Ezhou has a long rich history. Its Han Dynasty (206 BC - 220 AD) name derives from the ancient Zhou Dynasty (1046-256 BC) vassal State of E located nearby. Its administrative region was changed several times but the name stayed the same until the Three Kingdoms (220-280 AD). During this period it was made the capital of the Wu Kingdom by Sun Quan and was named Wuchang. This name was attested in use as late as 1915, which in that era proved confusing to travellers, as it was also applied to the much larger city of Wuchang, which was soon to become one of the constituent parts of Wuhan. Throughout China's history it has remained an important city politically, economically, and militarily with its strategic position along the middle part of the Yangtze River. It is also an important place in the history of the Pure Land Sect of Buddhism.