Chiefdom of Lijiang

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

The Chiefdom of Lijiang (simplified Chinese: 丽江土司; traditional Chinese: 麗江土司; pinyin: Lìjiāng tǔsī; Naxi: Yiggv Tufsil) 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. (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 "" (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 (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. (木泰), [zh] (木公), (木高), Mu Qing (木青), Mu Zeng (木增) and (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.^[1]

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.^[2]

List of Lijiang chieftains[]

Nakhi name	Chinese name	Reign	Notes
阿琮阿良		?–?
阿良阿胡		?–?
阿胡阿烈		?–?
阿烈阿甲		?–?
A-chia A-te 阿甲阿得	木得	?–1390	started to use the surname "Mu"
A-te A-ch'u 阿得阿初	木初	1390–1416
A-ch'u A-t'u 阿初阿土	木土	1416–1433
A-t'u A-ti 阿土阿地	木森	1433–1442
A-ti A-hsi 阿地阿習	木嶔	1442–1485
A-hsi A-ya 阿習阿牙	木泰	1485–1502
A-ya A-ch'iu 阿牙阿秋	木定	1502–1526
A-ch'iu A-kung 阿秋阿公	[zh] 木公	1526–1553
A-kung A-mu 阿公阿目	木高	1553–1568
A-mu A-tu 阿目阿都	木東	1568–1579
A-tu A-sheng 阿都阿勝	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	木懿	1623–1669
A-ch'un A-su 阿春阿俗	木靖	1669–1671
	木櫾	1671–1680
A-su A-wei 阿俗阿胃	木堯	1680–1684
Aw-Wùa Aw-Khü^[3]	木興	1684–1720
Aw-Khü A-dzu^[4]	木鐘	1722–1723	title abolished in 1723