Connections (3)

  • Bozhou Chiefdom paid tribute to Song Dynasty960 CE – 1279 CE
  • Bozhou Chiefdom was a vassal of Ming Empire1372 CE – 1600 CE
  • Bozhou Chiefdom was conquered by Ming Empire1600 CE

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Cite this page
APA
The Epoch Institute. (2026). Bozhou Chiefdom. In The Epoch Institute States Register. https://the-epoch-institute.org/state/bozhou-chiefdom
MLA
“Bozhou Chiefdom.” The Epoch Institute States Register, The Epoch Institute, 2026, https://the-epoch-institute.org/state/bozhou-chiefdom. Accessed .
Chicago
The Epoch Institute. “Bozhou Chiefdom.” The Epoch Institute States Register. 2026. https://the-epoch-institute.org/state/bozhou-chiefdom.
Harvard
The Epoch Institute (2026) ‘Bozhou Chiefdom’, The Epoch Institute States Register. Available at: https://the-epoch-institute.org/state/bozhou-chiefdom (Accessed: ).

Last reviewed October 2026Random state ↻