Han (state)

simplified Chinese: 韩, traditional Chinese: 韓) was a state during the Warring States Period in China. It is conventionally written in some academic texts as Hann to distinguish it from the more prominent Han Dynasty later.

Its territory directly blocked the passage of the state of Qin into the North China Plain, thus becoming a frequent target of Qin's military operations. Although the Han had attempted several self strengthening reforms, notably under the famous Legalist Shen Bu-hai (simplified Chinese and traditional Chinese: 申不害) during the reign of Marquess Zhao of Han, it would never overcome the Qin. In fact, it was the first of the Six States to be conquered by Qin in 230 BC.

The invasion of Qin into Shangdang Commandery (simplified Chinese: 上党郡, traditional Chinese: 上黨郡) ushered in the bloodiest battle of the whole period, the Battle of Changping in 260 BC.

List of Han rulers

King An of Han

See also

See Han (disambiguation page) for other meaning of the word