History of China

History of China

Chinese civilization originated in various regional centers along both the Yellow River and the Yangtze River valleys in the Neolithic era, but the Yellow River is said to be the Cradle of Chinese Civilization. The written history of China can be found as early as the Shang Dynasty (ca. 1700 BC ca. 1046 BC). Oracle bones with ancient Chinese writing from the Shang Dynasty have been radiocarbon dated to as early as 1500 BC. The origins of Chinese culture, literature and philosophy developed during the Zhou Dynasty (1045 BC-256 BC).

Shang Dynasty (ca. 1700-1046 BC)

The earliest written record of Chinese past so far discovered dates from the Shang Dynasty in perhaps the 13th century BC and takes the form of inscriptions of divination records on the bones or shells of animalsthe so-called oracle bones. Archaeological findings providing evidence for the existence of the Shang Dynasty, ca. 1600-1046 BC, are divided into two sets. Those who lived during the Shang Dynasty also believed that their ancestors - their parents and grandparents - became like gods when they died, and that their ancestors wanted to be worshipped too, like gods. Each family worshipped its own ancestors.

Around 1500 BC, the Chinese began to use written oracle bones to predict the future. By the time of the Zhou Dynasty (about 1100 BC), the Chinese were also worshipping a natural force called tian, which is usually translated as Heaven. Like Shangdi, Heaven ruled over all the other gods, and it decided who would rule China, under the Mandate of Heaven.

The ruler could rule as long as he or she had the Mandate of Heaven. It was believed that the emperor or empress had lost the Mandate of Heaven when natural disasters occurred in great number, and when, more realistically, the sovereign had apparently lost his concern for the people. In response, the royal house would be overthrown, and a new house would rule, having been granted the Mandate of Heaven.

Chinese historians living in later periods were accustomed to the notion of one dynasty succeeding another, but the actual political situation in early China is known to have been much more complicated. Hence, as some scholars of China suggest, the Xia and the Shang can possibly refer to political entities that existed concurrently, just as the early Zhou is known to have existed at the same time as the Shang.

Zhou Dynasty (1066-256 BC)

The Zhou Dynasty was the longest-lasting dynasty in Chinese history, from 1066 BC to approximately 256 BC. By the end of the 2nd millennium BC, the Zhou Dynasty began to emerge in the Yellow River valley, overrunning the territory of the Shang. The Zhou appeared to have begun their rule under a semi-feudal system. This would be the first of many population migrations from north to south in Chinese history.

Qin Dynasty (221-206 BC)

Historians often refer to the period under Qin Dynasty as Imperial China. Though the unified reign of the Qin Emperor lasted only 12 years, he managed to subdue great parts of what constitutes the core of the Han Chinese homeland and to unite them under a tightly centralized Legalist government seated at.

The Qin Emperor presided over the brutal silencing of political opposition, including the event known as the burning of books and burying of scholars.

Terracotta Army

The Terracotta Army was discovered in the spring of 1974 in the eastern suburbs of Xian Province by local farmers named Yang who were drilling a water well 1.5 miles east of Mount Li.

The Terracotta Army is a form of funerary art buried with the First Emperor of Qin in 210-209 BC. The Army's purpose was to help rule another empire with Qin Shi Huang in the afterlife. Consequently, they are also sometimes referred to as "Qin's Armies."

Construction of this mausoleum began in 246 BC and involved 700,000 workers. Mount Li had been chosen as a site for its auspicious geology: it once had a gold mine on its north face and a jade mine on its south face, demonstrating not only its sacred value, but also perhaps how the tunnels had come to be dug in the first place. Qin Shi Huang was 13 when construction began. He specifically stated that no two soldiers were to be made alike.

Construction

The terracotta figures are life-like and life-sized. They vary in height, uniform and hairstyle in accordance with rank. The colored lacquer finish, individual facial features, and actual weapons and armor from battle used in manufacturing these figures created a realistic appearance. The original weapons were stolen by robbers shortly after the creation of the army and the coloring has faded greatly. However, their existence serves as a testament to the amount of labor and skill involved in their construction. It also reveals the power the First Emperor possessed, enabling him to command such a monumental undertaking.

The Qin Dynasty is well known for beginning the Great Wall of China, which was later augmented and enhanced during the Ming Dynasty

Han Dynasty (202 BCAD 220)

The Han Dynasty (202 BC AD 220) emerged in 206 BC, with its founder Liu Bang proclaimed emperor in 202 BC. It was the first dynasty to embrace the philosophy of Confucianism, which became the ideological underpinning of all regimes until the end of imperial China. Under the Han Dynasty, China made great advances in many areas of the arts and sciences. Emperor Wu consolidated and extended the Chinese empire into the steppes of modern Inner Mongolia.

Ming Dynasty (AD 13681644)

Hong-Wu, the founder of the dynasty, laid the foundations for a state interested less in commerce and more in extracting revenues from the agricultural sector. Perhaps because of the Emperor's background as a peasant, the Ming economic system emphasized agriculture, unlike that of the Song and the Mongolian Dynasties, which relied on traders and merchants for revenue.

The deadliest earthquake of all times, the Shaanxi earthquake of 1556 that killed approximately 830,000 people occurred during the Jiajing Emperor's reign.

During the Ming dynasty the last construction on the Great Wall was undertaken to protect China from foreign invasions. While the Great Wall had been built in earlier times, most of what is seen today was either built or repaired by the Ming. The brick and granite work was enlarged, the watch towers were redesigned, and cannons were placed along its length.

Facts about the Great Wall of China

The construction of the Great Wall of China was started in circa 220 B.C., under Qin Shi Huang, and continued till rule of the Ming dynasty (1368-1644).

The Great Wall of China is more than 7 meters high and over 5 meters wide.

The aim behind the construction of the wall was to protect the agricultural lands from invasion and to keep the people from moving out of the Chinese empire.

The Great Wall of China is one of the Seven Wonders of the World.

The construction of the wall was the result of the labor of over a million people, who comprised of peasants, prisoners and soldiers.

Thousands of people are believed to have died during the construction of the Great Wall of China.

Earlier, the wall was known as Ten Thousand Li Wall, referring to the walls length.

The sections of the wall, in the eastern part of China, have been made of bricks and stones, while the western sections of wall have been constructed out of earth and grass.

The Great Wall is actually made up of a number of interconnecting walls and is not a single wall in itself.

The wall was not constructed at one go. Several different dynasties, which ruled over the 2,000 years of its construction, claim the credit for it.

There are more than 10,000 watchtowers and beacon towers on the Great Wall of China.

The average height of the Great Wall of China is somewhere around 25 feet.

The Great Wall of China was declared as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, in the year 1987.

The Great Wall of China stretches over an area of approximately 6700 km in total.

The Forbidden City

Construction for the Forbidden City began in 1406 and lasted 15 years, and required more than a million workers.

After being the home of 24 emperors fourteen of the Ming Dynasty and ten of the Qing Dynasty the Forbidden City ceased being the political centre of China in 1912 with the abdication of Puyi, the last Emperor of China. Under an agreement with the new Republic of China government, Puyi remained in the Inner Court, while the Outer Court was given over to public use, until he was evicted after a coup in 1924.

Description

Plan of the Forbidden City.

A. Meridian Gate B. Gate of Divine Might C. West Glorious GateD. East Glorious GateE. Corner towersF. Gate of Supreme Harmony G. Hall of Supreme Harmony

H. Hall of Military EminenceJ. Hall of Literary GloryK. Southern Three PlacesL. Palace of Heavenly Purity M. Imperial gardenN. Hall of Mental Cultivation O. Palace of Tranquil Longevity

Walls and gates

The Meridian Gate, front entrance to the Forbidden City, with two protruding wings

The northwest corner tower

Outer Court

The Hall of Supreme Harmony

The sign of the Hall of Supreme Harmony

The throne in the Hall of Preserving Harmony

The Hall of Central Harmony (foreground) and the Hall of Preserving Harmony

Traditionally, the Forbidden City is divided into two parts. The Outer Court or Front Court includes the southern sections, and was used for ceremonial purposes. The Inner Court or Back Palace includes the northern sections, and was the residence of the Emperor and his family, and was used for day-to-day affairs of state.

Inner Court

It was the home of the Emperor and his family. In the Qing Dynasty, the Emperor lived and worked almost exclusively in the Inner Court, with the Outer Court used only for ceremonial purposes.

The Palace of Heavenly Purity

At the centre of the Inner Court is another set of three halls. From the south, these are the Palace of Heavenly Purity, Hall of Union, and the Palace of Earthly Tranquility. The Emperor, representing Yang and the Heavens, would occupy the Palace of Heavenly Purity. The Empress, representing Yin and the Earth, would occupy the Palace of Earthly Tranquility. In between them was the Hall of Union, where the Yin and Yang mixed to produce harmony.

The throne in the Palace of Heavenly Purity

Taoism

Taoism (modernly: Daoism) is a philosophical and religious tradition that emphasizes living in harmony with the Tao. The term Tao means "way", "path" or "principle", and can also be found in Chinese philosophies and religions other than Taoism.

Daoism is one of Chinas major religions indigenous to the country. The primary belief is in learning and practicing The Way (Dao) which is the ultimate truth to the universe.

Also known as Taoism, Daoism traces its roots to 6th Century BC Chinese philosopher Laozi wrote the iconic book Dao De Jing on the tenets of the Dao.

Daoism as a religion didnt really flourish until hundreds of years later around 100 AD, when Taoist hermit Zhang Daoling founded a sect of Daoism known as the Way of the Celestial Matters. Through his teachings, Zhang and his successors codified many aspects of Daoism.

Conflicts with Buddhism:

Daoism grew quickly from 200-700 AD, where more rituals and practices emerged. During this period, Daoism faced competition from the growing spread of Buddhism which came to China via traders and missionaries from India.

Unlike Buddhism, Daoists do not believe that life is suffering. Daoism believes that life is generally happy but that it should be lived with balance and virtue. The two religions often butted heads when both vied to become the official religion of the Imperial Court. Daoism did become the official religion of the Tang Dynasty (618-906 AD), but in later dynasties it was supplanted by Buddhism.

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