A Study on the Relationship between the Immigrants,Settlements,and Canals in Dunhuang Prefecture during the Western Han Dynasty——Focusing on the Darang Li Recorded in the Dunhuang Documents
The formation of settlements in Dunhuang Prefecture during the Western Han dynasty was closely related to the arrival of a wave of immigrants and the construction of municipal water channels.A comprehensive investigation of documents related to Darangli大穰里,a community characterized by small neighborhoods and tight alleys,concludes that it was established in Xiaogu County,Dunhuang Prefecture during the Western Han dynasty,and that close and cooperative ties ensued between the community and Xuanquan Post.Darang li supported the local military outpost and increased its income by providing housing,livestock,vehicles,and manpower.The name Darangli meant"praying for a good harvest",though it is also possible that the village got its name because it was established by immigrants from Rang County in Nanyang Prefecture.In addition to this village,the names of several places to the east of Dunhuang,such as Dangrang qu 大壤渠(Darang Canal)and Darang zhuang大让庄(Darang Town),that are mentioned in Dunhuang documents from later periods might also be derived from Darang li in the Western Han dynasty;the names of two canals,both pronounced Darang qu(大壤渠 and 大让渠,respectively),from the Tang and Song dynasties also likely inherited their names from this original Han dynasty location.It is thus evident that the settlements and canals established in Dunhuang Prefecture during the Western Han continued to play a role in the culture of the region even into the Tang and Song dynasties.The fact that important locations like villages and water channels were named in a manner following that of Darang li testifies to the presence of immigrant culture in the Western Han dynasty;the fact that this presence had such a long-lasting impact highlights the far-reaching influence that Western Han immigration policies had on China's national culture.
Darang liWestern HanDunhuang PrefectureHan dynasty bamboo slips from Xuanquanimmigrants
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