Princess Pingyang

History has no shortage of powerful figures, yet the contributions of women often slip into the shadows, their victories overshadowed by more famous male counterparts. One such forgotten force is Princess Pingyang, a noblewoman who defied expectations and forged an army that helped establish the Tang Dynasty in 7th-century China. She was not merely a princess—she was a strategist, a leader, and a warrior who proved that revolution did not belong to men alone.

A Dynasty in Chaos

Princess Pingyang was the daughter of Li Yuan, a high-ranking official under the declining Sui Dynasty. By the late 6th century, the Sui rulers had exhausted the empire with brutal policies and disastrous military campaigns, pushing the country toward rebellion. Sensing an opportunity, Li Yuan planned a revolt to overthrow the Sui, but he needed strong allies. He didn’t realize that his most formidable ally would be his own daughter.

At the time, Pingyang was newly married and living away from her father’s growing rebellion. Yet, when news broke that Li Yuan had officially declared war, she made a choice few noblewomen dared—she abandoned her palace life and took action.

A Princess Builds an Army

While most royal women were expected to retreat to safety, Pingyang returned to her family's land, determined to support her father’s cause. However, she did not merely pledge loyalty; she assembled an army of 70,000 warriors.

Instead of relying on brute force to recruit soldiers, Pingyang used strategy and diplomacy. She distributed food and supplies to struggling villages, winning their trust. Many towns willingly pledged allegiance to her cause, recognizing her leadership and generosity. Unlike warlords who seized power through violence, she created an army that fought not just for conquest, but for the people.

Her forces were so disciplined and respected that they became known as “The Army of the Lady”, an unprecedented title that reflected not only her strength but the admiration she commanded.

Turning the Tide of War

Pingyang wasted no time leading her troops into battle. Under her command, her army swiftly seized key cities, dismantling Sui power bit by bit. She combined tactical combat with diplomatic negotiations, ensuring that villages welcomed her forces rather than resisted.

Her victories played a pivotal role in weakening the Sui Dynasty, allowing her father to push forward with his rebellion. Without Pingyang’s contributions, the war would have been far longer and bloodier. Her forces laid the foundation for the fall of the Sui in 618 CE, making way for her father to establish the Tang Dynasty, one of China’s greatest dynasties.

A Hero’s Farewell

With the war won and her father crowned Emperor, one would expect Pingyang to be celebrated alongside the greatest military minds in history. Instead, her name faded from mainstream historical records, her role diminished in comparison to male generals.

Yet, her father understood her importance. When she passed away, he honored her with a full military funeral, an exceedingly rare recognition for a woman. She was laid to rest not as a princess, but as a warrior.

Legacy of a Forgotten General

Princess Pingyang’s story remains one of the greatest examples of women defying historical expectations. She did not seek permission to lead—she simply did, proving that courage and strategy were not bound by gender.

She shattered the belief that women in ancient China belonged in palaces rather than battlefields. She did not wait for a prince to save her kingdom—she built an army and saved it herself.

It is time history remembers her not as a princess, but as the general she was.