An Overview Of The Han Dynasty Of Ancient China
Introduction
The Han Dynasty was started from 189 AD to 220 AD it was the second Imperial dynasty of China and followed the Qin Dynasty and founded by rebel peasant leader “Liu Bang”. The famous historian records were the master piece of Sima Qian written from 109 BC to 91 BC also known in English by it's name Shiji. The four famous Emperors during this dynasty were:
- Liu Bang (256/247-195 BC)
- Liu Che (156-87 BC)
- Wang Mang (45 BC-23 AD)
- Liu Xiu (5 BC-57 AD)
The Han Dynasty was composed of two ages Western Age and Eastern Age.
Western Han Dynasty
Western Han dynasty lasted from 206 BC to 24 AD. The rebel peasant emperor Liu Bang defeated Xiang Yu of Win Dynasty in the battle of Gaixa. The new emperor, new called emperor Gaozu. First during starting time period they worshiped their ancestors, then Taoism was followed by them. During this era paintings, calligraphy began to evolve in their culture. After his death his son Liu Ying takes up the charge. He followed the rules of his father and act according to his principles. After his death Wang Mang became the next emperor and Western Han Dynasty ruled over 200 years. He was defeated by Liu Xiu and from then Western Han dynasty ended.
Eastern Han Dynasty
Liu Xiu, established Eastern Han Dynasty in China and changed all the rules of Wang Mang and led this Dynasty towards prosperity. They also follow Taoism , later Confucianism not being a religion but become one of the most important ideological beliefs during this era. Now literature spread and became an important part of their culture. The cultural, economical, social and political improvement and advancement also grew more during this period.
Social Structure
The society of Han Dynasty can generally be categorized into three social classes which were as follows;
- Aristocrats
- Bureaucrats
- The bottom tier.
Aristocrats
They were at the top of the class in Han Dynasty. They were emperors and no other people except their personal advisors were allowed to address them. The most powerful and authorized relative of the emperor was the wife or princess of the previous emperor. After the kings they have the right, power to issue edicts and pardons, to appoint new emperor after the death of one. Many noble personnel’s were also included in this social class and also some scholars like (Dong Zhongshu 179 BC- 104 BC), (Kongo Anguo 156 BC- 74 BC), Lu Ji (188 AD- 219AD), Wang Su (195 AD-256 AD), etc. Were also included in this social class.
Bureaucrats
They were farmers, peasants and workers. Their status and respect can be considered as they were above the common laborers but well below the Aristocrats. But they were an important part of the empire as the whole finance, wealth system and economy were depended on the products they manufactured .
Bottom Tier
They were mostly merchants and were put along with the commoners and servants. The white shirt was especially manufactured for them. They kept wearing the shirts whole day and night to indicate other that they belong to the third tier or third social class of the state. Slaves makes up about 1% of the whole dynasty’s population.
Culture
During the early years of western Han Dynasty art, paintings, calligraphy began to developed. Ceramics were also developed during this era, great works from pottery were also done. But after the time passes in Eastern Han Dynasty, literature also started to spread among the empire and became an essential part of the their culture. At that time the whole world admit about the Roman Empire's Culture as the top and richest culture in the world at that time Han Dynasty’s culture was the only culture to compete with the Romans culture. One of the most important historian record during this dynasty were the Records of “Sima Qian” which were written from 109 BC to 91 BC. In English it is known as “shiji”. In Sima Qian all the information related to Chinese civilization and history was recorded and saved from Qin Dynasty to that present time. It contain total of 130 volumes. Another ten volumes called the “ Biao” talked about the historic events that took place during different era's.
Clothing
Black color clothes were preferred dress in the court and also while performing their sacrificial-ceremonies of their warriors/soldiers. Red color clothes was considered as the most famous and respectable color during this era as it symbolizes the “fire virtue” of the Han Dynasty. There were two main categories for clothing one named as Shenyi (the long coat) and the other name was Yijin (front of the jacket/gown). Women wore long pants and long jackets. A special type of belt was tied around their waists which was long, elongated and intricate to which represents the social status of a woman.
Religion
Taoism is considered to be the main religion of the Han Dynasty. Which was categorized by the belief for opposites, such as “there would be no life without hate”. However some historians also suggested that Confucianism as not being a religion but became one of the most important ideological beliefs during this dynasty's period.
Form of Government
The government was formed by the mixture of feudal structures and central bureaucracy. The emperor/king was the head of the state responsible for laws, principles, rules and regulations, policies and punishments. The emperor had three Councilors of the empire, the Chancellor over the Masses, the Imperial Councilor and the Grand Commandant. Their main task was to draft the budget of the government, maintain discipline and command the military. The local government was comprised of the commander’s, the county and the district respectively every local governed was responsible for investigating and interrogating the officials when it's required.
Economy
Their main source of economic and money exchange was agriculture and the products manufactured through cultivation by the farmers and peasants of Bureaucrats. And because if silk trade, the opening of road which help them to transport their goods to Subcontinent (India) and to Roman Empire.
Achievements and Inventions
Many great inventions happened during this dynasty's time period. The major inventions includes ; the invention of the paper. Which was not intentionally but accidently prepared by the eunuch Cai-Lun. The inventions of cast iron tools, furnances which are able to convert iron ore into pig iron. This whole process was first operationed in the mills during Han dynasty’s period. New agricultural tools for farming and cultivation were invented which increased their agricultural tax revenue of the state. Their dynasty’s people are also attributed for inventing loon, set the timbre for wearing silk.
Military
Armed soldiers during the beginning of this era were generally enrolled through drafting by the common people of the empire for the services of the military. This happened during Western Han Dynasty. The minimum age to enrolled in the military was reduced in the Eastern Han Dynasty to 20. After reaching 23 the soldiers also had to clear another test to reach the level of the commander which was also an important part of military training. Once a soldier clears all the requirements of the test he can be assigned in one of the three ranks of the King’s court. Their military forcers and warriors were very during that time. Their main weapon in the battles were the swords manufactured by using some special type of materials and pigments through which their swords became more stronger than the others. Due to their strong army they were able to defeat their enemies and rapidly conquered the larger parts of Asia.
Conclusion
Causes/Reasons of Han Dynasty’s Decline
The main reason of their downfall was the battles and fights between many of their amalgamated forces and coteries for gaining the power and ruler ship. Another reason for their downfall was the internal struggle amongst all the families in their social classes. “Cao Cao” one of the Warlords tried and made his best effort to reunite the empire once more. His struggle became successful but for a short period of time. During this short period he and last ruler of Han Dynasty “Emperor Xian” both began to rule the state but after some times all their struggles and efforts demolished and perished at the battle of Red Cliffs.
Battle of Red-Cliffs
The battle of red-cliffs was fought at Yangtze, China in the winter of 208/209 AD. The battle was fought between the northern forces of the Warlords Cao Cao and the amalgamated (rebellion) forces of Warlords. Although they were small in strength and had less equipment and weapons for battle but still they were able to defeat the Han Dynasty’s Last Ruler Emperor Xian and Cao Cao's forces. Finally, the Han dynasty ended in 220 AD.
Analysis
After analyzing the whole dynasty one thing is for sure and even suggested by many historians that The Han Dynasty was the Golden Age of Ancient China. And no other dynasty had provided such benefits, advancements and scientific methodologies more than Han Dynasty. But in Han Dynasty also by comparing Western Han and Eastern Dynasties the more advancement approximately in every aspect whether it's political, economical, social and cultural Eastern Han Dynasty leads over Western Han Dynasty. Some historians believed that it is mainly because of the Western Han Dynasty's one Emperor “Wang Mang” as He spent most of the time getting enter tainted by the women and girls, addicted of alcohol and some foreign agreements and policies which he mostly broke down.
