Dibao (ti-pao),[n 1] sometimes calledheadmen[1] orconstables,[2] were local officials inQing andearly RepublicanChina, typically selected from among the prominent landowners.[3] Working in communities of around 100households, they were charged with overseeing boundaries and land disputes.[3] Henotarized all real estatedeeds on a commission basis and collected the land tax,[3] as well as overseeing minor punishment such as thecangue.[2]
As foreignmissionaries and businessmen gained the right to hold property in China from theunequal treaties, the local headmen could be caught between them and their superiors in the Chinese hierarchy, for instance during the construction of theWoosung Road.[1]
Thedibao administered villages under the ordinary Chinese administrative system. A similar office called theshoubao (shou-pao) was established under the Qing in 1725 to manage theBanner system.[4]
Thedibao were the successors of theQin andHantingzhang,[n 2] theSui andTanglizheng,[n 3] andSongbaozheng.[n 4] They were occasionally also known asbaozheng or asdijia[n 5][5]
After 1900, they began to be replaced by less autonomouscunzheng,[n 6][6] although this transition was not completed until theRepublican era.