Dangqu Commandery

Dangqu Commandery (宕渠郡) was an administrative commandery of imperial China located in what is now eastern Sichuan Province, along the upper reaches of the Qu River. It was established during the late Eastern Han dynasty or early Three Kingdoms period as part of a reorganization of the frontier zone between Hanzhong and Baxi Commandery. The commandery played a significant military role during the campaigns between Shu Han and Cao Wei, especially in the early 3rd century. Dangqu remained in use under the Western Jin and Southern dynasties until it was abolished by the Sui dynasty in 589 CE.

Geography and counties

Dangqu was located in a mountainous region along the upper Qu River and served as a critical corridor between the Sichuan Basin and the Han River valley. It administered several frontier counties, including:

Eastern Han and Three Kingdoms

Dangqu Commandery was likely established in the late 2nd or early 3rd century as military tensions grew between warlords in Sichuan and the Han River basin. It was formed by detaching eastern counties from Baxi Commandery and southern territories from Hanzhong Commandery.

In 217 CE, during the Hanzhong Campaign, Dangqu became a battleground between the forces of Zhang Fei of Shu Han and Zhang He of Cao Wei. The two armies clashed near Baqiao (巴橋), with Zhang Fei ultimately routing Zhang He after a prolonged standoff in the mountains. The battle helped secure Shu's eastern frontier and contributed to the eventual capture of Hanzhong.Chen Shou. ''Records of the Three Kingdoms'', vol. 36, Biography of Zhang Fei.

Following Shu’s consolidation of the region, Dangqu was retained as a distinct commandery due to its military value. It served as a forward base for monitoring Di tribal activity and for defending against any northern incursions from the Han River corridor.

Jin and Southern dynasties

After the fall of Shu Han in 263 CE, Dangqu passed to Cao Wei, and then to the Western Jin. Under Jin administration, it was placed under Yizhou Province and maintained as a secondary frontier commandery. Population declined during the wars of the 4th century, and many Di tribes migrated into the region.

During the Southern dynasties, Dangqu became increasingly autonomous. Local clans and tribal leaders held official titles, often passing office hereditarily. By the 6th century, only a few counties remained under formal control.

Sui dynasty reform

The Sui dynasty abolished Dangqu Commandery in 589 CE during its restructuring of the imperial bureaucracy. Its territory was incorporated into Lizhou (利州) and surrounding prefectures. The name Dangqu faded from administrative use but survived in local place names.

Military significance

Due to its mountainous terrain and control over passes into the Sichuan Basin, Dangqu played a crucial role in the military geography of the Three Kingdoms era. It formed part of Shu’s outer defensive arc along with Hanzhong, Jiange Pass, and Baxi Commandery.

Archaeology

* Han–Shu tombs near Xuanhan have yielded stamped bricks and iron weapons
* A stone stele fragment at Baqiao references grain transport orders under General Zhang Fei
* Mountain watchtower foundations have been identified along the Qu River route

See also

* Baxi Commandery
* Hanzhong Commandery
* Zhang Fei
* Zhang He
* Three Kingdoms

References

{{Reflist

Former commanderies of China