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| Protectorate | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Traditional Chinese | 都護府 | ||||||||||
| Simplified Chinese | 都护府 | ||||||||||
| Literal meaning | governor'sprefecture | ||||||||||
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Protectorate, also known asDuhu Fu (Chinese:都護府), was a type of administrative division of theChinese Empire, especially during theHan andTang dynasties, established in frontier regions. During the Han and Tang dynasties, a protectorate was the highest government agency in frontier areas and was directly responsible to the imperial court. The protectorate governor was calledduhu (literally "(capital) city protector"), who needed to take charge in military operations when necessary, and provide instructions to minority tribes and small dependent states within the region. This is different from theJiedushi (military commissioner) position. During rebellion and wartime, the two position can be held by the same person.
Sometimes, a protectorate had subdivisions namedcommanderies, orDudu Fu (Chinese:都督府).[1] The first protectorate was theProtectorate of the Western Regions established in 60 BCE duringEmperor Xuan's reign. It controlled the majority ofTarim Basin and some other parts ofCentral Asia after the Han dynasty defeatedXiongnu.
Notable protectorates in Chinese history include:
