Battle of Handan

This article is about a battle during Warring States period. For the military campaign in 1945, see Handan Campaign.
Battle of Handan
Part of Warring States Period

Battle of Handan
Date259 BCE – 257 BCE
Location
Handan
Result

Allied Zhao, Wei and Chu victory

  • Qin expansion temporarily halted
Belligerents
Qin Zhao
Wei
Chu
Commanders and leaders
Wang Ling
Wang He
Zheng Anping Surrendered

Zhao:

Wei:

Chu:

Strength
Qin: 650,000 Zhao: All forces
Wei: 80,000
Chu: 100,000
Casualties and losses
Qin suffered a major defeat, which was rare in the late Warring States period. Zhao slightly recovered from the Battle of Changping and managed to survive for several more decades.

The Battle of Handan began in 259 BC and concluded in 257 BC, during which the garrison of Handan, the capital city of Zhao, joined by the allied force of Wei and Chu, defeated the invading army of Qin. It was one of the most remarkable failures of the Qin army after the Reform of Shang Yang.