Xiang Liang (died 208 BC) was a Chinese rebel leader who fought against the Qin dynasty during the late 3rd century BC. He was the uncle of Xiang Yu, who took over his rebellion after his death in battle at Dingtao.
Biography[]
Xiang Liang was born in Suqian, Jiangsu, the son of the Chu general Xiang Yan and the brother of Xiang Bo. He and his brother were raised as commoners in Qin after their father's death during the Conquest of Chu in 223 BC, and he took his nephew Xiang Yu under his care and secretly plotted to overthrow Emperor Qin Shi Huangdi for years.
By the way, Xiang Liang secretly built up a militia, and, during the peasant rebellions of 209 BC, Xiang Liang emerged as one of the major leaders. His army grew from 8,000 to 70,000 warriors, and he installed Xiong Xin as Emperor Yi of Chu, his puppet ruler.
In 208 BC, he was slain in battle by the Qin general, Zhang Han at Dingtao, and his nephew took over his rebellion.