Research on the Western Regions Accounts in the Official Histories of the Han, Wei, Jin, Southern and Northern Dynasties

Author: Yu Taishan
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2003-11-01
Features: This book aims to interpret the cognitive and explanatory system of the "Western Regions Chronicle" in the official histories of the Han, Wei, Jin, Southern and Northern Dynasties periods. The term "Western Regions" in the "Western Regions Chronicle" of the Han, Wei, Jin, Southern and Northern Dynasties periods refers to the vast region west of the Yumen Pass and Yangguan Pass. Although the records in each chronicle vary in detail, they objectively encompass the entire modern Central Asia, most of Western and South Asia, as well as parts of North Africa and Europe. Given the conditions of that time, it was impossible to describe such a vast region accurately and comprehensively, let alone the fact that it was not necessary. The "Western Regions Chronicle" in the official histories of the Han, Wei, Jin, Southern and Northern Dynasties periods is an indispensable source for studying the history of ancient Central, South, and West Asia, as well as China-foreign relations, and has always been highly valued by scholars both at home and abroad. This book is the first to conduct a multi-angle systematic study of the source materials, format, and guiding principles of the official histories' "Western Regions Chronicle." It also examines various aspects such as Western Regions tribal names, rulers' names, capitals, distances, mountains and rivers, geographical locations of various states, products, population, languages, scripts, agriculture and animal husbandry, industry and commerce, society, daily life, religion, mythology, and East-West exchanges, proposing some highly insightful perspectives. It fills the gaps in the study of Western Regions history and holds pioneering and foundational significance.