Emperor Jing of Han
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Portrait of Han Jingdi in Han Yang Ling Mausoleum
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| Reign | 157–141 BC | ||||||||
| Born | 188 BC Jinyang, Han Empire |
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| Died | 141 BC (aged 47) Chang'an, Han Empire |
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| Burial | Yangling mausoleum | ||||||||
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| House | House of Liu | ||||||||
| Father | Emperor Wen of Han | ||||||||
| Mother | Empress Dou | ||||||||
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Family name: Liu (劉) Given name: Qi (啟) |
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Short: Emperor Jing (景) "decisive" Full: Xiaojing Huangdi (孝景皇帝) "filial and decisive" |
Emperor Jing of Han (188–141 BC), personal name Liu Qi, was the sixth emperor of the Chinese Han dynasty from 157 to 141 BC. His reign saw the limiting of the power of the feudal kings/princes which resulted in the Rebellion of the Seven States in 154 BC. Emperor Jing managed to crush the revolt and princes were thereafter denied rights to appoint ministers for their fiefs. This move consolidated central power which paved the way for the long reign of his son Emperor Wu of Han.
Emperor Jing had a complicated personality. He continued his father Emperor Wen's policy of general non-interference with the people, reduced tax and other burdens, and promoted government thrift. He continued and magnified his father's policy of reduction in criminal sentences. His light governance of the people was due to the Taoist influences of his mother, Empress Dou. He was also criticized for general ungratefulness to others, including harsh treatments of Zhou Yafu, the general whose abilities allowed his victory in the Rebellion of the Seven States, and his wife Empress Bo.
Emperor Jing was born to Emperor Wen, then Prince of Dai, and Consort Dou, one of his favorite consorts, in 188 BC. He was his father's oldest son. After his father became emperor in 180 BC, then-Prince Qi was made crown prince in 179 BC. At the same time, his mother was made empress.
In his childhood as crown prince, Prince Qi was praised for being compassionate. He was deeply influenced by his mother Empress Dou, who was a Taoist and required all of her children and grandchildren to study Taoist doctrines. He also developed deep bonds with his older sister Princess Liu Piao (劉嫖) and his younger brother Liu Wu (劉武), both also born of Empress Dou.
As Prince Qi grew in age, as was customary, he established his own household, and a member of his household, Chao Cuo (晁錯), known for his intelligence and ruthless efficiency as well as his rhetorical talent, became a trusted adviser of Prince Qi.
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