峨山历史悠久，据塔甸老龙洞出土的旧石器时期人类下颌骨及石器、骨器、动物骨骼化石，证明距今约1—2万年前就有人类生息繁衍。据史籍记载，峨山地域在先秦时期属古滇国辖地，汉属益州郡愈元县地。三国时期益州郡划设建宁郡，峨山属建宁郡俞元县地，隋属南宁州总管府。唐初属南宁州绛县地。后属南诏通海都督府。宋大理国时期属秀山郡。元宪宗六年（1256年）置嶍峨千户，隶阿僰万户。元世祖至元十三年（1276年）改置嶍峨州，隶临安路；二十六年（1289年）改置嶍峨县，隶属安府。明洪武十五年（1382年）仍置嶍峨县，隶临安府。清沿明制。民国建立人仍名嶍峨县。民国2年（1913年）裁府设道，隶蒙自道。民国18年（1929年）废道制，直隶云南省政府。民国19年（1930年）更名为峨山县。中华人民共和国建立后，于1949年10月24日在甸中成立峨山县临时人民政府。1950年2月2日县临时人民政府由甸中迁回县城。1951年5月12日成立峨山民族自治县。 1954年6月18日改称峨山县彝族自治区。1956年1月17日改称峨山彝族自治县隶玉溪专区。1971年隶玉溪地区。1998年隶玉溪市。

History evolution of Eshan
     Eshan has a long history, the fossil of human lower jaw, stone implements, bone, and animal skeleton which unearthed in ancient dragon hole of Tadian during the Paleolithic Age certified that 10 thousands to 20 thousands years ago, human being lived and multiplied on this area. According to the textbook of history, Eshan belongs to ancient Dian kingdom in the pre-Qin Dynasty. In the Han Dynasty, Eshan belongs to Yuyuan county, Yizhou prefecture, While in Three Kingdoms period, Yizhou county is assign to Jianning Prefecture, so Eshan was under the jurisdiction of Yiyuan County of Jiangning Prefecture. In the Sui Dynasty, Eshan belongs to the butler mansion of Nanning State. In the early Tang Dynasty, it belongs to the Jiang town of Nanning, and then transform powers to Tonghai of Nanzhao. In the Song Dynasty, Eshan belongs to Xiushan county. In 1256, it belongs to Xu-e Qianhu. and ruled by Aji wanhu, in 1276, Xu-e State was established, and then it belongs to Lin'an road. In 1382, Xu-e county was established, and belongs to Lin'an mansion. In the Qing Dynasty, it Followed the rule of Ming Dynasty. During the period of the Republic of China, the county was renamed Xu-e. In 1913, Xu-e canceled mansion and established Dao rule, it was under the jurisdiction of Mengzi Dao. In 1929, it canceled Dao rule and is under the jurisdiction of Yunnan Province, in 1930, it was renamed Eshan County. When the People's Republic of China was born, the Eshan temporary People's Government was established in Dianzhong on oct.24,1949. On Feb.2,1950, it returned to Eshan county. On May 12th, 1951, Eshan Nationality Autonomous County was set up, Then on June 18, 1954, it was called Eshan Nationality Autonomous Country. On Jan.17, 1956, it was renamed Eshan Yi Nationality Autonomous Country. Under the jurisdiction of Yuxi Prefecture. In 1971, it was under the jurisdiction of Yuxi District, while 1998 was under the jurisdiction of Yuxi City.