Ming Palace, Nanjing
Encyclopedia
Ming Palace in Nanjing
, present day Jiangsu
province, China
was the 14th century imperial palace of the Hongwu Emperor
, the first emperor of the Ming Dynasty
.
when Hongwu's son, the Yongle Emperor
, relocated the imperial capital to Beijing. However, Nanjing retained the status of the "reserve" capital throughout the almost three centuries of the Ming era, and the palace was maintained, at least to some extent.
After the fall of Beijng to Li Zicheng's rebels (and, soon thereafter, to the Manchu Qing Empire) in 1644, the Nanjing Ming Palace briefly became the seat of the Hongguang Emperor
who tried to establish the so-called Southern Ming Dynasty
. However, the following year (1645) the Qing armies reached Nanjing. The Hongguang Emperor fled, and the Nanjing Ming Palace was destroyed by the Manchus. Today only some foundations, walls, carved stones and columns remain of the once majestic palace.
Nanjing
' is the capital of Jiangsu province in China and has a prominent place in Chinese history and culture, having been the capital of China on several occasions...
, present day Jiangsu
Jiangsu
' is a province of the People's Republic of China, located along the east coast of the country. The name comes from jiang, short for the city of Jiangning , and su, for the city of Suzhou. The abbreviation for this province is "苏" , the second character of its name...
province, China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
was the 14th century imperial palace of the Hongwu Emperor
Hongwu Emperor
The Hongwu Emperor , known variably by his given name Zhu Yuanzhang and by his temple name Taizu of Ming , was the founder and first emperor of the Ming Dynasty of China...
, the first emperor of the Ming Dynasty
Ming Dynasty
The Ming Dynasty, also Empire of the Great Ming, was the ruling dynasty of China from 1368 to 1644, following the collapse of the Mongol-led Yuan Dynasty. The Ming, "one of the greatest eras of orderly government and social stability in human history", was the last dynasty in China ruled by ethnic...
.
History
The palace lost its position as the emperor's main residence Beijing's Forbidden CityForbidden City
The Forbidden City was the Chinese imperial palace from the Ming Dynasty to the end of the Qing Dynasty. It is located in the middle of Beijing, China, and now houses the Palace Museum...
when Hongwu's son, the Yongle Emperor
Yongle Emperor
The Yongle Emperor , born Zhu Di , was the third emperor of the Ming Dynasty of China from 1402 to 1424. His Chinese era name Yongle means "Perpetual Happiness".He was the Prince of Yan , possessing a heavy military base in Beiping...
, relocated the imperial capital to Beijing. However, Nanjing retained the status of the "reserve" capital throughout the almost three centuries of the Ming era, and the palace was maintained, at least to some extent.
After the fall of Beijng to Li Zicheng's rebels (and, soon thereafter, to the Manchu Qing Empire) in 1644, the Nanjing Ming Palace briefly became the seat of the Hongguang Emperor
Zhu Yousong, Prince of Fu
The Hongguang Emperor , was the first emperor of the Southern Ming Dynasty. He reigned briefly in Southern China from 1644-1645. His era name, Hongguang, means "Great light".-Biography:...
who tried to establish the so-called Southern Ming Dynasty
Southern Ming Dynasty
The Southern Ming Dynasty was the Ming loyalist regime that continued in Southern China from 1644 to 1662 following the capture of Beijing by rebel armies and the death of the last Ming emperor in 1644....
. However, the following year (1645) the Qing armies reached Nanjing. The Hongguang Emperor fled, and the Nanjing Ming Palace was destroyed by the Manchus. Today only some foundations, walls, carved stones and columns remain of the once majestic palace.