Du clan of Jingzhao

The Du clan of Jingzhao (Chinese: 京兆杜氏; Wade–Giles: Jing1 Zhao4 Du4 Shi4) was a prominent Chinese clan, centred around the Jingzhao region (modern day Xi'an). Tracing its origins back to the Western Han Dynasty, it retained its prominence in Chinese politics and society up to the end of the Tang Dynasty.

History

Han Dynasty

The Du clan can be traced to Du Zhou (d. 94 BC), who served as a censor in the Western Han Dynasty under Emperor Wu of Han, and his son Du Yannian, who also served as a chief censor and shifted the clan's base to Duling (in modern day Xi'an).[1] After this, however, the Du family appears not to be deeply involved in politics during the Eastern Han.

Three Kingdoms Period and Jin Dynasty

The Du family regained prominence in government during the late Han period with Du Ji, who came to the attention of Cao Caovia Xun Yu and became a renowned governor of Hedong Commandery (modern day southern Shanxi). His son, Du Shu, also became a regional governor, and Du Shu's son Du Yu became the chief commander of the conquest of Wu by Jin.[1]

In the wake of the Disaster of Yongjia, when the Western Jin capital at Luoyang was sacked, the Du clan generally did not embark on the southern migration to the Eastern Jin that was undertaken by many other prominent clans, instead choosing to remain in northern China and to serve the succeeding non-Chinese regimes.[2] They retained their prominence even during the tumultuous period of the Five Barbarians, and are reported as filling important military and political posts after moving east into Later Zhao.[2]

An exception to the trend of remaining north was Du Yi (杜乂), who achieved fame as an elegant gentleman in the Eastern Jin court, but died without issue.[2]

Tang Dynasty

During the Tang Dynasty, members of the Du clan played an important role in both governance and culture. The Tongdian, an encyclopedic account of governmental institutions through to the An-Shi Rebellion, was compiled by Du You.[3]

Prominent Members

References
  1. Liu, Jingfu (1993). "京兆杜氏研究——魏晋南北朝士族门阀个案研究之二". Doctoral Dissertation.
  2. Song, Yanmei (2010). "两晋之际京兆杜氏地域选择考论". Journal of Changshu Institute of Technology(Philosophy ＆ Social Sciences). 2010 (11): 102–105.
  3. Liu, Xu; et al. "Book 147". Old Book of Tang.
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