Du clan of Jingzhao
The Du clan of Jingzhao (Chinese: 京兆杜氏; Wade–Giles: Jing1 Zhao4 Du4 Shi4) was a prominent Chinese clan, centred around the Jingzhao region (modern day Xi'an). Tracing its origins back to the Western Han Dynasty, it retained its prominence in Chinese politics and society up to the Tang Dynasty.
History
Han Dynasty
The Du clan can be traced to Du Zhou (d. 94 BC), who served as a censor in the Western Han Dynasty, and his son Du Yannian, who shifted the clan's base to Duling (in modern day Xi'an).
Jin Dynasty
In the wake of the Disaster of Yongjia, when the Western Jin capital at Luoyang was sacked, the Du clan generally did not embark on the southern migration to the Eastern Jin that was undertaken by many other prominent clans, instead choosing to remain in northern China and to serve the succeeding non-Chinese regimes.[1] They retained their prominence even during the tumultuous period of the Five Barbarians, and are reported as filling important military and political posts after moving east into Later Zhao. [1]
An exception to the trend of remaining north was Du Yi (杜乂), who achieved fame as an elegant gentleman in the Eastern Jin court, but died without issue.[1]
Northern and Southern Dynasties
Tang Dynasty
Prominent Members
- Du Yu (222-285), general of Cao Wei and Jin and the conqueror of Eastern Wu
- Du Ruhui (585-630), chancellor under Emperor Taizong of Tang
- Du Fu (712-770), Tang Dynasty poet
- Du You (735-812), Tang Dynasty chancellor
- Du Mu (803-852), Tang Dynasty poet, grandson of Du You