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Duke Xian of Qin

725 BC – 704 BC

Ruler of Qin

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About Duke Xian of Qin

Lived 725 BC – 704 BC (aged 20–21).

Duke Xian of Qin (, 725–704 BC), personal name unknown, was a duke of the state of Qin during the Eastern Zhou dynasty. His posthumous name was recorded as Duke Ning of Qin (秦寧公) in the Records of the Grand Historian by Western Han historian Sima Qian, but inscriptions on excavated bronzes from the era have proven that "Ning" (寧) was a miscopy of the correct character, "Xian" (憲).

Accession to the throne Duke Xian succeeded his grandfather Duke Wen of Qin, who ruled for 50 years and died in 716 BC. Duke Xian was made the crown prince after his father predeceased Duke Wen in 718 BC. His father was given the posthumous title Duke Jing of Qin (秦竫公) although he never ascended the throne.

Reign In 714 BC, the second year of Duke Xian's reign, the Qin capital was moved to Pingyang (平陽, in present-day Baoji, Shaanxi). The next year Qin defeated the Rong state of Bo (亳), whose king escaped to the Rong homeland.

Succession In 704 BC Qin annexed Bo. Duke Xian died in the same year at the age of 21. He had three young sons: the eldest, later known as Duke Wu of Qin, was the crown prince. The second son, later known as Duke De of Qin, was born to the same mother, Lu Ji (鲁姬). However, the ministers Fuji and Sanfu deposed the crown prince and installed his youngest son Chuzi, born to Duke Xian's other wife Wang Ji (王姬), on the throne. The boy was only five years old.

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Important facts

Born
725 BC
Birth century
Died
704 BC
Nationality
Qin

Family & relationships

Child
Chuzi I
Child
Duke De of Qin
Child
Duke Wu of Qin

People in Duke Xian of Qin's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Duke Xian of Qin's

Frequently asked questions

Who was Duke Xian of Qin?

ruler of Qin

When was Duke Xian of Qin born?

Duke Xian of Qin was born in 725 BC.

When did Duke Xian of Qin die?

Duke Xian of Qin died in 704 BC.

What nationality was Duke Xian of Qin?

Duke Xian of Qin's recorded nationality: Qin.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Duke Xian of Qin

· Wikidata: Q567033

· DBpedia: Duke Xian of Qin (725–704 BC)

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Duke Xian of Qin. https://biography.guide/duke-xian-of-qin-qa1290e8d/

MLA: "Duke Xian of Qin." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/duke-xian-of-qin-qa1290e8d/.

Chicago: "Duke Xian of Qin." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/duke-xian-of-qin-qa1290e8d/.

Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.

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