Tomb of Duke Xiang of Jin

Tomb of Duke Xiang of Jin

The Tomb of Duke Xiang of Jin is a cultural relic protection unit of Shanxi Province.

Tomb of Duke Xiang of Jin

Tomb of Duke Xiang of Jin (First Batch Provincial-Level Protected Site)

Era: Spring and Autumn Period

Location: 30 kilometers northwest of Xiangfen County, Dongchai

Village, southern plateau

Duke Xiang of Jin, whose personal name was [unknown], was the son of Duke Wen of Jin, Chong'er, and reigned for six years. According to Records of the Grand Historian, the state of Jin had its capital in the area of Xiangfen and Quwo. The tomb of Duke Xiang of Jin is located 30 kilometers north of Xiangling County (now Xiangfen County, at present-day Liuzhuang), from which the county derives its name.

The existing tumulus of Duke Xiang of Jin stands 18 meters high, 40 meters long from east to west, and 40 meters wide from north to south. To the north and south of the main tomb are two smaller mounds believed to be those of the crown prince and the crown princess. A stele dating back to the 46th year of the Qianlong reign of the Qing Dynasty (1781) is preserved at the site.

Duke Xiang of Jin (died 621 BCE), of the Ji clan, personal name Huan, was the son of Duke Wen of Jin and born to Wen Ying (originally called Huai Ying), daughter of Duke Mu of Qin. He was a ruler of the state of Jin during the Spring and Autumn Period. In 628 BCE, after the death of Duke Wen of Jin, Duke Xiang ascended the throne. In 627 BCE, he appointed Xian Zhen as commander and achieved victory at the Battle of Yao, annihilating the armies of Chu, Chen, and Zheng, and capturing the three dukes known as the “Three Lords.” In the autumn, he attacked the Di tribes and captured their chieftain, setting an example of “repaying virtue with virtue.” Duke Xiang employed Jia Ji as an advisor. When Jia Ji mocked his lord and insulted his attendants, Duke Xiang had him executed and exposed his body. Jia Ji’s daughter was among Duke Xiang’s concubines. Ji Huan detailed information++

Further Reading:

· First Batch of Cultural Relic Protection Units in Shanxi Province