Mongolian Dominion in China
The Mongols subdued
North China, Korea and the Muslim Empires of Central Asia by the end
of the thirteenth century. The Mongols broke into Europe twice. The
grandson of Genghis Khan, Kublai Khan started ruling the Southern
Song from 1215 1294 AD with the help of the resources of his vast
kingdom. Also known as the supreme leader of all tribes of Mongol,
Kublai Khan set up the first alien dynasty called the Yuan from
1279-1368 AD to rule the entire China before the Song Dynasty was
ebbed. The Mongols had always wanted to govern China with
traditional institutions through Chinese bureaucrats, but could not
be successful. These bureaucrats (Hans) were discriminated against
politically and socially. Mongols controlled all key central and
regional positions, and employed non-Chinese from various parts of
the Mongolians, including Central Asia, Middle East and in Europe,
where no position for Mongols could be found. The non-Chinese
regions of the empire were mainly employed with Chinese people.
In the Yuan dynasty,
a rich cultural diversity was developed similar to other period of
the ancient dynasties, the major ones being the development of
fictions, dramas and novels, and constant use of written language.
The Mongols had good contacts in West Asia and Europe helped them
get engaged into cultural exchange efficiently. The Chinese arts
were also enhanced through western musical instruments. This period
also introduced the conversion of increasing Chinese people in the
north-west and south-west of China to Islam by Central Asian
Muslims. Though Lamaism (or Buddhism in Tibet) sustained, but
Nestorianism, Roman Catholicism and Taoism tolerated harassment by
Mongol.
Though during the era
of disunity, the Confucian governmental practices and examinations
on Classics were abandoned in North China, the same got restored by
Mongols to maintain order over the Hans. Much technological
advancement were noticed during this period, such as travel
literature, geography, cartography, scientific education, printing
techniques, porcelain manufacturing, playing cards and medical
literature, which were also introduced in Europe. Thin glass and
cloisonn went popular in China. The popular traveller of that
period was Venetian Marco Polo, whose trip to Cambaluc (now Beijing)
and the life there attracted Europeans largely. Extensive public
works were also undertaken. Road and water tunnels were improved.
Granaries were built to protect against famines. Beijing was rebuilt
and extended with artificial lakes, hills, parks and mountains. A
major food crop called Sorghum was also introduced with other
foreign food products as a result of Mongols contacts with the
West.
Copyright 2008, BB Automacao Inc., New York, USA.
All rights reserved. Reproduction in any format is expressly prohibited unless
our written authorization is obtained upfront.
