The Jin & 16 Kingdoms period was an era marked by political, fragmentation and cultural transformation in China. This period can be subdivided in: i) The Jin Dynasty (AD265 - 420), which comprised the Western Jin (AD265 - 316) & Eastern Jin (AD317 - 420), and ii) The 16 Kingdoms period (AD304 - 439) which include the following key states; Han Zhao, Later Zhao, Former Yan, Later Yan, Southern Yan, Northern Yan, Former Qin, Later Qin, Former Liang, and Western Liang.