Jin (晉) was one of the most powerful states in the Spring and Autumn Period, based in Shanxi, China. Jin was founded by Tang Suyu, a descendant of the Zhou Dynasty|Zhou royal family. At the end of the Spring and Autumn Period, Jin was split into three states Han (state)|Han, Zhao (state)|Zhao and Wei (state)|Wei. The split of Jin is sometimes referred to as the beginning of the subsequent Warring States Period; all three new states later became prominent states in the new period.
Jin suffered from multiple succession struggles. Jin founded a new city north of the capital at Quwo (??) in 746 BC. In 679 BC, the Quwo lineage usurped the rulership of Jin. Duke Xian of Jin's rule was notorious for the bloody purging of family members.
Under the rule of Duke Wen of Jin, Jin led a coalition to victory over Chu (state)|Chu at the Battle of Chengpu in 632 BC and gained hegemony over the other Zhou states.
Jin had multiple capitals. The initial capital of Jin was Tang (?); the remains of Tang are at modern Qucun (??). The capital was later moved to E (?), then Jiang (绛), then Xintian (??). The remains of Xintian are at modern Houma.
Image:JinJin.jpg|250px|frame|right|State of Jin
(bronzeware script, ca. 800 BC)
Category:Ancient Chinese states
![[F]](/images/site.gif){kind=small}
