Tanzhou (historical prefecture)

Tanzhou or Tan Prefecture (潭州) was a zhou (prefecture) in imperial China centering around modern Changsha, Hunan, China. In the Yuan dynasty and the Ming dynasty it was known as Tanzhou Prefecture (潭州路 or 潭州府). It existed (intermittently) from 589 to 1372.

Geography

The administrative region of Tanzhou in the Tang dynasty falls within modern Hunan, China and includes parts in modern Changsha (including Liuyang to the east), Zhuzhou (including Liling to the southeast), Xiangtan (including Xiangxiang to the southwest) and Yiyang (to the northwest).

History

Sui dynasty (581—618)

Tanzhou was created in 589 during Emperor Wen of Sui's reign. Early in Emperor Yang's reign (605–618) its name was changed to Changsha Commandery.

Tang dynasty (618–907)

The name was reverted to Tanzhou in 621 during the reign of Emperor Taizong of Tang. In the 740s during Emperor Xuanzong of Tang's reign, its name was again changed to Changsha Commandery. In the 750s, the name was reverted to Tanzhou during Emperor Suzong's reign. After the Tang was overthrown in 907, the Chu kingdom made it its capital under the new name Changsha Fu.

Song dynasty (960–1279)

During the Song dynasty its name was changed to Tanzhou again.

Yuan dynasty (1271–1368)

In 1277 during the Yuan dynasty Tanzhou was expanded into the Tanzhou Lu. In 1329 it was renamed to Tianlin Lu (天臨路).

Ming dynasty (1368–1644)

The Hongwu Emperor renamed it Tanzhou Fu, again renaming it to Changsha Fu in 1372.

See also

• Changsha
• Qinhua Circuit