Jin Dynasty

Jin Dynasty

The Jin Dynasty consists of two dynasties, the Western Jin (265 -316) and the Eastern Jin (317 - 420). The Western Jin was founded by Sima Yan with Luoyang as its capital city while the Eastern Jin was founded by Sima Rui with Jiankang (currently Nanjing) as its capital.

In 265, as a chancellor of the Kingdom of Wei, Sima Yan forced the last emperor of Wei, Cao Huan, to turn over his throne. Soon after Sima Yan acceded to the throne, proclaimed himself Emperor Wu in Luoyang and established the Jin Dynasty. In 280, Sima Yan sent his troops to attack the Kingdom of Wu and eventually defeated the last kingdom of the Three Kingdoms Period (220 - 280). The dynasty had unified the whole nation.

However, the state of unification did not last long. With the increase of the military strength, some nomadic ethnic groups on the frontier began to wage war to contest the central plains with the Jin Court. After a period of fighting, these groups set up a series of regimes in northern areas, called 'sixteen kingdoms'.

On the positive side, the process of Han-Chinese assimilation with other minority groups was greatly progressed. Meanwhile, the propagation of Buddhism in southern and northern areas became more and more popular. In addition, technological progress in medicine, astronomy and drafting technique was also notable during that time.
 

Emperors

Order
Name
Notes
Reign Time (years)
Western Jin (265 - 316)
1
Jin Wudi
(Sima Yan)
A Grandson of Sima Yi and son of Sima Zhao; was the first emperor of the Jin Dynasty and responsible for the unification of the Chinese empire 265 - 290
2
Jin Huidi
(Sima Zhong)
Considered an incapable monarch due to power struggles that raged between regents, imperial princes and his wife Empress Jia. These struggles greatly undermined the stability of the dynasty 290 - 306
3
Jin Huaidi
(Sima Chi)
One of the youngest sons of Jin Wudi and brother of Jin Huidi; he was captured and executed by Huns 307 - 311
4
Jin Mindi
(Sima Ye)
A grandson of Jin Wudi and the last emperor of the Western Jin Dynasty surrendered to one of the Huns states 313 - 317
Eastern Jin (317 - 420)
5
Jin Yuandi
(Sima Rui)
The first emperor of the Eastern Jin Dynasty. His reign saw the loss of the Jin territory in the north and the establishment of a regime to the South of the Yangtze River 317 - 322
6
Jin Mingdi
(Sima Shao)
The oldest son of Sima Rui; During his brief reign, shortened prematurely, due to his death he led the Jin out of the domination of the warlord Wang Dun 322 - 325
7
Jin Chengdi
(Sima Yan)
The oldest son of Jin Mingdi; His reign was successively dominated by regents; The disastrous rebellion weakened Jin forces for decades within his reign. 325 - 342
8
Jin Kangdi
(Sima Yue)
The second son of Jin Mingdi and younger brother of Jin Chengdi; His reign only lasted two years 342 - 344
9
Jin Mudi
(Sima Dan)
The only son of Jin Kangdi; In his reign Jin regained most of the territory to the South of the Yangtze River 345 - 361
10
Jin Aidi
(Sima Pi)
Son of Jin Chengdi; He was obsessed with immortality and was finally poisoned by pills given to him by his magicians 361 - 365
11
Haixi Gong
(Sima Yi)
Younger brother of Jin Aidi; he was dethroned by the military leader Huan Wen 365 - 371
12
Jianwendi
(Sima Yu)
The youngest son of Jin Yuandi and younger brother of Jin Mingdi; Sima Yu was known for his philosophical discussions of Taoism 371 - 372
13
Xiaowudi
(Sima Yao)
Son of Sima Yu; was killed by his concubine Consort Zhang after he insulted her 372 - 396
14
Jin Andi
(Sima Dezong)
The oldest son of Xiaowudi; During his reign, regents and warlords dominated the regime; was once dethroned by Xuan Huan though later restored. 396 - 418
15
Jin Gongdi
(Sima Dewen)
The second son of Xiaowudi; the last emperor of the Eastern Jin Dynasty In 420, he yielded his throne to the regent Liu Yu who founded the Liu Song Dynasty in 421. 419 - 420

- Last updated on Aug. 09, 2022 -
Questions & Answers on Jin Dynasty
Asked by David Brown from UNITED KINGDOM | Jan. 02, 2016 22:24Reply
Were the Jin people nomadic before they established a dynasty?
Answers (1)
Answered by Aliens from IRAN | Jan. 02, 2016 23:56
13Reply


No, they were not nomadic people at that time.
Asked by Hannah from CALIFORNIA | Feb. 16, 2014 20:24Reply
as the jin dynasty a democracy or an authoritarian?
Answers (1)
Answered by Hank from GERMANY | Feb. 17, 2014 00:28
61Reply


It's centralism, to be precise.
Asked by Shanah from AUSTRALIA | Feb. 09, 2014 18:01Reply
what was the name of the Chinese capital under the Jin Dynasty
Answers (1)
Answered by Celia from USA | Feb. 09, 2014 20:05
63Reply


Western Jin: Luoyang
Eastern Jin: Jiankang
Asked by avery | Nov. 20, 2013 16:47Reply
What technological advances do Jin dynasty have?
Answers (1)
Answered by Jave from PHILIPPINES | Nov. 20, 2013 20:32
50Reply


Because of the development of Taoism, the alchemy develops fast. Astronomy, medical science and geography moved forward. Precession was founded during that time. New rules are proposed for drawing maps. Now methods to cure diease such as phthisis and smallpox were recorded in Chinese history.
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