baojia

or pao-chia

Chinese village militia system created by Wang Anshi as part of his reforms of 1069–76. Units of 10 families were regularly trained and supplied with arms, thereby reducing the government's dependence on mercenaries. Members were mutually responsible for each other. The system was resurrected in the 19th century to help put down the Taiping Rebellion and was practiced again from 1934 to the establishment of the People's Republic in 1949.

Find more information on baojia. Upgrade to Britannica Online for more on baojia.