Qin Unification of Weights and Measures

Timeline

1. -400–-222States of the Central Plains · ChinaThe Warring States kingdoms had mutually different standards for length, capacity, and weight, hindering the formation of a unified market and central tax collection; after the Shang Yang reforms, the state of Qin had already established a relatively complete system of weights and measures.
2. -221Xianyang · Guanzhong PlainQin Shi Huang ordered Qin's weights and measures to be adopted as the national standard, abolishing the old systems of the six states; together with 'unified script' and 'unified axle widths,' this formed the economic and administrative foundation of imperial unification.
3. -220–-210Throughout the Qin Empire · ChinaThe government cast or engraved standard instruments such as Qin edict tablets, bronze weights, and bronze measures, compelling commanderies and counties to use uniform units; Qin weights and measures unearthed across the country are important archaeological evidence for studying the Qin system.
4. -206–-200Guanzhong · Guanzhong PlainThe Han inherited Qin institutions and largely continued Qin's standards of weights and measures; the Qin unified system of measurement became an important starting point for the development of Chinese weights and measures over the following two millennia.