TheKingdom of Shu (221-263) was one of the Three Kingdoms competing for control of China after the fall of the Han Dynasty (206BC-AD220).

During the decline of the Han Dynasty, the area surrounding Shu was under the control of Liu Bei, a distant relative of the Han Emperor. After Cao Pi of the Wei seized the imperial throne in 220, he proclaimed himself as the next Han Emperor and the ruler of China. Therefore, the Kingdom of Shu is also known as theKingdom of Shu-Han. Although Liu is said to be the founder of the Shu-Han Dynasty, he never claimed to be the founder of a new dynasty.

In 222, Liu initiated an unsuccessful attack on the Kingdom of Wu and died of illness one year later. He was succeeded by Liu Chan, who did not really care for governance and left his kingdom in the hands of his ministers.

The prime minister of the Shu, Zhuge Liang, whose name is synonmous with wisdom in China, made peace with Wu since he had a bigger target -- the Kingdom of Wei. He died of disease during his seventh attempt to conquer Wei. Jiang Wei, his successor, also failed.

In 263, it was Wei's turn to attack Shu. Jiang was killed and the kingdom was conquered. Liu Chan was captured by Luoyang and given the title Duke of Comfort by the Wei Emperor.