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State of Zhao
(small seal script, 220 BC)

Zhao (pinyin: zhào, traditional Chinese: 趙, simplified Chinese: 赵) was a Chinese state during the Warring States Period. Zhao was a significant state in the period, along with six others. At the beginning of the Warring States Period, the state of Zhao was one of the weakest states but gained strength during the reign of King Wuling of Zhao. By the end of the Warring States Period, Zhao was the only state strong enough to oppose the mighty Qin.

Its territory included areas in modern Inner Mongolia, Hebei, Shanxi and Shaanxi provinces. The state of Zhao bordered the Xiongnu (Huns), the states of Qin, Wei and Yan. Its capital was Handan (邯郸), suburb of modern-day Handan City in Hebei.

At the beginning of the Warring States Period, the state of Zhao was one of the weakest states. During the reign of King Wuling, the kingdom adopted a military reform. The soldiers of Zhao were ordered to dress like their Xiongnu neighbours and replace war chariots with cavalry archers. This proved to be a brilliant reform, along with advanced technology of the Chinese states and nomad tactics, the Calvaries of Zhao became a significant force to reckon with in the warring states.

Zhao demonstrated its enhanced military prowess by conquering the ethnic State of Zhongshan in 295 BC after a prolonged war, and annexing territory from its neighbors Wei, Yan and Qin. The cavalry of Zhao occasionally intruded into the state of Qi in campaigns against the state of Chu.

Several brilliant military commanders of the whole period appeared concurrently, including Lian Po, Zhao She (趙奢) and Li Mu. Lian Po was instrumental in defending against the Qin. Zhao She (趙奢) was most active in the east; he led the invasion of Yan state. Li Mu was responsible for defending against the Huns.

By the end of the Warring States Period, Zhao was the only state strong enough to oppose the powerful Qin. An alliance with Wei begun in 287 BC against Qin ended in defeat at Huayang in 273 BC. The struggle then culminated in the bloodiest battle of the whole period, the Battle of Changping in 260 BC. The troops of Zhao were completely defeated by Qin. Although the forces of Wei saved Handan from a follow-up siege by the victorious Qin, Zhao would never recover from the huge loss of men in the battle.

In 229 BC, invasions led by the Qin general Wang Jian were opposed by Li Mu (李牧) and his subordinate officer Sima Shang (司馬尚) until 228 BC. According to some accounts, King Youmiu of Zhao (幽繆王), ordered the execution of Li Mu and relieved Sima Shang from his duties, due to disloyal advice from court officials and Qin infiltrators.

In 228 BC, Qin captured King Youmiu and conquered Zhao. Prince Jia, the step-brother of King Youmiu, was proclaimed king at Dai Commandry and led the last Zhao forces against the Qin. The regime lasted until 222 BC when the Qin army captured him and squashed his forces at Dai.

State of Zhao
(bronzeware script, ca. 800 BC)

• Marquess Xian (獻侯), personal name Huan (浣), ruled 424 BC–409 BC
• Marquess Lie (烈侯), personal name Ji (籍), son of previous, ruled 409 BC–387 BC - noted for several reforms
• Marquess Jing (敬侯), personal name Zhang (章), son of previous, ruled 387 BC–375 BC
• Marquess Cheng (成侯), personal name Zhong (種), son of previous, ruled 375 BC–350 BC
• Marquess Su (肅侯), personal name Yu (語), son of previous, ruled 350 BC–326 BC
• King Wuling (武靈王), personal name Yong (雍), son of previous, ruled 326 BC–Spring 299 BC
• King Huiwen (惠文王), personal name He (何), son of previous, ruled Spring 299 BC–266 BC
• King Xiaocheng (孝成王), personal name Dan (丹), son of previous, ruled 266 BC–245 BC
• King Daoxiang (悼襄王), personal name Yan (偃), son of previous, ruled 245 BC–236 BC
• King Youmiu (幽繆王), personal name Qian (遷), son of previous, ruled 236 BC–228 BC
• King Dai (代王), personal name Jia (嘉), half-brother of previous, ruled 228 BC–222 BC

The kingdoms of Former Zhao and Later Zhao of the Sixteen Kingdoms