Protectorate, also known as ''Duhu Fu'' (), was a type of administrative division of the Chinese Empire, especially during the
Han and
Tang dynasties, established in frontier regions. During the Han and Tang dynasties, a protectorate was the highest government agency in frontier areas and was directly responsible to the imperial court. The protectorate governor was called duhu (literally "protectore city protector"), who needed to take charge in military operations when necessary, and provide instructions to minority tribes and small dependent states within the region. This is different from the
Jiedushi (military commissioner) position. During rebellion and wartime, the two position can be held by the same person.
Sometimes, a protectorate had subdivisions named commanderies, or ''Dudu Fu'' (). The first protectorate was the
Protectorate of the Western Regions established in 60 BCE during
Emperor Xuan's reign. It controlled the majority of
Tarim Basin and some other parts of
Central Asia after the Han dynasty defeated
Xiongnu
The Xiongnu (, ) were a tribal confederation of nomadic peoples who, according to ancient Chinese sources, inhabited the eastern Eurasian Steppe from the 3rd century BC to the late 1st century AD. Modu Chanyu, the supreme leader after 209 ...
.
Notable protectorates
Notable protectorates in Chinese history include:
*
Han dynasty:
**
Protectorate of the Western Regions
*
Tang dynasty:
**
Anxi Protectorate
**
Anbei Protectorate
**
Andong Protectorate
**
Annan Protectorate
Annan () was the southernmost administrative division of the Tang dynasty and Wu Zhou dynasty of China from 679 to 866, located in modern-day Vietnam. Annam is the Vietnamese form of the Chinese name Annan, which means "the Pacified South" o ...
**
Beiting Protectorate
**
Chanyu Protectorate
*
Song dynasty:
**
Longyou Protectorate
*
Yuan dynasty:
**
Goryeo (1270–1356)
["A History of Korea: From Antiquity to the Present, by Michael J. Seth", p112]
***
Dongnyeong Prefectures
***
Ssangseong Prefectures
***
Tamna Prefectures
References
{{China-stub
History of China
Administrative divisions of ancient China
Subdivisions of Korea
Former client states