commandery
Quick Summary
During China's Han dynasty (206 BCE–220 CE), the empire was divided into administrative units called commanderies. Initially, vast territories were granted as kingdoms to the emperor's relatives. However, by around 100 BCE, the central government consolidated power, incorporating most of these lands into commanderies directly under its administration.
Each commandery was overseen by a governor and a commandant, both appointed by the central government. These units were further divided into prefectures and districts. While nobles held titles and collected taxes from their assigned areas, they did not possess administrative or judicial authority. The commandery system evolved over time, with the number of units increasing significantly. Special agencies also managed specific industries and frontier controls. To improve oversight, regional inspectors were appointed to report on official efficiency and corruption.12
Ask Britannica AI about this topic
Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.
ChinaPrelude to the Han…name the governors of the commanderies (provinces) collected taxes, recruited men for the labor corps and army, and dispensed justice. And it was the Han emperors who invested some of their kinsmen with powers to rule as kings over certain territories or divested them of such powers in order to…
Read More…name the governors of the commanderies (provinces) collected taxes, recruited men for the labor corps and army, and dispensed justice. And it was the Han emperors who invested some of their kinsmen with powers to rule as kings over certain territories or divested them of such powers in order to…
Read More- ChinaProvincial government
…administered the interior provinces as commanderies. But by about 100 bce the imperial government had deprived the kingdoms of their strength, and most of their lands had been incorporated as commanderies under the central government. Although the kingdoms survived in a much-reduced form until the end of the period, their…
Read More…administered the interior provinces as commanderies. But by about 100 bce the imperial government had deprived the kingdoms of their strength, and most of their lands had been incorporated as commanderies under the central government. Although the kingdoms survived in a much-reduced form until the end of the period, their…
Read More