Xuanquan Manuscripts: Han Dynasty Women’s Role in Fostering Exchanges in the Western Regions Through Marriage Alliances and Attendant Service on the Early Silk Road

Hongyu Quan

doi:10.54254/2753-7048/2025.NE27715

Lecture Notes in Education Psychology and Public MediaOpen access

Xuanquan Manuscripts: Han Dynasty Women’s Role in Fostering Exchanges in the Western Regions Through Marriage Alliances and Attendant Service on the Early Silk Road

Research Article

Open Access

Xuanquan Manuscripts: Han Dynasty Women’s Role in Fostering Exchanges in the Western Regions Through Marriage Alliances and Attendant Service on the Early Silk Road

Hongyu Quan ^1*

¹ University of Sheffield

^*Corresponding author: hquan1@Sheffield.ac.uk

Published on 14 October 2025

LNEP Vol.127

ISSN (Print): 2753-7056

ISSN (Online): 2753-7048

ISBN (Print): 978-1-80590-331-4

ISBN (Online): 978-1-80590-332-1

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Abstract

This work examines the Xuanquan Manuscripts from Dunhuang to explore the significant role of Han Dynasty women in fostering exchanges in the early Silk Road. Through marriage alliances and attendant diplomatic activities, Han princesses and their maidservants not only weakened the Xiongnu’s influence in the Western Regions but also consolidated the authority of the Han Dynasty. Princess Jieyou of the Wusun, in particular, established a pro-Han network through marital and political strategies, strengthening ties with states such as Wusun and Kucha. Her maidservant Feng Liao also acted as a female envoy, mediating conflicts and maintaining frontier stability. Meanwhile, women such as the Lady of the King of Kucha, who came to other Western Regions for marriage alliances also continued their pro-Han policy, promoting friendly exchanges between these Western Regions and the Han Dynasty, and constantly expanding the Han Dynasty’s influence and control in the Western Regions. The Xuanquan Manuscripts provide valuable first-hand evidence that compensates for the neglect of women’s diplomatic contributions in traditional historiography. By highlighting women as key participants in early Silk Road exchanges, this paper offers a new perspective on Han foreign relations and the role of gender in diplomacy.

Keywords:

Silk Road, Foreign Exchanges, Xuanquan Manuscripts

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References

[1]. Muzi, Li, and Ma Li, 'The exchanges and interactions between Chang’ an and the Western Regions as seen in the Xuanquan Manuscripts’, Western Literature and Art Studies 5 (2009), pp. 160-164.

[2]. Hanshu, The Annals of Emperor Wu.

[3]. Jingzhou, Yao, and Li Yanhua, 'The First Exploration on Jie You Princess and Xiyu of Han Dynasty’, Southeast Culture 3 (2000), pp. 88-91.

[4]. Hanshu, The Biography of Zhang Qian and Li Guangli.

[5]. Pingsheng, Hu, and Zhang Defang (eds.), The Interpretation of the Xuanquan Manuscripts from Dunhuang. Shanghai Chinese classics publishing house, 2001.

[6]. Hanshu, The History of the Western Regions.

[7]. Hanshu, The History of the Xiongnu.

[8]. Xiaoyan, Liu, 'On the Guardian of the Silk Road in the Western Han Dynasty - the Protector of the Western Regions’, Research Center for Zhou-Qin Ethical Culture and Modern Moral Values.

[9]. Ningsheng, Wang, 'The Western Regions of the Han and Jin Dynasties and the Civilization of Motherland’, Acta Archaeologica Sinica 1 (1977), pp. 23-42.

[10]. Gansu Bamboo Slips Museum, Gansu Antique Archaeology Institute, Institute for Advanced Studies in Humanities, SNNU, Research and Conservation Center for Unearthed Texts, Tsinghua University (eds.), Xuanquan Manuscripts

[11]. Yansheng, Yuan, 'The Women from the Western Regions during the Exchanges of Envoys from the Xuanquan Manuscripts’, The Western Regions Studies 02 (2021), pp. 11-24.

[12]. Birong, Li, and Li Si, 'Special Missions and Historical Contributions of Han Dynasty Female Diplomats’, Xiangtan University, 2016, pp. 36-40.

References

[1]. Muzi, Li, and Ma Li, 'The exchanges and interactions between Chang’ an and the Western Regions as seen in the Xuanquan Manuscripts’, Western Literature and Art Studies 5 (2009), pp. 160-164.

[2]. Hanshu, The Annals of Emperor Wu.

[3]. Jingzhou, Yao, and Li Yanhua, 'The First Exploration on Jie You Princess and Xiyu of Han Dynasty’, Southeast Culture 3 (2000), pp. 88-91.

[4]. Hanshu, The Biography of Zhang Qian and Li Guangli.

[5]. Pingsheng, Hu, and Zhang Defang (eds.), The Interpretation of the Xuanquan Manuscripts from Dunhuang. Shanghai Chinese classics publishing house, 2001.

[6]. Hanshu, The History of the Western Regions.

[7]. Hanshu, The History of the Xiongnu.

[8]. Xiaoyan, Liu, 'On the Guardian of the Silk Road in the Western Han Dynasty - the Protector of the Western Regions’, Research Center for Zhou-Qin Ethical Culture and Modern Moral Values.

[9]. Ningsheng, Wang, 'The Western Regions of the Han and Jin Dynasties and the Civilization of Motherland’, Acta Archaeologica Sinica 1 (1977), pp. 23-42.

[11]. Yansheng, Yuan, 'The Women from the Western Regions during the Exchanges of Envoys from the Xuanquan Manuscripts’, The Western Regions Studies 02 (2021), pp. 11-24.

[12]. Birong, Li, and Li Si, 'Special Missions and Historical Contributions of Han Dynasty Female Diplomats’, Xiangtan University, 2016, pp. 36-40.

Cite this article

Quan,H. (2025). Xuanquan Manuscripts: Han Dynasty Women’s Role in Fostering Exchanges in the Western Regions Through Marriage Alliances and Attendant Service on the Early Silk Road. Lecture Notes in Education Psychology and Public Media,127,39-44.

Data availability

The datasets used and/or analyzed during the current study will be available from the authors upon reasonable request.

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Volume title: Proceeding of ICIHCS 2025 Symposium: Exploring Community Engagement: Identity, (In)equality, and Cultural Representation

ISBN: 978-1-80590-331-4(Print) / 978-1-80590-332-1(Online)

Editor: Enrique Mallen, Nafhesa Ali

Conference website: https://2025.icihcs.org/Newcastle-Upon-Tyne.html

Conference date: 29 September 2025

Series: Lecture Notes in Education Psychology and Public Media

Volume number: Vol.127

ISSN: 2753-7048(Print) / 2753-7056(Online)

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