Liu Bang (256 BC– 1 June 195 BC), with styled Ji was the first emperor of Han Dynasty of Han Dynasty (202 BC-220 AD). Born humble, Liu Bang, with his wisdom and foresight established a great dynasty in Chinese history. Even today, the majority of Chinese are still called “Han” people, after the name of Han Dynasty.
Liu Bang was born to peasant parents in Zhongyang, Fengyi, Pei County (today’s Pei County, Jiangsu Province) during the late Qin Dynasty (221-206 BC). His parents' names were not recorded in history and they were referred to as "Liu Taigong" (Old Sir Liu) and "Liu Ao" (Old Madam Liu). According to the legend, before Liu Bang's birth, his mother was taking a nap one day when she dreamt of a divine being. Just then, there was lightning and thunder and the sky darkened. Liu's father went to see his wife and saw a dragon beside her. Shortly after that, Liu's mother became pregnant and gave birth to Liu Bang.As an adult, Liu Bang served as an official, responsible for the Sishui River.
In the late days of Qin Dynasty, an uprising began, led by Chen Sheng and Wu Guang. It was the first peasants movement in Chinese history. Xiang Liang and Xiang Yu from Jiang Dong, Ying Bu from Po Yang and Peng Yue from Yu Je all joined the uprising against the Qin Dynasty.
Liu Bang returned to his hometown, and with the help of Xiao He, Cao Can, Fan Kuai, and Zhou Bu, managed to round up three thousand volunteer troops. He bestows the title of Pei Gong and led his army to capture Hu Ling and Fang Yu.
Liu Bang (with the help of his advisors Zhang Liang and Li Shiqi), easily captured Wan castle, and later Wu pass. His armies marched through to Xianyang (Chang’an, Shaanxi Province). In the year 206 BC, Liu Bang breaks through the forces at Xianyang, and Zi Ying, the last emperor of Qin Dynasty, surrendered the palace.
Liu Bang abandoned the harsh Qin laws, reduced taxes, and instituted three regulations to protect the common people, which made Liu Bang very popular with the people.
Then Liu Bang and Xiang Yu were engaged in a power struggle for supremacy over China for about five years, known as the Chu-Han Contention. Initially, Chu had an advantage over Han, but the tide turned in favor of the latter in 203 BC, after Xiang Yu and Liu Bang came to an armistice, known as the Treaty of Honggou, that divided China into east and west under their domains respectively. Liu Bang attacked Xiang Yu shortly afterwards, taking Xiang by surprise and scoring a series of victories in the following battles. Finally, Liu Bang's forces defeated Xiang Yu's at the Battle of Gaixia in 202 BC and Xiang committed suicide. Chu surrendered and China was unified under Liu Bang's rule.
Shortly after, Liu Bang established Han Dynasty and proclaimed himself the emperor, with Chang’an as the capital. After establishing the Han Empire, Liu Bang’s fight for power continued. He fought numerous small wars against former allies: Han Xin, Chen Xi, and Peng Yue, in order to consolidate power in west China. Liu Bang was immortalized as Emperor Gao after his death.