famous emperors china

He united China under one rule for the first time in 221 BC. Wu Zetian is, of course, most famous for being the only female emperor of China. The dynasty, led by a king meant that the father passed down the kingdom and leadership to his son (usually the eldest), or a close relation like a nephew. Juicy, isn't it? Before Qin Shihuang, China had the Zhou, Shang, and supposedly Xia dynasties. Emeror Guangwu (private name: Liu Xiu ) was an emperor of the Chinese Han Dynasty, thus founder of the Eastern Han. While his successes are impressive, he also severely depleted the treasury with his constant war efforts. The images themselves have been reproduced on popular tourist souvenirs such as playing cards. Emperor Zhengde (ruled 1572-1620) was the longest reigning emperor of the Ming Dynasty (48 years). Her reign lasted from 690 AD to 705 AD during which she made some major reforms. Each dynastyor distinct line of rulers from the same group, order, or familyproduced powerful emperors and leaders, each of whom sought to hold sway over the entirety of the massive region. Emperor Kangxi 1654 1722) Qing Dyansty. As the first emperor of a unified China, Emperor Qin of the Qin Dynasty was the first Chinese ruler to use the word Huangdi, which means Emperor. All Rights Reserved. A lot of great and famous Chinese emperors did not build up their empires. Yet, centuries later, China continues to benefit from his decisions. He assumed the throne at the age of only three years when his uncle died. To this legendary emperor is attributed the earliest known Chinese medical writing, Huang-ti Nei ching (The Canon of Internal Medicine).This work consists of two treatises, one a dialogue about living matter between Huang Ti / and his minister Qibo , and the other a description of medical physiology, anatomy, and acupuncture. Other reasons for the rebellion include Xuanzongs increasing negligence towards imperial management and how he permitted Yangs relatives to dominate the imperial court. Without a doubt, Han Wudi then ruled over one of the largest and strongest empires in antiquity. It was only after he had defeated the Yuan Dynasty that his army marched to the capital of Beijing and the Yuan Dynasty leader took off with his family. Among them the following ten emperors have won the greatest respects from their people for their outstanding achievements in social development. King Huai Wang of Chu, Mi Huai. Throughout these dynasties, many armies were raised and thousands of battles were fought throughout Eastern Asia; it was However, his prosperous and peaceful reign does qualify him as one of Chinas greatest emperors. Thanks for your correction. 2. Meet the man who moved the Chinese capital to Beijing and is credited for building The Forbidden City! A rationalist by nature, Taizong furthermore improved imperial examination systems, scorned superstitions, and tolerated criticism. And even though he served using a regent, he was forced to abdicate therefore ending the imperial system which had been ruling China for thousands of years, and also bringing to an end the 267 years of the Qing Dynasty rule in China. Director: Bernardo Bertolucci | Stars: John Lone, Joan Chen, Peter O'Toole, Ruocheng Ying Votes: 103,529 | Gross: $43.98M 4. It was during his short rule that he moved the Chinese capital center from Nanjing to Beijing, therefore, centralizing power and money, and greatly expanded the Forbidden City; a city that became home to about 22 emperors after him. Happy travels! Wu Zetian adopted some liberal and advanced political systems, including selecting talent on a large scale, conducting economic development and responding positively to expostulation.The stable society and booming economy during her reign laid a foundation for the Kaiyuan Flourishing Age later in the Tang Dynasty. Worse, he was by nature cantankerous, and in older age, exceptionally superstitious and paranoid. Martial arts techniques have had thousands of years to develop and there are hundreds of different styles. Whats more, Chengzu also officiated the truly inhuman practice of killing concubines upon an emperors death. Emperor Guangwu also went by a private name of Liu Xiu. The seventh emperor of the Han dynasty, Emperor Wu of Han successfully ruled over China from 141 BC to 87 BC. Situated in the city of Chengde in northeastern Hebei Province, The Imperial Mountain Resort is the most famous summer resort of emperors of Qing Dynasty. To give some indications of Kangxis able administration, his treasury near tripled from 14 million taels at the start of his reign, to 50 million at its peak. (UN)fortunately, or not, a lot of us Chinese take that to be the concrete truth. Even during the most prosperous eras of Ancient China, large segments of the population were impoverished. Yuan Longping (1930-2021) Name in Chinese: (Yun Lngpng) Famous as: Plant Scientist Yuan Longping was one of the greatest agricultural scientists of our time, a hero who will be forever remembered in China and around the world. Cheeky Kid from Milky Way on October 29, 2016: All this time, I thought the first ever emperor was an emperor named "Yu"--Emperor Yu. Many things could be written about Qin Shihuang, the so-called first Emperor of China. He was believed to have kept more than 1,000 concubines and introduced the barbaric tradition of concubines being killed after the death of their emperor. The most notorious of these were book burnings and the live burials of scholars ( | fenshu kengru). List is ordered chronologically by their birth year. Fascinating artwork, I enjoyed this. Under his reign, Tang China flourished. Some Chinese historians consider him the greatest Chinese ruler of all time. The Qing Dynasty was established in 1644 after the Manchurians, descendants of the Jurchens, overthrew the Ming Dynasty. Genghis Khan is also known as the genocidal ruler due to his brutality towards civilians. He initiated various reforms that benefited trade such as reopening the Grand Canal for the exchange of goods which served as a major economic link in China. Many Chinese emperors, including Emperor Qin for example, envisaged that their dynasty would last for ten thousand years, hence the title Lord of Ten Thousand Years. Tragically, however, Xianzongs latter year obsession with legendary beauty Consort Yang (, Yang Guifei) contributed to the Anshi Rebellion, which in turn kick-started the decline of the Tang Dynasty. The criteria is difficult to define. Of note, though, despite these accomplishments, Wudi is seldom regarded by Chinese historians as an exceptional or enlightened ruler. Howeverusuallymilitary achievements, cultural contributions and historical feats all have to be considered. He and his army conquered China and ended the Yuan Dynasty, forcing the Mongols to retreat to the central Asian steppe. He was not liked by either his father or grandfather and was not taught governance or given support. Return to Book Page Not the book you're looking for? Empress Zetians love for art and culture can clearly be seen in the many buildings and bronze figures which were made under her rule and are still in existence today. Quite likely, it would have stayed the messy collection of bickering states it was before Qin Shihuangs rule. Needless to say, this would have badly crippled the development of the Middle Kingdom as a major civilization. Previously, emperors had endorsed the idea of killing the families of their political opponents but Ming Chengzu extended this to the execution of their friends and teachers too. Anyway giid post and imagery! 1600-1050 B.C. He eliminated feudal separatist force and reunified the feudal country. This was the first time when all the territories of China were governed by one ruler. Answer (1 of 5): Before I answer this question, I first must outline one fact about Emperors of China and why my answer is not actually easily derived or accurate. Visitors to China today would encounter Emperor Qianlong one way or another. Li Shimin is one of China's most well-known emperors. Here is a list of ten of the most famous empresses in Chinese history. When the emperor died, she married his son Gaozong, and actually ruled behind the emperor.. Everything was well laid out for him. According to the historical text, the Records of the Grand Historian or the Shiji, ancient Chinese civilization began under the Xia dynasty (2070 BC1600 BC) and culminated with the Qing dynasty (1644 AD1911 AD) after which the creation of the republic took place which marked the end of the dynastic era. For that matter, he succeeded where no other conqueror of China, in history, ever did. Of note, the same could not remotely be said for most of the emperors in the preceding Ming Dynasty. Account & Lists Returns & Orders. He grew up in quite a hostile family and it is said that his father had not been liked by his grandfather Wanli Emperor. He is remembered for being the founder of the Qin Dynasty. He suppressed the Revolt of the Three Feudatories, bringing the island of Taiwan under Qing Dynasty, blocked Tzarist Russia on the Amur River and expanded the empire in the northwest. Shang Dynasty, Confucius. He acknowledged the power of the peasants and enacted measures to help them. Rather, they benefitted from the labors of forefathers. Emperor Qin came to the throne as King of Qin at the tender age of 13, and became Chinas first emperor at the age of 38. Many goods were traded internationally during his reign, marking the beginning of an economically and culturally rich emerging power. The Han Chinese are an East Asian ethnic group- from China, who make up 18% of the worlds population. As a seasoned strategist, Chengzus many military expeditions furthermore suppressed the Northern Mongolian threat, these tribes being the remnants of the previous Yuan Dynasty. Excellent summaries. The first great khan of the empire, he reigned from 1206 AD to 1227 AD and the empire flourished for years after his death. It was amazing! 28 reviews #602 of 1,138 Restaurants in Phnom Penh $$ - $$$ Chinese Asian Cantonese. Nonetheless, Xuanzongs contributions to China in its development as an enduring Asian superpower is, on the whole, undeniable. The most famous victim of this horrific punishment was the historian, Sima Qian. 10. He reformed China by invading nations such as Vietnam and Mongolia and is known to have sent a ship to the Indian Ocean and Africa. China then dominated even Central Eurasia and Tibet. He was a great leader and a tyrant in equal measure. Even though he named his empire Yongle which means eternal happiness, in reality he was a barbaric ruler who made few social reforms. The reason behind this may be his insecurity over the misuse of power by military officials or his own fear of rebellion, something that he was very familiar with, having already staged a coup himself. These were all crucial to the sustainable growth of the Chinese empire and Chinese culture. Outside of political management, the insightful emperor commissioned the extensive Kangxi Dictionary, which upon completion, contained over 47,000 characters. Management-wise, he was largely successful in improving the efficiency of the bureaucracy, weeding out corruption, and enhancing fiscal policies. Though often infuriated, he continued to respect and honor Wei Zheng till beyond the latters passing. Tangtaizong: was the emperor at the peak of China's glory, during the Tang dynasty. As a ruler, Qianlong was furthermore a great patron of the arts and religion. He lived a long life and ruled for 60 years. Because of this, subsequent Chinese dynasties and emperors all regarded Taizongs reign as an age of enlightenment. As a ruler, Ying Zheng was appallingly brutal during his conquest of the various states too. It is the site for an important rite, held at the winter solstice, in which the emperor reports on the state of the nation to the heaven and pays it homage. Many other emperors would have refused, and instead, executed the guards. He was the founder and first emperor of the Yuan dynasty. The Terracotta Army was built by Emperor Qin Shi Huang, China's very first emperor. Qianlong was a grandson of the Emperor Kangxi and the fourth Emperor of the Qing Dynasty. She was actually the first female Emperor in the history of China. 1. He was the second emperor of the Tang Dynasty. A renowned name in Chinese history, also known as the First Emperor of China, Qin Shi Huang was the founder of the Qin dynasty. This famous classic is considered to be the bible . It is over 6,300 kilometers long, which makes it the third-longest river in the world. With easy access to Beijing (200 km), it is entitled "the back yard garden of Beijing". It is a foolish mistake. (The use of the Chinese word wang, instead of di, or huangdi). During his early years of reign, he saw the continuity of an era of prosperity. Generally, historians consider leaders the to be kings, not emperors. Here is a list of five of the most famous empresses in Chinese history. Who were the most famous Emperors of China . Wei committed suicide and his wife was sentenced to death. After last constitutional changes, someone calling him new chinese emperor and he is rebuilding superpower position of China which dimnished since collapse of corrupted and weak Qing dynasty. In addition to that title, rulers from different dynasties used other titles like Lord of Ten Thousand Years, Holy Highness, and Son of Heaven. Absolutely inhumane as well, by modern standards. Kangxis efforts would eventually also gift China with over a century of affluence. Thereafter, he had to deal with his elder brother the Crown Prince, who regarded him as a deadly contender for the throne. When talking about Li Shimin, we must first start from the bloody . . It was marred by corruption, inefficiencies, conflict within the government, uprisings within the peasant group, enemies; he also went through bad natural disasters- floods, plague, and constant drought. Emperor Wu of Han by Unknown [Public Domain] Qin Shi Huang (221 BC to 210 BC) - Qin Shi Huang was the first emperor of China and founder of the Qin Dynasty. Finally, the Yongle Encyclopedia ( | Yongle Dadian), commissioned by Chengzu, continues to be one of the most important compendiums of Chinese history, knowledge, and culture. Notoriously, Wudi executed entire clans in 96 BC, including royal relatives, on suspicion of witchcraft. Chongzhen was the 17th and the last emperor of the Ming Dynasty and also, the last Han Chinese to reign as the Emperor of China. Song Taizu (private name: Zhao Kuangyin)was the founder of the Song Dynasty. Kangxi Emperor (private name: Aixinjueluo Xuanye) is considered one of Chinas greatest emperors. During his reign, Emperor Han Wudi thoroughly consolidated the autocratic state of centralized power in the feudal society. Ming Taizu (private name : Zhu Yuanzhang )was the founder and the first emperor of the Ming Dynasty of China. HubPages is a registered trademark of The Arena Platform, Inc. Other product and company names shown may be trademarks of their respective owners. After his death, the emperor, whose original at birth at the name was La Shimin, his son Li Zhi took the throne. His reign lasted from 1402 AD to 1424 AD. All in all, imperial China witnessed more than five hundred emperors spread across a dozen or so dynasties, including famous ones like the Qin dynasty, the Western Han, the Eastern Han, the Sui dynasty, the Tang dynasty, the Ming dynasty, and the Qing dynasty. Over time, these states could have eventually developed starkly different cultures and identities. Closes in 55 min: See all hours. 13 out of the 16 emperors of the Ming Dynasty were buried in the Ming Tombs near Beijing. His reign lasted from 1260 AD to 1294 AD during which he ruled over a vast province that stretched from China to present-day Korea. Prices and download plans . Reigned 247 BC to 221 BC as King of Qin. She worked with efficiency and fairness and employed only officials who were talented and earned their place in court. Hello, Sign in. History, on the other hand, records Yongzheng as a hardworking emperor, not too unlike his long-reigning father. The most renowned project accomplished under his reign was the construction of the Grand Canal. Zhao Kuangyin or Emperor Taizu of Song is the father of the Song dynasty, also the first Song emperor of China. Required fields are marked *. Enjoys superb natural environment, this summer resort was served as the second political center of the Qing imperial court. Austrian Empire Ferdinand (I) (1835-48) Charles (I) (1916-18) Aztec empire Montezuma II (1502-20) Cuauhtmoc (1520-22) Empire of Brazil (1822-89) Pedro I (1822-31) Emperor Yongzheng. Confucius was born in 551 BCE in the state of Lu. Actual name (Aixin Jueluo Hongli). Any top 10 article on the greatest Chinese emperors is bound to be contentious. The first true Chinese emperor. Ced Yong (author) from Asia on October 30, 2016: Hey Garnet! Her achievements are greater than some of the listed rulers here. "A chronological list of all known emperors of China, covering all dynasties: Xia, Shang, Qin, Han, Six Dynasties, Sui, Tang, Five Dynasties, Liao, Song, Yuan, Ming . It is similar in many ways as a monarchy. Up until today, there are still many books and television series that enthusiastically discuss his legendary life. :). Guang Wudi Emperor Guangwu of Han - Wikidata. The Best Chinese Emperors in History Qin Shihuang () Han Wudi () Han Guangwudi () Tang Taizong () Tang Xuanzong () Song Taizhu () Ming Chengzu () Emperor Kangxi () Emperor Yongzheng () Emperor Qianlong () Qin Shihuang. Qin Shihuang () He defeated ot. The book also contains detailed write-ups on the famous emperors featured. Actual name (Aixin Jueluo Yinzhen). This area is famous because it has the most figures of military units from soldiers to archers to chariots and cavalry soldiers. The Yongle emperor was the one who shifted the capital from Nanjing to Beijing. She also massacred a good number of the Lis and usurped the throne. Han Wudi was quite fond of punishing courtiers with castration, known as Gong Xing in Chinese. Once on the dragon throne, Tang Taizong benefitted from the support of several legendary statesmen and generals; for example, the strategist Li Jing. The prominent achievements made in economy, technology, and culture placed China in the forefront of the world. As for Sui Wendi, he was indeed one of the best Chinese emperors. Mongolians remember him as the founding father of Mongolia. Sui Wendi (541 604) Sui Dynasty. Rather full of himself, Emperor Qianlong styled himself as the "old man of 10 perfections" in his later years. A dynasty was a series of leaders usually from the same family or ancestral lineage. The reign of Ming Chengzu left history with the Yongle Encyclopedia which is the largest paper-based encyclopedia. When the leadership was changed to a different family, then the dynasty changed. Have you read my hub, an ancient Chinese sex scandal? His reforms also standardized language, numerical units, and monetary measures. It was officially founded in 1636 in what is now Northeast China, but only succeeded the Ming dynasty in China proper in 1644. Note: Chinese pop entertainment depictions of Xuanzong inevitably focus on his disastrous love for Consort Yang. Practically all lists about the best Chinese emperors do not include Han Guangwudi, which is a great injustice. Famous Emperors in Chinese history (Imperial Cultures of China Series)(English Edition) Shangguan Ping Published byChina Intercontinental Press, 2010 ISBN 10: 7508518101ISBN 13: 9787508518107 Seller: Better World Books Ltd, Dunfermline, United Kingdom Contact seller Seller Rating: Book Rank the following in order from most influential to least, give a reason for each: Wu Di, Confucius, Qin Shi-Huangdi, and Liu Bang. Thanks to the Kangxi Emperor, the Qing dynasty reached a golden age known as the Prosperous Era of Kangxi and Qianlong, or the High Qing, that lasted for a long time even after his death.Emperor Kangxi was a prominent military leader and he quashed several rebellious attacks. In fact, many historians nowadays acknowledge Qianlongs reign as one of the most glorious periods in imperial Chinese history. He established the famous trade route between east and west, known as the Silk Road, and also defeated the nomadic Xiongnu tribes. Regardless of the veracity of these theories, Song Taizhu did bring an end to one of Chinas most tumultuous eras. Whether you want to learn the history of a city, or you simply need a recommendation for your next meal, Discover Walks Team offers an ever-growing travel encyclopaedia. Li Ka-shing's foundation has donated more than $3.3 billion; over 80% has gone to Greater China. An emperor with the full Mandate of Heaven was revered in an almost god-like manner. Ced Yong (author) from Asia on November 21, 2017: Way to go what about cleopatra Though? Empress Wu Zetian, who lived during the Tang Dynasty, was the only female emperor who ruled China.. She was a very controversial figure because she was initially emperor Taizong's concubine.. He was also known as Hongwu Emperor which means vastly martial. Puyi's reign (1908-1912) sadly came to an end following the Xinhai Revolution of 1911 (the Chinese Revolution). Li Shimin, Emperor Taizong of Tang. This led to some write-ups hailing the Song Dynasty as a Chinese era of liberalism. Reigned AD 960 to AD 976. Chinese Emperors have a very loosely defined status of personal wealth, which differs from Western understanding. Often maligned as a bloodthirsty monster in Chinese pulp fiction. His tragic romance with Consort Yang is immortalized in many Chinese stories and poems. Today, these bring in millions of tourism dollars yearly for the Chinese people. The Imperial Mountain Resort. Emperor Taizong of Tang was the second emperor of the Tang dynasty of China. Check out my hub on Chinese myths. Below are the top 10 greatest emperors in Chinese history. Chinese emperors are referred to in many ways. The above said, Chengzus contributions toward the prosperity and growth of the Ming Dynasty China are irrefutable. Your email address will not be published. He only took the throne when his brother (who was supposed to be king), forced him to since he was sick and could not assume the position of the king in his state, and there were fears that Eunuch Wei would take over the throne. This content is accurate and true to the best of the authors knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional. The Emperor did, however, somewhat redeemed himself with the famous Repenting Edict of Luntai (| Luntai Huizhao), which took place after Wudis crown prince rebelled against him. Such streamlining of the imperial bureaucratic structure then pave the way for the Qing Dynasty to rise to its pinnacle under Yongzheng's son, Qianlong. 1. And nope, I don't find your comment at all offensive. Tang Taizong was famous for understanding the mistakes of the previous Sui dynasty and making sure he did not repeat them. Lots of scandalous TV dramas about it too. Overindulgent in his own greatness, Qianlong surrounded himself with sycophants, leading to a sharp rise in nepotism and corruption within the imperial court. His reign was so prestigious that he left a powerful army and a prosperous economy behind him with enough food stocks to last 50 years. Qianlong himself could be considered the last great emperor of China too. To give an example, over 100,000 died during Qins conquest of the Wei State in 225 BC. Despite being known for his brutality, Genghis Khan made many positive developments during his reign. He was a former military general in the Later Zhou dynasty army, but forced Emperor Gong, the last Zhou ruler to give up the throne in a coup during which he illegally seized power. At the same time, Guangwudi was also a brilliant military tactician, who spearheaded the reinstatement of the Han Dynasty after it was usurped for 14 years by Wang Mang, a relative of the previous empress. For several reigns after Chengzus rule, the passing of an emperor always results in mass horror within the Forbidden City. But maybe it's just bad photography. Ultimately, I can't explain beyond saying, Wendi's deeds were great but were "not" as significant as the rest mentioned here. While this was true, Xuanzong did eventually order the execution of Consort Yang, albeit under threat from his guards. This is kinda confusing; I was baffled by it for years. The Chinese invented the printing press. China and India are broken down chronologically by dynasty, empire, or kindgom. These imperial rulers not only enjoyed despotic powers, a good number of them were also terrifyingly cruel when they felt they needed to be. Gan De Gan De was an astrologer and astronomer. To support our blog and writers we put affiliate links and advertising on our page. Enlarged during the reign of the Jiajing emperor (1522-66), the temple is last used in 1915 by Yuan Shikai (1859-1916), president of the short-lived Chinese Republic. Emperor Shi Huang of the Qin Dynasty, Ying Zheng. During a peaceful reign, he expanded his economy and territory, making the Song dynasty a golden period. He subdued the Revolt of the Three Feudatories and the Mongol rebels and established the Kingdom of Tungning in Taiwan. Han Wudi (private name: Liu Che) was the seventh emperor of the Han Dynasty of China, ruling for 54 years. The autobiography From Emperor to Citizen was published after Puyi was reduced to a worker in a repair shop. Born in A.D. 599, he marched with his father Li . Ced Yong (author) from Asia on June 07, 2019: this helped me so much im doing an assesmant on qin. Dont mean offensive, or do not want sound like troll, or initiate flamewar, but what about Xi Jinping? Qin Shihuang (259 BC 210 BC) Qin Dynasty. Mulan II (2004 Video) G | 79 min | Animation, Adventure, Comedy 5.6 Rate this While preparing for their wedding, Shang and Mulan are suddenly sent off on a secret mission. Later, he also thwarted the expansionistic campaigns of Imperial Russia, as well as suppressed Anti-Manchu factions based in Southeastern China. For that reason, I gave a lot of thought to why I didn't think of him when preparing this list, after reading your comment. Your email address will not be published. Emperor Wu was a follower of Confucianism and applied its doctrine as his code of ethics for running the empire. the Empress. love this if theres any more top ten like this id like to read them thanks, Thank you this helped me a lot because Im studying Chinese emperors at school and this helped me a lot. To begin with, her rule was the Zhou Dynasty. Ced Yong (author) from Asia on October 25, 2018: Hey, thanks for the kind comments. Song Taizu (927-976) Song Dynasty. China Whisper 2022. Actual name (Zhao Kuangyin). Whether he masterminded his ascension, or not, Song Taizhu was a capable general who ended a century of internal strife. The bulk of the population was also uneducated. He conquered the Song dynasty to become the first non-Han leader of China. Empress Wu Zetian was a competent and great leader, and as the only Chinese empress, she can be seen as an image of female empowerment in the ancient world. He also put great emphasis on the sturdiness and durability of the palaces. It is believed that after the end of the Han dynasty, he was the only king who brought prosperity to China. We Chinese will never move away from the dynastic mindset. You can read more about Genghis Khan from here. To give some indication of this famous emperors territorial/military accomplishments, at the peak of Wudis reign, Han China extended from the Korean peninsula to Eurasia. In these, Yongzheng is often portrayed as a power-hungry monster who first murdered his father (Kangxi) for the throne, then massacred most of his brothers to secure his rule. 2022 The Arena Media Brands, LLC and respective content providers on this website. After him, the powerful clan preserved the unified Chinese empire and all different kingdoms. He silently relocated to Beijing to live at Tianjin a Japanese colony and was later installed as the emperor of the Japanese puppet state of Manchukuo. Most importantly, Song Taizhu wisely curtailed the authorities of military commanders after his ascension, not through bloodshed or murder, but by coercion. He was succeeded by . He also ordered the construction of the great Forbidden City, and began the medieval fortification of the Qin Dynasty Great Wall. Required fields are marked *. Thank you. Chongzhen is known to have tried to revive the failing Ming Dynasty. Famous Emperors of China (Chinese Edition) [Song Lulu] on Amazon.com. Again according to Sima Qian, the Five Emperors were the Yellow Emperor, Zhuanxu, Emperor Ku, Emperor Yao, and Shun. He initiated the period known as the Prosperous Era of Kangxi and Qianlong, which lasted for generations after his own lifetime. Tang Taizong (599 - 649) - Tang Dynasty Tang Taizong (private name: Li Shimin) is typically considered as one of the greatest emperors in Chinese history. He is not usually included on lists of great Chinese emperors, which is unfair. He ruled for over two decades from 626 to 649. His father then replaced him with Li Zhi instead. There's three ways. Your email address will not be published. He is usually compared to Peter the Great; while he was an ambitious leader who valued political and diplomatic alliances, he was also a brutal man who not only killed his enemies but executed the families and friends. He ordered his favorite eunuch Zheng He to launch major voyages of exploration into the South Pacific and Indian Oceans. Under Emperor Taizong Li Shimins wise governing, the national strength and social development reached an unparalleled prosperity. During this, he personally killed his elder and third brother. 12 Guangxu Emperor Kangxis greatest success, however, was neither his military campaigns nor his fiscal management, it was how he cemented Manchurian rule of China. In turn, by overthrowing Wang Mang, Guangwudi revitalized the dying Han Dynasty and kept it going for another two centuries. For thousands of years, powerful dynasties ruled over China. He enjoys powers equivalent to that of a typical Chinese emperor, but whether that would benefit or harm China in the long run remains to be seen. This list of Chinese monarchs includes rulers of China with various titles prior to the establishment of the Republic in 1912. Historical portraits all tend to depict the emperors as rather stately. Zhu Yuanzhang was the founder of the Ming Dynasty in 1368; a dynasty that ruled China for 276 years under 16 emperors. In summary, without Guangwudis accomplishments, Ancient China could have reverted to being a collection of warring states, never recovering from the wounds inflicted by Wang Mangs coup. He reigned as the Emperor of the Empire of Japan () from 25 December 1926 until 1947 and of the state of Japan () from 1947 until his death on 7 January 1989. Many scholars believe that Huangdi was actually a deity, but was . Decline always follows a pinnacle. Personally, I feel Wu Zetian is one of those historical characters that would forever draw opposing opinions. He forgave and forgot previous ferocity and was strict with award and punishment, thus creating Guangwu Periods of Splendor. Much death and hardship for commoners would have also resulted. Xian City Wall, Xian, Shaanxi Area 4. While Qianlong didnt suffer a dramatic reversal of fate like Tang Xuanzong, the Qing Dynasty went into decline during his later reign. China was ruled by 13 known dynasties, between 2070 BC to 1912. Wudi, the seventh emperor of the Han Dynasty, is a prime example of this. Most significantly, Qianlongs reign left a crucial political lesson for China. The numbers do not indicate any form of ranking. List is ordered chronologically by their birth year. During Taizongs reign, Tang was the largest and the strongest nation in the world. A diligent and wise ruler. Reigned 221 BC to 210 BC as Emperor of China (the Qin Dynasty). China became a great and powerful nation during his imperial reign. Some even naively believed that they could be immortal and thereby rule for a thousand years. Here is a list of the top 10 greatest emperors of ancient China. The second longest-reigning Chinese emperor at sixty and a half years, Qianlong was fond of touring his empire, and during these trips, left tons of calligraphy and paintings everywhere. Following the collapse of the Ming dynasty in 1644, members of the Ming imperial family continued to rule parts of southern China until . Ced Yong (author) from Asia on September 07, 2017: Wu Zetian was a capable administrator, absolutely brilliant compared to many other Chinese emperors. A name often associated with despotism too. His Majesty, the Hongwu Emperor, founder of the Ming Dynasty. Last modified November 21, 2021, Your email address will not be published. Being the outstanding founder of the Eastern Han Dynasty, he gave hope to his nation by getting rid of feudal separatist force and singlehandedly unified the feudal country instead.He became famous for applying the 'forgive and forget . Reigned AD 1722 to AD 1735. Additionally, Ying Zhengs many military campaigns expanded the Chinese sphere of domination, including into the barbarian areas of Guangdong and Hunan. For this list, the primary criterion is thus the overall condition of the Chinese empire during and immediately after respective reigns. Below are the top 10 greatest emperors in Chinese history. Kangxi Kangxi Emperor Kangxi (1654-1722) was the longest-reigning emperor in the history of China. LOL. Further military successes then culminated with Taizhu reuniting China and establishing the Song Dynasty. The emperor was a scholar of logic and scientific reason. One Ming emperor didnt even attend court for decades, while Yongzheng was known to often work late into the night. Qin Shi Huang (259 BC-210 BC) A renowned name in Chinese history, also known as the First Emperor of China, Qin Shi Huang was the founder of the Qin dynasty. This dictionary would go on to become the official reference for all Chinese writing for the next two hundred years. largest and the strongest nation in the world, Top 10 Online English Shopping Websites From China. The longest-reigning Chinese emperor with an astonishing 61 years of rule, Kangxi was the fourth emperor of the Qing Dynasty and the first Manchu ruler to be born on Chinese soil. His reign saw extensive integration of different ethnic groups, 2. Gloria Siess from Wrightwood, California on October 28, 2016: Excellent hub! The Last Emperor (1987) Dramatization of China's last emperor, Puyi. However, she did also surfed on the accomplishments of Li Shimin. Movies about China & Chinese. There were no taxes to be collected, no food in the kingdom and this meant he could not protect his kingdom and his soldiers who were not being paid, defected and joined rebel groups. Forbidden City, Beijing 3. Below is a list of 10 of the most famous people in ancient China who were not emperors. He adopted policies to develop production and to restore the strength of the state, leading to an agricultural boom and reversing the stagnation in rural areas in the early Ming Dynasty. Having defeated all the six other warring states by 221 BC, he crowned himself the first emperor of China (Shi Huang). He championed Tibetan Buddhism and Confucianism, albeit with political control in mind. 8. The Qing dynasty (1644-1912) was the last imperial dynasty of China. He is considered the originator of Chinese civilization. Although there are no official polls to determine the prominence of these Chinese rulers, the presence of many names in historical texts gives us an idea of who among them played a key role in defining history and could be considered the greatest emperors of ancient China. Personal name, courtesy name, temple name, posthumous name, and sometimes just the era + emperor. A member of the Zhou dynasty, Empress Wu Zetian was the only female ruler in ancient China. In other words, the Qing royal family was not Chinese at all. Note that this criterion could itself be considered flawed in many ways. It was a very common phenomenon for a Chinese emperor to have as many wives as his heart desires. Emperor Gao Zu of the Western Han Dynasty, Liu Bang. He is regarded as one of the most important emperors in Chinese history, reunifying China in 589 after centuries of division since the fall of Western Jin Dynasty in 316. Famously known as the Yongle Emperor, Ming Chengzu was the third emperor of the Ming dynasty and the fourth son of the Ming dynastys founder Emperor Hongwu. Lord Xiao Gong of Qin, Ying Quliang. All Rights Reserved. Through this decline, the Chinese saying, Shengji Bishuai (), proves itself. Famous Emperors in Chinese Historyby Shangguang Ping. He is also known as Zhu Di in historical texts. He reunified most of China after following a period of political instability and fragmentation. The fifth emperor of the Qing Dynasty does not enjoy a good reputation in Chinese urban myths, no thanks to modern pulp fiction works such as Wuxia stories. He is regarded as one of the best monarchs that China has seen; and as a matter of fact, other monarchs works were judged against that of Emperor Taizong. I acknowledge this is very much my personal opinion, and that I am affected by how short the Sui dynasty is. According to legend, Chinese martial arts or Wushu, were invented over 4,000 years ago by the legendary Yellow Emperor. He invaded many Eurasian and prominent Asian regions during his rule and almost every invasion led to the deaths of thousands of civilians which is how he gained such a fearsome reputation. Tang Taizong (599 649) Tang Dynasty, Tang Taizong (private name: Li Shimin)is typically considered as one of the greatest emperors in Chinese history. He had appointed his eldest son Li Cheng Qian as his successor and crown prince at the time but the young man thought his father would change his mind and replace him with his younger brother Li Tai and tried a coup, which failed. 4. Two of them are so popular that we decided to dedicate separate pages for them and their achievements. For all emperors listed above, their true legacies were only apparently decades and centuries down the road. . Famous Emperors of China (Chinese Edition) A task he then performed well, at least during his younger years. He improved the welfare of his people, giving free medication, houses, free food to the elderly, lowered taxes and encouraged agriculture. For Qing Dynasty emperors, the last ones on this list, they tend to be remembered by their era titles. The Yellow Emperor, also known as Huangdi, supposedly ruled for an even 100 years, from 2697 to 2597 BCE. Preview Famous Emperors in Chinese Historyby Shangguang Ping Chongzhen means Honorable and auspicious. As Qin Shihuang, Ying Zheng laid the groundwork for China to emerge as the primary cultural and political powerhouse of East Asia. Famous Emperors in Chinese history Imperial Cultures of China Ser . Also known as the Yongle Emperor ( | Yongle Dadi), Ming Chengzu is the contentious one on this list of greatest Chinese emperors. This book chooses sixteen famous and important Emperors of Ancient China in different dynasties and narrates their legendary . Like his grandfather, he also commissioned a great literary project the Siku Quanshu () was an encyclopedia meant to rival the Yongle Encyclopaedia (see above). List of Historical Monuments in China 1. She a formidable woman and a shrewd strategist, who triumphed in a paternalistic society. This book gives a brief account of the life stories and military and political deeds of 16 well-known emperors in different dynasties, hoping to help the readers have a better understanding of the monarchic system in China's feudal society. 2. Reigned AD 626 to AD 649. He is not on this list of great Chinese Emperors. Problem:It's the wrong bookIt's the wrong editionOther Details (if other): Cancel Thanks for telling us about the problem. Genghis Khan might have had a ferocious reputation but he played a major role in bringing Eastern and Western cultures into contact. sorry but i think the private name for Song Taizu (6) is not correct..should be (zhao kuangyin). Answer (1 of 7): Among all those Chinese emperors, four of them are most famous: * Qin Shi Huang (, The First Emperor of Qin, Ying Zheng, Reign 220 BC - 210 BC as the emperor, 247 BC - 221 BC as the king of Qin): He became the king of the Qin, one of warring states, in 247 BC. Through a combination of strategies that included recruiting Chinese Confucian scholars, honoring and not debasing the histories of the previous dynasty, and championing Chinese arts, Kangxi absorbed the best of China and shrewdly wielded it to legitimize Manchurian rule. To put it in another way, Wudi never had to worry about groundwork or authority. Portraits in this article are from the collection, One Hundred Portraits of Chinese Emperors () by Lu Yan Guang. Beijing city became home to the Emperor and was officially declared the capital city in 1421. Guangwudi of Eastern Han. Ancient China has always been an intriguing topic, so here are the top 12 most popular Chinese figures of all time. Ascending the throne at the age of seven, the intrepid and diligent Kangxi soon wrestled power from his regents and suppressed a major revolt in Southern and Western China. In short, Taizongs accomplishments firmly laid the groundwork for Tang to become the most glorious dynasty in imperial Chinese history. Wu Zetian (private name: Wu Xu)was the only female emperor in the Chinese feudal dynasties spanning more than 4,000 years. He was very good at handling weapons and fighting so much so that he killed his own two brothers and led a revolt against his father. As a matter of fact, he urged his army to do farm work and assist the locals in farming so that they could get food! His interests include history, traveling, and mythology. The strength and power of the Tang dynasty was very closely related to Emperor Taizong of Tang, Li Shimin. Emperor Wen is thought to be the only king in the history of Chinese civilization to have only two concubines, unlike emperors in the Ming dynasty who were thought to have kept over 9,000. In his youth, Xuanzong survived the bloody power struggle following the demise of Female Emperor Wu Zetian, thereafter successfully restoring power to the Li Family and ridding the empire of the worst elements of Wu Zetians rule. During an expedition, his troops rallied and insisted that he take over the throne. The Overlord of Western Chu, Xiang Yu. After WWII, he was arrested and taken back to China and tried as a war criminal but was pardoned. His reign lasted from 960 AD to 976 AD. Famous Emperors in Chinese History. He married Zhangsun Sheng, the daughter of the Sui dynasty general, at the age of 14. These five emperors and kings ruled China under different dynasties during different times and made history in so many ways! From the Zhou dynasty until the Qin dynasty, rulers usually held the title "king" (Chinese: ; pinyin: wng).With the separation of China into different Warring States, this title had become so common that the unifier of China, the first Qin Emperor Qin Shihuang . Save my name and email in this browser for the next time I comment. He was believed to have had a calmer reign than his ancestors who were known for their ruthlessness. His accomplishments secured the peaceful reign of his son Yongzheng. Hardworking and astute, Xuanzong then grew Tang Dynasty China to its largest extent yet. Considering how absolute their powers were in most cases, many ancient rulers of China often descended into a very autocratic and obnoxious rule, inflicting unimaginable horrors upon millions and millions of people. Qin Shi Huang, also called Shihuangdi, Wade-Giles romanization Shih-huang-ti, personal name (xingming) Zhao Zheng or Ying Zheng, (born c. 259 bce, Qin state, northwestern Chinadied 210 bce, Hebei), emperor (reigned 221-210 bce) of the Qin dynasty (221-207 bce) and creator of the first unified Chinese empire (which collapsed, however, less than four years after his death). And kings ruled China for 276 years under 16 emperors about genghis Khan might have had thousands of to. Decided to dedicate separate pages for them and their achievements of leaders usually from the same or... Fond of punishing courtiers with castration, known as the prosperous era Kangxi... Then the Dynasty changed nation during his imperial reign romance with Consort Yang time in 221 BC to BC. For them and their achievements population were impoverished contributions to China in Chinese. 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