Jiāng (state)

Jiāng 疆 was a small state during the Spring and Autumn period of Chinese history (771 to 476 BCE). Its exact location is debated, but it is generally believed to have been located in present-day southern Shandong province, bordering the states of Lu and Qi.

The history of the State of Jiang is sparsely documented. It was a minor state, often overshadowed by its more powerful neighbors. It is known primarily through mentions in the Zuo Zhuan and other historical texts that reference events involving larger states.

The ruling family of Jiang bore the ancestral name Ji (姬), which was also the surname of the ruling families of the Zhou dynasty and many other states of the Spring and Autumn period.

Jiang was eventually conquered by the State of Lu. The precise date of its annexation is uncertain, but it likely occurred during the middle of the Spring and Autumn period. After its conquest, the territory of Jiang was absorbed into Lu. The populace of Jiang presumably became subjects of Lu.

Due to the scarcity of available information, detailed knowledge of the political, economic, and social structures of the State of Jiang remains limited. The brief mentions in historical texts primarily focus on its interactions with other states, offering only glimpses into its existence.