Chiefdom of Lijiang

Chiefdom of Lijiang 麗江土司
?–1723
Status	Native Chiefdom of China
Capital	Lijiang
Common languages	Naxi language
Government	Monarchy
Jang Sadam Gyalpo
• ?–?	A-ts'ung A-liang (first)
• ?–1390	Mu De
• 1597–1623	Mu Zeng
• 1722–1723	Mu Zhong (last)
History
• Established	?
• Disestablished	1723
Preceded by Succeeded by Dali Kingdom Qing dynasty
Today part of	China

Chiefdom of Lijiang

UNESCO World Heritage Site
Location	Lijiang, Yunnan, China
Criteria	Cultural: (ii), (iv), (v)
Reference	811bis
Inscription	1997 (21st Session)
Extensions	2012
Area	145.6 ha (360 acres)
Buffer zone	582.3 ha (1,439 acres)
Coordinates	26°52′N 100°14′E
Location of Chiefdom of Lijiang in Yunnan Chiefdom of Lijiang (China)

The Chiefdom of Lijiang (simplified Chinese: 丽江土司; traditional Chinese: 麗江土司; pinyin: Lìjiāng tǔsī) was a Nakhi autonomous Tusi chiefdom that ruled Lijiang during Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasty.

History

At first, Lijiang was ruled by Yuexi Zhao (越巂詔). Later, it was annexed by Nanzhao. According to legend, ancestor Lijiang chieftains was a Mongol.

Mongolian invaded Dali in 1253. Mou-pao A-ts'ung (牟保阿琮), the chieftain of Lijiang, surrendered to Mongol Empire. His son was granted the title Lijiang Lu Xuanweishi (麗江路宣慰使) by Yuan dynasty.

After Ming dynasty came into power, the chieftain A-chia A-te swore allegiance to Ming dynasty. Hongwu Emperor gave him the Chinese name "Mu De" (木得). From then on, chieftain of Lijiang also had Chinese name; they started to use Chinese surname Mu (木). They received the official position "Magistrate of Lijiang" (麗江知府) from Chinese emperor.

Chieftains of Lijiang helped Ming China in Ming conquest of Yunnan and Luchuan–Pingmian campaigns. They also seized many territories from neighbouring chiefdoms.

Lijiang saw its golden age during Mu Zeng's reign; It became the most powerful in present-day southwestern China. Lijiang attacked Gyalrong people frequently, and invaded Kingdom of Chakla. King of Chakla had to appeal for China's help. However, Mu Zeng promised to Chinese that he would offer soldiers in Ming–Manchu War. It was a successful diplomatic effort, Ming China did nothing but send an envoy to Lijiang to call for a cease-fire.

After Manchu conquest of China, chieftain Mu Yi (木懿) swore allegiance to Manchu Qing dynasty. In 1673, Wu Sangui revolted against Qing dynasty. Mu Yi rejected to swear allegiance to Wu Sangui, and was thrown into prison. Mu Yi was released after the rebellion was put down, and restored.

The Chiefdom of Lijiang was abolished by Yongzheng Emperor in 1723. Since then, the magistrates of Lijiang were all Han Chinese; they were appointed by Chinese emperor directly. The leader of Mu family was granted the title Tǔ Tōngpàn (土通判) from Chinese court, but had no real power.

Culture

Lijiang culture was deeply influenced by both Chinese and Tibetan culture. Nakhi people accepted Confucianism. Many chieftains were well educated. Mu Tai (木泰), Mu Gong (木公), Mu Gao (木高), Mu Qing (木青), Mu Zeng (木增) and Mu Jing (木靖) were good at writing Chinese poetry.

In 1639, Xu Xiake, a Chinese travel writer, came to Lijiang. Xu was warmly welcomed by Mu Zeng.

Many Nakhi people also accepted the Tibetan Buddhism. Chieftain Mu Zeng provided shelter for Chöying Dorje, 10th Karmapa.

Old Town of Lijiang was registered on the UNESCO World Heritage List on December 4, 1997.

List of Lijiang chieftains

Portrait	Nakhi name	Chinese name	Reign	Notes
	A-ts'ung A-liang 阿琮阿良		?–?
	A-liang A-hu 阿良阿胡		?–?
	A-hu A-lieh 阿胡阿烈		?–?
	A-lieh A-chia 阿烈阿甲		?–?
	A-chia A-te 阿甲阿得	Mu De 木得	?–1390	started to use the surname "Mu"
	A-te A-ch'u 阿得阿初	Mu Chu 木初	1390–1416
	A-ch'u A-t'u 阿初阿土	Mu Tu 木土	1416–1433
	A-t'u A-ti 阿土阿地	Mu Sen 木森	1433–1442
	A-ti A-hsi 阿地阿習	Mu Qin 木嶔	1442–1485
	A-hsi A-ya 阿習阿牙	Mu Tai 木泰	1485–1502
	A-ya A-ch'iu 阿牙阿秋	Mu Ding 木定	1502–1526
	A-ch'iu A-kung 阿秋阿公	Mu Gong 木公	1526–1553
	A-kung A-mu 阿公阿目	Mu Gao 木高	1553–1568
	A-mu A-tu 阿目阿都	Mu Dong 木東	1568–1579
	A-tu A-sheng 阿都阿勝	Mu Wang 木旺	1579–1596
	A-sheng A-chai 阿勝阿宅	Mu Qing 木青	1596–1597
	A-chai A-ssu 阿宅阿寺	Mu Zeng 木增	1597–1623
	A-ssu A-ch'un 阿寺阿春	Mu Yi 木懿	1623–1669
	A-ch'un A-su 阿春阿俗	Mu Jing 木靖	1669–1671
		Mu You 木櫾	1671–1680
	A-su A-wei 阿俗阿胃	Mu Yao 木堯	1680–1684
	Aw-Wùa Aw-Khü	Mu Xing 木興	1684–1720
	Aw-Khü A-dzu	Mu Zhong 木鐘	1722–1723	title abolished in 1723

See also

• Chiefdom of Yongning

Sources

• Mushi Huanpu (PDF) (in Chinese). 1900. OCLC 733553244.
• Joseph F Rock (1947). The ancient Na-khi Kingdom of southwest China. Harvard University Press. OCLC 2460083.
• Karl Debreczeny (August 2013). "Si tu paṇ chen's Artistic Legacy in 'Jang" (PDF). Journal of the International Association of Tibetan Studies (7): 193–276. ISSN 1550-6363.
• Bin Yang (2008). "Chapter 4: Rule Based on Native Customs". Between Winds and Clouds: The Making of Yunnan. Columbia University Press. OCLC 804536239.