The Post-classical AsiaThe Post-classical Asia

China

• Post-classical China– New dynasties: Sui (580-618), Tang (618-

907), Song (960-1279)– Commerce!– Mongol conquest Yuan dynasty (1279-

1368)

China• China under the Sui

(580-618)– Foreign invasions

collapse of Han– Chaos! (220-589)

Sui rule – Sui accomplishments

• Reunification• Expansion

– High taxes, failed military expeditions fall of Sui

China• China under the Tang

(618-907)– Expansion

• Conquered Turkish lands• Protectorates of Tibet,

Vietnam, Korea– Government

• Authority of central government reestablished

• Elaboration of bureaucracy• Landlords’ taxing power

abolished direct payments to state

– Buddhism attacked• Deemed subversive• Shrines and monasteries

destroyed

China

• China under the Song (960-1278)– Came to power after

civil war– Suffered attacks by

Central Asian nomads– Expansion of cities– Population: 100

million+!– Presided over vibrant

economy!

China

• China and Commerce– Experienced commercial revolution (700-1200)

• Shops and marketplaces appeared in cities• Merchants• Most highly developed manufacturing sector in the world

– Paper money (811)– Spheres of influence

• Silk Road• Ships southeast Asia, Indian Ocean

– Chief exports: silk and porcelain

China

Emperor Huizong, Court Ladies Preparing Newly Woven Silk (12th cent.)

China

Vase from Song Dynasty,Fort Jesus Museum, Mombasa

China• Chinese Ingenuity

– Science• Stress on “practical”

observation knowledge of actual working of physical universe

• Developments– Pharmaceutical use of

plants and minerals– Insect control– Encyclopedias

– Inventions• Wheelbarrow• Gunpowder• Printing• Abacus

China

China

• Questions?

The Mongols

• Mongol Tribes– Nomadic, pastoralist – North of China,

pressing on its frontiers

– Organized into family clans

– Formidable warriors

The Mongols

• Chinggis Khan (ca. 1165-1227)– General– Unified tribes

“universal ruler”– Formed highly

disciplined, sophisticated army world conquest!

The Mongols

The Mongols

The Mongols• The Mongol War

Machine– The Army

• Superb equestrians and archers

• Cavalry: 50-70,000 horsemen

• Skilled at ambushes– Not able to expand

further west• Dynastic crisis at home• Insufficient pasturage

for horses

The Mongols

• Ruling the Mongol Empire– Divided into four regions– Demanded tribute and troops from subjects,

recognition of overlordship– Religious toleration– Eager to trade with Europeans

The Mongols• Rule of Kubilai Khan

(r. 1260-1294)– Grandson of Chinggis – Greatest of the khans– Conquered Song China

(1279)– Government

• Based in China• Preserved Chinese

bureaucracy manned by foreigners

– Court life• Splendid!• Open to foreigners

The Mongols

• Disintegration and Legacy– Protests, banditry, questions of succession

short-lived empire– Had ruled over/influenced most of Eurasia

(approx. 6,000 miles!)– Rule over vast territory interchange of

knowledge and products

The Mongols

• Questions?

Japan• Japan

– Island network– Mountainous– Relationship with China

• In its orbit, but never conquered by it

• Borrowed selectively from it

– Remained distinct• Political traditions• More militaristic • Shinto

Japan

Samurai on horseback

• Japanese Feudalism (by 800)– Strong “regional” political

units– The Hierarchy

• Daimyo: the great lords• Samurai

– Professional soldiers– Maintained code of

honor and bravery (bushido)

• Peasants– The emperor

• Not effective ruler• Religious figure• Capital: Kyoto

Japan

Entrance gate, Kyoto Imperial Palace

Japan

Hall of State Ceremonies, Kyoto Imperial Palace

Japan• The Shogunate

– The SHOGUN• Japan’s dominant military figure• Official role: chief officer to emperor• Reality: effective ruler of country, demanded fidelity of daimyo

• Provided greater sense of centralized government– Kamakura Shogunate (1192-1333)

• Period of great peace• Successfully resisted 2 Mongol invasions• Collapse renewed internal warfare

Japan

• Shinto– Japan’s native religion– “Way of the gods”– Worshiped spirits of

nature (kami) in local shrines

– No sacred book, developed theology Torii gate

Japan• Buddhism in Japan

– Pure Land• Stressed grace of Amida• Call on him conveys

souls to his Pure Land– Zen

• Study of Buddhism with a master

• How to reach enlightenment?

– Constant meditation– Unanswerable

questions, riddles shock worldly mind

Amida

Japan

Japan

• Questions?

Post-classical AsiaPost-classical AsiaDifferences and similarities with Differences and similarities with

Islamic world and West?Islamic world and West?Differences and similarities in Differences and similarities in

relation to each other?relation to each other?