The Former Liang (前凉 Qián Liáng; 320–376) was a state of the Sixteen Kingdoms during the Jin dynasty (266–420) in China. It was founded by the Zhang family of the Han Chinese. Its territories included present-day Gansu and parts of Ningxia, Shaanxi, Qinghai and Xinjiang.

All rulers of the Former Liang remained largely titularly under the court of the Jin dynasty as the Duke of Xiping except Zhang Zuo who proclaimed himself wang (prince/king). However, at times the other Former Liang rulers also used the wang title when imposed on them when they were forced to submit to Han Zhao, Later Zhao, or Former Qin.

In 327, the Gaochang commandery was created by the Former Liang under the Han Chinese ruler Zhang Gui. After this, significant Han Chinese settlement occurred in Gaochang, a major, large part of the population becoming Chinese. In 383 The General Lu Guang of the Former Qin seized control of the region.

Read more...: Rulers of the Former Liang   Rulers family tree  

前凉（320年－376年）是十六国政权之一。都姑臧（今甘肃武威）。

301年，凉州大姓汉人张轨被晋朝封为凉州刺史，313年封西平公，课农桑、立学校，多所建树。又铸五铢钱，全境通行。314年张轨病死，其子张寔袭位。西晋灭亡后，仍然据守凉州，使用司马邺（晋愍帝）的建兴年号，成为割据政权。

320年，前凉彻底成为独立政权。

345年，张寔子张骏称凉王，都姑臧，以所在地凉州为国号「凉」，史称「前凉」，以别于其他以「凉」为国号的政权。张骏、张重华父子统治时期，前凉极盛。353年张重华病死，宗室内乱不止，国势大衰。

前凉极盛之时，统治范围包括甘肃、宁夏西部以及新疆大部。史载「南逾河、湟，东至秦、陇，西包葱岭，北暨居延」。张天锡时已失去甘肃南部。

376年，前秦天王苻坚以十三万步骑大举进攻，张天锡投降，前凉灭亡。

Read more...: 前凉君主列表   前凉世系图