Monday, August 27, 2007
Ming Dynasty map - (AD 1368 to 1644 – 277 years)
THE EMPERORS:
1) The Hongwu Emperor (September 21, 1328 - June 24, 1398), personal name Zhu Yuanzhang, was the founder and first emperor (1368 - 98) of the Ming Dynasty of China.
Due to the anti-Mongol sentiments that developed in the early 14th century, many Chinese perceived the Yuan Dynasty as being foreign and illegitimate. It was during this era that Zhu Yuanzhang led a peasant revolution that was instrumental in expelling the Yuan Dynasty and forcing the Mongols to retreat to the Mongolian steppes. Consequently, he claimed the title Son of Heaven for himself and established the Ming Dynasty in 1368.
Portrait of Hongwu Emperor
2) The Jianwen Emperor (December 5, 1377-July 13, 1402), with the personal name Zhu Yunwen, reigned as the second Emperor of the Ming dynasty.
His father, Crown Prince Zhu Biao , was the son and designated heir of the Hongwu Emperor. When Zhu Biao died in 1392 before ascending to the throne, the Hongwu emperor made Zhu Biao's son Zhu Yunwen his successor, rather than Zhu Biao's younger brother Zhu Di.
The Jianwen reign was short (1398-1402). In 1402 the throne was usurped by Zhu Yunwen's uncle Zhu Di, mainly because of his suppression on the feudal lords. The emperor is said to have died in a fire of the palace during the coup. The Jianwen emperor was advised by a group of scholars, later known as the Four Martyrs, who were killed by Yongle. The record of Jianwen's rule was systematically erased by Yongle and no temple name was given to Jianwen.
Portrait of Jianwen Emperor
3)The Yongle Emperor (May 2, 1360 - August 12, 1424), born Zhu Di (Chu Ti) , was the third emperor of the Ming Dynasty of China from 1402 to 1424. His era name means "Perpetually Jubilant". His usurpation of the throne is now sometimes called the "Second Founding" of the Ming. He is generally considered one of the greatest emperors of the Ming Dynasty, and to be among the greatest Chinese emperors.
He was the Prince of Yan, possessing a heavy military base in Beijing. He became known as Chengzu of Ming Dynasty after becoming emperor following a civil war.
He commissioned most of the exploratory sea voyages of Zheng He. During his reign the monumental Yongle Encyclopedia was completed.
He moved the capital from Nanjing to Beijing. According to a popular legend, the capital was moved when the emperor's advisors brought the emperor to the hills surrounding Nanjing and pointed out the emperor's palace showing the vulnerablity of the palace to artillery attack.
The Yongle Emperor is buried in the Changling tomb, the central and largest mausoleum of the Ming Dynasty Tombs.
(Map of Ming Dynasty under Yongle Emperor's reign.)
THE OTHER EMPERORS OF MING DYNASTY:
After the Xuande emperor died in 1435, his successors were no longer keen on voyages of the treasure fleet.
GEOGRAPHY OF MING DYNASTY:
as told by us;
12:29 AM