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Ban Chao Securing Western Regions

Ban Chao campaigned and negotiated across the Western Regions; after operations against Yanqi, Weixu, and Weili in 94 CE, more than fifty states acknowledged Han authority.

Han · 202 BCE - 220 CE Diplomacy · Embassies

Ban Chao Securing Western Regions · 73 CE - 102 CE

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Time Capsules

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73 - 102 CE

Ban Chao Setting Out with 36 Retainers to Subdue Western Regions

Ban Chao abandoned bureaucratic clerical work to lead 36 warriors west, pacifying over fifty kingdoms and reopening the Silk Road.

Ka Shi CityKashgar PrefectureXinjiang

Shan Shan CountyTurpanXinjiang

73 CE

Ban Chao Secures Shanshan

In 73 Ban Chao and thirty-six followers struck the Xiongnu mission at night, securing Shanshan for the Han in the Western Regions.

Shan Shan CountyTurpanXinjiang

74 CE

Ban Chao Secures Khotan

In 74 Ban Chao removed the pro-Xiongnu faction at Khotan and aligned the kingdom with Han operations in the Western Regions.

Gao Chang DistrictTurpanXinjiang

74 CE

Ban Chao Restores the King of Shule

In 74 Ban Chao entered Shule, removed a Kucha-backed ruler, and restored its king, widening the Han position in the Western Regions.

Shu Le CountyKashgar PrefectureXinjiang

75 CE

Ban Chao Returns to Hold Shule

In 75 Ban Chao answered a recall but returned at the request of Shule and Khotan to preserve the Han alliance in the Western Regions.

Shu Le CountyKashgar PrefectureXinjiang

78 CE

Ban Chao Leads an Allied Attack on Gumo

In 78 Ban Chao assembled troops from Shule, Khotan, and other states to attack Gumo in the Western Regions.

Gao Chang DistrictTurpanXinjiang

90 CE

Ban Chao Repels the Kushan Army

In 90 a Kushan army crossed the Pamirs into the Western Regions, but Ban Chao forced it to withdraw by defense and interdiction.

Shu Le CountyKashgar PrefectureXinjiang

94 CE

Ban Chao Subdues Yanqi and Weili

In 94 Ban Chao led allied forces against Yanqi, Weixu, and Weili, restoring Han protectorate authority in the Western Regions.

Yan Qi Hui Zu Autonomous CountyBayingolinXinjiang

Yu Li CountyBayingolinXinjiang

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Cause & Context

In the early Eastern Han, the Northern Xiongnu regained control over the Western Regions, severing the Silk Road; Emperor Ming resolved to break the blockade and restore Han authority.

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Epochal Overview

cast aside his writing brush to take up arms, leading 36 men into the Western Regions, executing Xiongnu envoys at Shanshan, and spending 30 years restoring over 50 oasis kingdoms to Han suzerainty.

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Civilizational Impact

eliminated Xiongnu hegemony, completely reopened Eurasian trade along the Silk Road, and reinforced China's enduring administrative presence in Central Asia.

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Key Figures

served as Protector General of the Western Regions, while his lieutenant Gan Ying was dispatched on an epic mission toward Daqin (the Roman Empire), reaching the Persian Gulf.

Ban Chao