Tang dynasty

The Tang dynasty was an important time in Chinese history, lasting from 618 to 907. It is often called a golden age because of its rich culture, strong rule, and wide influence. The Tang rulers expanded their lands far beyond earlier dynasties, controlling much of Inner Asia and parts of Central Asia. Their capital, Chang'an (today’s Xi'an), was one of the largest and most lively cities in the world.

During the Tang dynasty, many great artists and thinkers lived and worked. Famous poets like Li Bai and Du Fu wrote beautiful poems that are still loved today. Painters, musicians, and scholars all made important contributions. The Tang also saw the spread of Buddhism, although later some emperors tried to limit its influence.

The Tang dynasty had a strong system for choosing government leaders through fair tests and recommendations. However, problems like big rebellions and powerful local leaders weakened the government toward the end, and the dynasty eventually ended in 907. Even after it fell, the Tang’s culture and ideas continued to shape nearby countries like Japan and Korea.

History

The Tang dynasty was a powerful period in ancient China, lasting from 618 to 907. It began when the Li family took control after the Sui dynasty. The Tang is remembered as a time of great culture, wealth, and openness to other cultures.

Portrait of Emperor Gaozu of Tang (566–635) dating to the Ming dynasty (1368–1644)

The dynasty started under Emperor Gaozu, who rose up against the Sui rulers. His son, Emperor Taizong, became a strong leader and expanded the empire through military campaigns. The Tang also saw the brief rule of Wu Zetian, China’s only female emperor, who took power in 690 and ruled until 705.

Later, under Emperor Xuanzong, the Tang reached its height with peace, prosperity, and a flourishing court life. However, the huge An Lushan rebellion from 755 to 763 weakened the dynasty greatly. After this, local military leaders gained more power, and the central government struggled to control the empire.

In its final years, the Tang faced many problems, including floods, famines, and rebellions. The rebellion led by Huang Chao in the late 800s caused great damage. Eventually, a general named Zhu Wen took control in 907, ending the Tang dynasty and starting the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period.

Administration and politics

Taizong worked to fix problems in the government that had troubled earlier dynasties. He created a new set of laws that later governments copied. These laws set out different punishments for different crimes, depending on a person's rank.

The Tang government had three main departments and six ministries to handle tasks like managing people, money, ceremonies, the army, courts, and building projects.

Students could take special tests to join the government. These tests checked their knowledge of old writings and their ability to write essays and poems. While rich families often did better, anyone could try to take these tests.

Religion was important in Tang politics. Emperors sometimes asked monks for help and gave gifts to temples. They also made rules about how temples could collect money.

The Tang government tried to count everyone in the country to collect taxes and choose soldiers. They recorded numbers of families and people, though some people might have been missed. Most people lived in the countryside, and over time, more people moved to southern China.

Military and foreign policy

Main articles: Military history of the Tang dynasty, Naval history of China, and Jimi system

Further information: Imperial Guards (Tang dynasty)

Protectorates and tributaries

The Tang dynasty was a powerful time for China, reaching far beyond its borders. During the 7th and early 8th centuries, the Tang controlled areas from north Vietnam to parts of Central Asia, including regions near Kashmir. Many kingdoms, such as Kashmir, Nepal, Khotan, Kucha, Kashgar, Silla, Champa, and others in the Amu Darya and Syr Darya valleys, sent gifts and paid respect to the Tang emperors.

After defeating a rebellion, the Tang set up special leaders called Protectorate Generals who had much freedom to deal with problems without always asking for help from the central government. Later, these leaders became very powerful, which helped lead to the decline of the Tang dynasty.

Soldiers and conscription

By 737, Emperor Xuanzong changed the way soldiers were chosen. Instead of replacing soldiers every three years, he kept experienced soldiers longer, which saved money and made the army stronger. By the late 7th century, many soldiers stopped leaving the army and the homes they were given. The government offered land and freedom from taxes to peasants who joined the army, which helped increase the number of soldiers. By 742, the Tang army had about 500,000 soldiers.

Eastern regions

In East Asia, the Tang faced challenges. Emperor Taizong tried to attack the Korean kingdom of Goguryeo in 644 but failed. However, the Tang joined with Silla and fought against Baekje and their Japanese allies in the Battle of Baekgang in 663, which was a big victory. The Tang also fought Goguryeo again and destroyed it by 668 with help from Silla.

Although once enemies, the Tang allowed some former Goguryeo leaders to serve in their government. The Tang controlled northern Korea from 668 to 676, but Silla later pushed them out. The Tang also had friendly relations with Japan, and many Japanese leaders visited China. Japanese emperors copied some Chinese ways, like building palaces and organizing the army. Buddhist monks from China also helped spread Buddhism in Japan.

Western and Northern regions

Main articles: Protectorate General to Pacify the West, Protectorate General to Pacify the North, Inner Asia during the Tang dynasty, and Tibet and the Tang and Song dynasties

The Tang dynasty worked hard to keep peace with groups of nomadic people to the north and west. They built forts, traded with them, and sometimes married princesses to their leaders to make alliances. The Tang fought against groups like the Turks and Khitans, winning some battles and taking back land.

The Tang also had conflicts with the Tibetan Empire over areas in Central Asia. There were battles and changes in control, and a treaty was signed in 821 to set borders between the two empires.

During a time when Arab forces were taking over parts of Persia, some Persian leaders went to live in Tang China. There were also interactions between the Tang and Arab empires, including battles. One famous battle in 751 near Tashkent ended Tang influence in that area, but later there were still friendships and alliances between the Tang and other groups.

The Tang dynasty had many interactions with faraway places. Embassies from places like the Byzantine Empire visited the Tang court, showing the wide reach of Tang influence.

Economy

The Tang dynasty was a time when China grew rich through trade. People traded goods along the Silk Road and by sea. They shared new ideas, technologies, and cultures with faraway lands like Europe, the Middle East, and India. New styles of clothing, music, and art became popular. The Tang dynasty also improved roads and canals to help move goods across the country.

The Silk Road connected China to Europe and the West. It opened again under the Tang dynasty and helped China trade with many places. Chinese goods like silk and porcelain were highly valued. Many foreign visitors came to China, but there were also dangers like bandits along the trade routes.

Chinese sailors also traveled far by sea. They reached places like the Persian Gulf, Red Sea, and even East Africa. Foreign merchants from many countries lived in Chinese cities and traded goods. Chinese ships carried many valuable items, showing how important trade was during this time.

Culture and society

The Tang dynasty was a time of great culture and society changes in China. People enjoyed many leisure activities, and Chinese literature grew a lot. New ways of printing made books more available to everyone.

Chang'an was the capital city and one of the largest cities in the world at the time. It had a grid-like layout with many streets and wards. The city was home to people from many different places, bringing their own traditions and religions. Chang'an was not the main economic center; that was Yangzhou, a busy city along the Grand Canal known for its trade and industry.

The Tang dynasty is famous for its poetry and literature. Many poets wrote thousands of poems, and poetry was a popular skill. Famous poets like Li Bai and Du Fu are still remembered today. Stories and tales were also popular, with one famous story being Yingying's Biography.

People during the Tang dynasty enjoyed many sports and games, like archery, hunting, polo, and soccer. Holidays were celebrated with big feasts and fun activities. Women had more freedom than in earlier times, and many were involved in music, poetry, and even sports like polo. Tea became very popular, and new foods like rice and wheat cakes became common. The Tang dynasty was a rich and lively time for China.

Science and technology

Main article: Science and technology of the Tang dynasty

Further information: History of science and technology in China, List of Chinese inventions, and List of Chinese discoveries

Technology during the Tang period built on past ideas. One big invention was the world’s first clockwork mechanism, made by Yi Xing in 725. This device worked with a water clock and waterwheel to move a model of the sky. It even rang a bell every hour and a drum every 15 minutes.

The Tang period also had many clever machines. There was a mechanical wine server shaped like a mountain, with dragon heads that poured drinks. There were also wooden statues that moved when coins were placed on them.

Woodblock printing became very common, making books more available. One of the oldest printed books is from this time. This helped more people learn to read.

The Tang dynasty also made advances in making maps. Some maps were very large, showing China and nearby lands. Doctors made important discoveries about health and medicines, learning how to treat different sicknesses.

Chinese scientists created many useful mixtures for different purposes, like protecting clothes and making things fireproof. They also used natural gas stored in bamboo tubes, which were like early gas cylinders. Buildings in the palace had fans to keep the air cool.