“Tablet of Abolition Prohibition” of Qing Dynasty found in Nanzhang County

Recently, a “Tablet of Abolition Prohibition” of the military defense circuit of the Qing Dynasty was found in Gujing Village, Banqiao Town, Nanzhang County, Xiangyang. The tablet is a great discovery of grass-roots security managers in the north-west of Hubei. With high research value, the tablet can help us have a better understanding of the activities of local bandits and troops in the late Qing Dynasty.

The well-preserved tablet is made of bluestone and is 148cm high, 72cm wide and 20cm thick.

The military defense circuit, also known as the military circuit, is a dispatching or administrative body of the imperial court and the provincial government of the Qing Dynasty. Its main function is to conduct military control for material social affairs in relation to the local salt, grain, river channel, publicity security, and more.