Duans

The Duan family was one such case. 49 Due to its historical importance and influence over the whole of Yunnan, the Duans were awarded prestigious honors and titles by the Mongols.

Between Winds and Clouds: The Making of Yunnan (Second Century BCE to Twentieth Century CE) 2008

The Mongols acknowledged the influence of Duan Zhi, former king of Dali, by conferring on him the title of mo-he-luo-zuo, or maharajah, literally "great king" in Sanskrit. 33 Furthermore, the Duans were assigned to oversee the diverse groups within Yunnan, under the hereditary position of the governor general of Dali (dali zongguan) .34 This post had been held by the eleven generations of the Duans until the end of the Mongol rule.

Between Winds and Clouds: The Making of Yunnan (Second Century BCE to Twentieth Century CE) 2008

Since 1330, Prince Yunnan had lived in Kunming, implying that the Duans had controlled the Dali region.

Between Winds and Clouds: The Making of Yunnan (Second Century BCE to Twentieth Century CE) 2008

No matter how powerful other native chieftains could be, there were no replacements for the Duans, who had enjoyed a great deal of prestige among native societies.

Between Winds and Clouds: The Making of Yunnan (Second Century BCE to Twentieth Century CE) 2008

More important, the Duans were either moved or killed, the roots of their power effectively destroyed.

Between Winds and Clouds: The Making of Yunnan (Second Century BCE to Twentieth Century CE) 2008

In the Yuan period, there was a provincial-level chieftain, namely, the Duans; in the Ming period there was not such an influential native figure, but there were many prefectural-level native chieftains.

Between Winds and Clouds: The Making of Yunnan (Second Century BCE to Twentieth Century CE) 2008

The eradication of the Duans symbolized the significant victory of central authority over local chieftains.

Between Winds and Clouds: The Making of Yunnan (Second Century BCE to Twentieth Century CE) 2008

The Duans were still employed to oversee other chieftains and their groups.

Between Winds and Clouds: The Making of Yunnan (Second Century BCE to Twentieth Century CE) 2008

When Fu Youde wrote to ask the Duans to surrender, Duan Shi, the chief of the Duans, cited historical experience to legitimatize his claim for autonomy.

Between Winds and Clouds: The Making of Yunnan (Second Century BCE to Twentieth Century CE) 2008

Instead of making use of the Duans, the Ming installed an outsider to oversee the new frontier.

Between Winds and Clouds: The Making of Yunnan (Second Century BCE to Twentieth Century CE) 2008