Han dynasty census records

During the Han Dynasty (206 BCE – 220 CE), the Chinese government conducted regular census records to track the population and resources of its empire. These censuses aimed to record the number of households, males, and sometimes females, to better manage taxation and conscription for military service. The census data also helped the government understand agricultural productivity and ensure equitable distribution of land. These records were essential for effective governance, resource allocation, and maintaining social order, thus laying a foundation for future administrative practices in China.