Main Summary
Qin is also spelled as ‘Kin’ or ‘Chin’ dynasty that established the first great Chinese empire which lasted from 221-206 BCE but the name China is derived established the approximate boundaries and basic administration system were to follow for the next two millennia. The dynasty was originated by the state of Qin one of the feudal states into which China was divided between 771 and 221 BCE. So, between the middle of the third and the end of the second century BCE, the rulers of the king began to centralize the power creating rigid systems and laws that were applicable throughout the country. They have divided the state into a series of commanders and rulers by official appointment by the central government. Under those changes, Qin slowly began to conquer its surrounding state emerging into a major power of China.
Finally, in 246 BCE the boy king Ying Zheng came to the throne. He together with his minister Li Siu completed the Qin conquest and in 221 BCE created the Qin empire. Ying Zheng proclaimed himself with the name of Shi Huangdi, the first emperor of Qin. To rule the vast territory the Qin instituted a rigid authoritarian government. They standardized the writing system, standardized the measurement of length, weight, and width of the highway, abolished all feudal privileges, oversaw large-scale construction. To halt subversive thought, he ordered to burn all the books, except those related to agriculture and medical subject. Those harsh methods combined with the huge tax needed to pay for the construction projects, the war took its toll and rebellion erupted after the death of Shi Huangdi in 210 BCE.
![Qin Dynasty The Introduction [History and Culture] Summary & Exercise](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhymKqzR4LhzOQ5lNtrMt9FvLYYvgEe8YrMPNBvoUDhVlFh8pVenoP6Y1KcUbBVkIBGv-gUSmQENAmDt3aSum4xViwsxL9R7Lkmn7lzvsbOoM0h4ittlEVLVKeS65tybDQiAEYyivkUyJvKlCP3XGCGTdpfR-0vuQ-G6qrMRTLTieCwvHuu5wv_Rcwd2Q=s16000-rw "Qin Dynasty The Introduction [History and Culture] Summary & Exercise")
The Qin Dynasty established the first empire in China, starting with efforts in 230 B.C., during which the Qin leaders engulfed six Zhou Dynasty states. The empire existed only briefly from 221 to 206 B.C., but the Qin Dynasty had a lasting cultural impact on the dynasties that followed.
Capital of Qin Dynasty
The Qin region was located in modern-day Shaanxi province, north of the Zhou Dynasty territory - Qin served as a barrier between it and the less civilized states above it. The capital of the Qin Dynasty was Xianyang, which was extensively enlarged after Qin dominance was established.
Qin itself had been considered a backwards, barbarian state by the ruling Zhou Dynasty. This distinction had to do with its slow pace in embracing Chinese culture, for instance, lagging behind the Zhou in doing away with human sacrifice.
The ruling class of Qin nonetheless believed themselves to be legitimate heirs to the Zhou states, and through the centuries they strengthened their diplomatic and political standing through a variety of means, including marriage.
Shang Yang
It was during the rule of Duke Xiao fromwas61 to 338 B.C. that the groundwork was laid for conquest, primarily through the work of Shang Yang, an administrator from the state of Wey who was appointed Chancellor. Shang Yang was a vigorous reformer, systematically reworking the social order of Qin society, eventually creating a massive, complicated bureaucratic state and advocating for the unification of Chinese states.
Among Shang Yang’s innovations was a successful system to expand the army beyond the nobility, giving land as a reward to peasants who enlisted. This helped create a massive infantry that was less expensive to maintain than the traditional chariot forces.
Following Duke Xiao’s death, Shang Yang was charged with treason by the old aristocrats in the state. He attempted to fight and create his territory but was defeated and executed in 338 B.C. with five chariots pulling him apart for spectators in a market. But Shang Yang’s ideas had already laid the foundation for the Qin Empire.
Ying Zheng
The state of Qin began to expand into the regions surrounding it. When the states of Shu and Ba went to war in 316 B.C., both begged for Qin’s help.
Qin responded by conquering each of them and, over the next 40 years, relocating thousands of families there, and continuing their expansionist efforts into other regions.
Ying Zheng is considered the first emperor of China. The son of King Zhuangxiang of Qin and a concubine, Ying Zheng took the throne at the age of 13, following his father’s death in 247 B.C. after three years on the throne.
Qin Shi Huang
As the ruler of Qin, Ying Zheng took the name Qin Shi Huang Di (“first emperor of Qin”), which brings together the words for “Mythical Ruler” and “God.”
Qin Shi Huang began a militarily-driven expansionist policy. In 229 B.C., the Qin seized Zhao territory and continued until they seized all five Zhou states to create a unified Chinese empire in 221 B.C.
Advised by the sorcerer Lu Sheng, Qin Shi Huang travelled in secrecy through a system of tunnels and lived in secret locations to facilitate communing with immortals. Citizens were discouraged from using the emperor’s name in documents, and anyone who revealed his location would face execution.
Qin Dynasty Unification
Qin Shi Huang worked quickly to unify his conquered people across a vast territory that was home to several different cultures and languages.
One of the most important outcomes of the Qin conquest was the standardization of non-alphabetic written scripts across all of China, replacing the previous regional scripts. This script was simplified to allow faster writing, useful for record-keeping.
The new script enabled parts of the empire that did not speak the same language to communicate together and led to the founding of an imperial academy to oversee all texts. As part of the university effort, older philosophical texts were confiscated and restricted (though not destroyed, as accounts during the would later claim).
The Qin also standardized weights and measures, casting bronze models for measurements and sending them to local governments, who would then impose them on merchants to simplify trade and commerce across the empire. In conjunction with this, bronze coins were created to standardize money across the regions.
Three Major Dynasties of China
1. ZHOU DYNASTY
2. QIN DYNASTY
3. HAN DYNASTY
BCE = Before the Common Era (CE) - Gregorian (gri’go-ree-un) Calendar
Qin = Ch’in
Zhou = Chou
Feudalism: a socio-political system that existed in Europe during the Middle Ages in which people worked and fought for the nobles who gave them protection and the use of land in return
Legalism: an ancient Chinese philosophical belief that human beings are more inclined to do the wrong than the right because they are motivated entirely by self-interest. It was developed by the philosopher Han Feizi (c. 280-233 BCE).
Confucianism: the system of ethics, education, and statesmanship taught by the Chinese philosopher Confucius (551–479 BCE) and his disciples, stressing love for humanity, ancestor worship, reverence for the parents, and harmony in thought and conduct
Summary of The Text
The Qin Dynasty, pronounced like chin, emerged in 221 BCE. Qin Shihuang, the king of the Qin State at the time, conquered many feudal territories. Qin Shihuang was only 38 years old when he came into power. He created the title "Emperor" for himself, and thus is known as the first emperor of China.
While his dynasty only lasted 15 years, the shortest dynastic rule in Chinese history, the impact of the Qin Emperor on China cannot be understated.
Although highly controversial, Qin Dynasty policies were very influential in uniting China and maintaining power. Qin dynasty was the first imperial dynasty of China and its reign lasted from 221 to 206 BC.
Lasting only 15 years, it was the shortest dynasty in Chinese history.
Though it ruled for only a short duration, the Qin dynasty made several important contributions in the development of China.
The most well-known accomplishment of the dynasty was the unification of China for the first time in its history in 221 BC.
The first Qin emperor, Qin Shi Huang, introduced many reforms including the first meritocratic administration system in China. Also, there was the standardisation of the writing system, the code of law, the units of measurement and the currency.
Qin dynasty is renowned for its feats of engineering which include the Great Wall, the famous Terracotta Army, Dujiangyan Irrigation System and the Lingqu Canal.
Qin Dynasty Unified China For The First Time In History
The period in Chinese history before the reign of the Qin dynasty is referred to as the Warring States period (475 BC – 221 BC). It was dominated by the Seven Warring States, namely, Han, Zhao, Yan, Wei, Chu, Qi and Qin.
It took Zheng less than 10 years to unify China. He became the first emperor of a unified China and took the title of “Qin Shi Huang” or the “First Emperor of Qin”.
King Zheng of Qin started his campaign to conquer the remaining six states in 230 BC. Han was conquered in the same year, Zhao fell in 228 BC, Yan in 226 BC, Wei in 225 BC, the powerful Chu in 223 BC and Qi in 221 BC. Thus is 221 BC, for the first time in history, China became a unified centralised state.
During the Zhou dynasty, China was never a unified kingdom. The Zhou government bore a strong resemblance to some of the forms of feudalism in Medieval Europe, this is why the Zhou age is sometimes referred to as a feudal age.
It Had Hugely Influential Figures Like Legalism Shang Yang And Reformer Li Si:
Shang Yang was a leading Chinese statesman of the state of Qin during the Warring States period. He reformed and promoted the political philosophy Legalism, which among other things, encouraged practical and ruthless warfare.
Legalism aided Qin dynasty in their unification of China. During its reign, the Qin governed with the single philosophy of Legalism and other philosophies, including Confucianism, were suppressed.
Though Legalism is criticised by some scholars for its flaws, it still remains influential in administration, policy and legal practice in China.
Li Si served as Chancellor (or Prime Minister) of the Qin dynasty from 246 BC to 208 BC. He is considered one of the most influential figures in Chinese history.
Li Si played a vital role in the cultural unification of China. Among other things, he standardised the code of law; governmental ordinances; the units of measurement; and the currency to the Ban Liang coin. He also relaxed taxes and strict punishments inherited from the Qin administration in their Warring States period.
The Writing System Of China Was Standardized:
Before the Qin achieved the unification of China, local styles of characters evolved independently of one another for centuries, producing what is called the “Scripts of the Six States”. This diversity was undesirable in a unified government as it hindered communication, trade, taxation and transportation.
In 220 BC, Li Si, prime minister under Qin Shi Huang, systematized the written Chinese language by promoting as the imperial standard the Small Seal Script, which had already been in use in the state of Qin.
The Small Seal Script was itself standardized through the removal of variant forms within it. This standardized Chinese writing system; made it uniform across the whole country, and had a unification effect on Chinese culture for thousands of years.
The Precursor To The Great Wall Of China Was Built During The Qin Era:
Before unification, the various states had built walls to defend their own borders. Qin Shi Huang ordered the destruction of these fortifications that divided his empire.
However, to protect his northern border, Huang ordered the construction of an enormous defensive wall connecting the fortifications along the empire’s northern frontier.
The wall was built primarily to guard against the Xiongnu tribes in the north and north-west, against which the Qin were involved in constant battle. Although little of this wall remains today, it was the predecessor to the Great Wall of China. It is estimated that hundreds of thousands people died during the construction of this Qin wall.
The End of the Qin Empire
In the year 210 BCE emperor Shi Huangdi died on a journey through the realm. The people were told that these trips were designed for the inspection of the empire but later evidence suggests that the emperor was looking for an elixir of immortality. In his later years, Shi Huangdi became obsessed with death and the hope of eternal life. In constant fear of assassination, it is said, he never slept in the same room of his palace two nights consecutively and he ordered the construction of his elaborate tomb (including his Terracotta Army of 8,000 warriors) early on in his reign. The cause of his death is still unknown.
Li Siu (c. 280–208 BCE), the then prime minister of the recently deceased emperor, tried to hide the fact that Shi Huangdi was deceased in any possible way. He brought the emperor's body back to the capital along with carts of dead fish to mask the smell of the corpse. Along with Zhao Gao (died 208/207 BCE), Li Siu contrived to place Hu Hai on the throne. Hu Hai was the weak second son of Shi Huangdi. Due to the weakness of Hu Hai, the oppressed people of China grew bolder and soon began to revolt.
Through a series of uprisings and rebel alliances, the Qin authority was overthrown in the year 206 BCE in the capital of Xianyang. The Imperial House was massacred and the Qin Dynasty was thus at an end. A complicated series of battles followed for the honour of being the successor to the Qin Dynasty which resulted in the period known as the Chu-Han Contention in which Xiang-Yu of the state of Chu fought Liu Bang of Han for supremacy. Liu Bang emerged victorious following Xiang-Yu's defeat at the Battle of Gaixia in 202 BCE. Liu Bang (247 BCE- 195 BCE) was applauded as a man of the people and, after his victory, founded the Han Dynasty.
Legacy of the Qin Dynasty
As mentioned previously, Legalism had a lasting effect on the entirety of Chinese history. The Qin Dynasty created the standard of bureaucratic government and the Legalistic policies first initiated by the Qin are still seen in China today. In addition, the dynasty left a wonder of ancient artwork: The Terracotta Army in Xi’an. This tomb reflects the character of the Chinese emperor and his unending desire to be immortal. The Terracotta Army also exemplifies what Chinese society at that time was able to produce once it had been formed as a state. The most famous legacy left by the Qin is The Great Wall of China. Although the present structure does not date from the Qin Dynasty, it was begun under Shi Huangdi, as was the Grand Canal, and the roads which today link the cities of China and the countryside. The Qin did more than just found a dynasty in China: they brought a continent together.
Exercise of History & Culture [Qin Dynasty]
Ways With Words
A. Match the words with their meanings.
brevity = lasting only for a short time
conquest = victory over a place or people by use of military force
resemblance = the state of being alike
barbarian = a member of an uncivilized group of people of culture
ally = one state united to another by a treaty or a league for a military purpose
nobility = state of being noble in character, quality, or rank
ruthlessness = character of having no pity or compassion
decimation = the killing or destruction of a large number of a population
harsh = cruel
elixir = liquid that is believed to cure all ills
B. Find the following words in the text and use them in sentences of your own.
invasion (intrusion/the act of an army that invaded for conquest or plunder)
Thousands of troops have massed along the border for an invasion.
disregard (ignore)
He disregarded his father’s advice and left the school.
paramount (supreme)
Patriotism must be for the paramount of the nation.
populace (the people living in a particular country or area)
They had the populace on their side.
revolt (take violent action against an established government or ruler; rebel)
He was suspected of bringing about a revolt in the country.
assassination (killing/an attack to ruin someone’s reputation)
Indira Gandhi’s assassination took place on 31 October 1984.
serfdom (the state of being a serf or feudal labourer)
Serfdom was abolished in Nepal on July 17, 2000.
C. Study the following homographs.
Homographs - Two words are homographs if they are spelt the same way but differ in meaning.
(D) Consult a dictionary and prepare a list of ten homographs.
Address = physical location
Address = make a speech
Accent = manner of pronunciation
Accent = mark above the letter
Bank = financial institution
Bank = corner of the river, side of the water
Book = published work
Book = reserve place
Bar = length of solid material
Bar = place of drinking
Bear = large furry animal
Bear = tolerate
Can = be able to
Can = food container
Capital = wealth, cash investment
Capital = seat of government
Compact = small and efficiently
Compact = agreement
Date = time of the event (day, month, year)
Date = small oval fruit
Question Answer
a) Why is the Zhou Age called a feudal age?
Answer: The Zhou Age is called a feudal age because it had a strong resemblance to some of the forms of feudalism in medieval Europe.
b) What is the location advantage of the Qin?
Answer: The territory of the Qin State is in a favourable location. It is in modern Shaanxi Province. It is well guarded against the east by mountains and valleys. It has easy access to the North China plain through the Yellow River passes. It is safe. So, no major battle ever took place in the Qin’s heartland.
c) What contributed to the success in the warfare as described in the text?
Answer: The location of the state, the size of the army and expert use of the chariot contributed to their success in warfare.
d) Why did the Qin invite the foreign advisor, Shang Yang?
Answer: The Qin invited the foreign advisor Shang Yang because the kingdom of Qin lacked skilled intellectuals and politicians. Shang Yang was foreign policy expert person.
e) What were the key features of the Qin political system?
Answer: Fear and control were the key features of the Qin political system.
f. How were the people treated during the Qin Period?
Answer: During the Qin Period, people were treated according to the legalization. All the people had to follow rules and work for the welfare of the kingdom collectively. They were threatened, controlled and kept away from education. They were severely punished if they violated the rules of the kingdom.
g) Why did Shi Huangdi stop educating ordinary people?
Answer: Shi Huangdi stopped educating ordinary people to control them easily. According to him, uneducated people were easier to control. Stupid people were easily controlled and ruled over. They never questioned the emperor and his empire.
h) What did the Qin achieve by legalism in practice?
Answer: The Qin achieved the efficiency and strength of the state. Qin achieved a superior army, a disciplined bureaucracy, an obedient population and the unquestioned authority of central government by legalism in practice.
i) Why did Shi Huangdi never sleep in the same room for two consecutive nights?
Answer: Shi Huangdi never slept in the same room for two consecutive nights because he was afraid of being assassinated.
j) What are the everlasting marks of the Qin Dynasty?
Answer: Answer: Shi Huangdi never slept in the same room for two consecutive nights because of constant fear of assassination.
Critical thinking
a. The Great Wall and the Taj Mahal are the creation of the autocratic rulers. Present your view for or against this statement.
Answer: I believe that the Great Wall of China and the Taj Mahal were created by autocratic rulers. The Great Wall of China was built to protect the northern empire of China from enemy attacks. There are nineteen walls. The first wall was built in the 7th century BC.
The Great Wall of China cannot be built by individual effort. As punishment, people were forced to undertake such projects by autocratic rulers. The text mentions that people throughout the empire must share responsibility with each other. If a person did not behave according to the rules, others had to contact them. If they did not, they were dismembered or beheaded. Those who made the greatest contribution to the state were highly rewarded, while those whose lives were deemed inconsequential were used as slaves in Shi Huangdi’s construction projects such as the Great Wall of China, the Grand Canal, and the streets that grew up in the simple trade and travel.
Likewise, the Taj Mahal is the result of the autocratic ruler of the Mughal Emperor of India, Shah Jahan. It is believed that he built it to immortalize his wife Mumtaz. Shah Jahan is said to have cut off the artists’ hands to prevent them from recreating the same type of structure. Historical facts show that the king was more inconsiderate than romantic. It took 20,000 workers to build the Taj Mahal over 20 years.
Everyone remembers the names of the emperors who built the structures, but no one is eager to explore the reality behind the structures. Therefore, The Great Wall and the Taj Mahal can be considered as the creation of autocratic rulers.
b. How do you describe the pros and cons of feudalism?
Feudalism, also called feudal system or feudality, historiographic construct designating the social, economic, and political conditions in western Europe during the Early Middle Ages, the long stretch of time between the 5th and 12th centuries. Feudalism and the related term feudal system are labels invented long after the period to which they were applied. They refer to what those who invented them perceived as the most significant and distinctive characteristics of the early and central Middle Ages.
The Pros of Feudalism
1. Every member of society, including the lowest class, gets to feel like they are important and valued. When even the poorest members of a society are able to feel as if they are a key part of it, this leads to increased morale among the lower class and gives the upper-class valuable peace of mind, as they know that civil unrest is at a minimum.
2. Richer citizens are able to increase the amount of land they own with relative ease. Being able to expand land ownership without having to clear it with other people makes life much simpler for the upper class. Other forms of society do not believe in giving their citizens the same level of freedom.
3. Once a person owns their own property, they are able to exercise ultimate control over what takes place there. They can hire serfs and peasants to work the land and pay them whatever rate seems fair to them. Controlling every aspect of what takes place on your own land is an advantage that is not available in most forms of government and it provides landowners with an unparalleled level of freedom.
1. A king’s power is essentially unlimited in a feudal society. This is due to the fact that a king is considered to have all of the power and they are thought of as gods to the lower class. With no other gods existing above them, this leads to unchecked power, which tends to corrupt even the sanest, incorruptible people.
2. Since kings were able to make rules without receiving any sort of say from the rest of society, this allows them to raise taxes to whatever level they see fit. The kings have every last drop of power and the proletariat class has no chance of fighting back. Important decisions about the direction of a feudal society are made without any sort of input from serfs and peasants.
3. The system is set up for the rich to prosper and keep themselves in power, without taking the time to consider the wants and needs of the classes below them. As a result, the peasant/serf classes were often forced to do without important necessities, including food, water and even shelter. When the poor are not able to meet their basic needs, this tends to lead to the breakdown of a society, no matter who is in charge.
Writing
a. Write an email to your friend living abroad stating the contributions of Prithvi Narayan Shah in the unification of Nepal.
Answer:
From: [email protected]
Subject: Contributions of Prithivi Narayan Shah.
Dear Lhakpa,
Hope that you are well and safe. With reference to your previous letter I thought to share some information about the efforts of Prithvi Narayan Shah in Nepal's history. He was a great and visionary leader who fought well for the unification of Nepal. He lead an effective campaign to unite Nepal. He not only strengthened the borders of his regime but also extended it. His time is a remarkable one. I will share more details when we meet.
From your friend,
Pema
B. The table shows the major political movements in Nepal after the end of the Rana Regime. Write a paragraph of each event with their key contributions in the political landscape of Nepal.
Establishment of Democracy - The revolution of 1951 in Nepal, also referred to as Sat Salko Kranti, was a political movement against the direct rule by the Rana dynasty of Nepal. It marks the beginning of the political awakening and democratic movements in Nepal and resulted in immediate abolition of the institutionalized hereditary Prime Minister system in Nepal.
First General Election - The Nepalese general election of 1959, held from 18 February to 3 April 1959, to elect the 109 members of the first House of Representatives, the lower house of the Parliament of Nepal. It was conducted under the provisions of the Constitution of the Kingdom of Nepal, 1959, which was adopted on 12 February 1959.
Dismissal of Elected Government - In early 1959, Tribhuvan’s son King Mahendra issued a new constitution, and the first democratic elections for a national assembly were held. The Nepali Congress Party was victorious and their leader, Bishweshwar Prasad Koirala formed a government and served as prime minister. But by 1960, King Mahendra had changed his mind and dissolved Parliament, dismissing the first democratic government.
National Referendum - A referendum on the system of government was held in Nepal on 2 May 1980. Voters were offered the choice between a non-partisan panchayat system and a multi-party system. The panchayat system received a slim majority of 54.8%.
People’s Movement I - The 1990 People's Movement was a multiparty movement in Nepal that brought an end to absolute monarchy and the beginning of the constitutional monarchy. It also eliminated the Panchayat system. The movement was marked by the unity between the various political parties.
People’s Movement II - The 2006 Democracy Movement is a name given to the political agitations against the direct and undemocratic rule of King Gyanendra of Nepal. The movement is also sometimes referred to as Jan Andolan II.
GRAMMAR
B. Complete the texts below using the correct past forms of the verbs from the bracket.
The Maya established a very advanced civilisation in the jungles of the Yucatan. However, their culture had disappeared by the time Europeans first arrived in the New World.
When I turned on the radio yesterday, I heard a song that was popular when I was at the basic level of my study. It took me back to some old memories.
I was looking for a job. I applied for a job last week. Fortunately, I got it and now I am a job holder.
C. Choose the correct words from the list and complete the sentences with the correct verb form.
teach , write, see, get up, throw, cost
Newton saw an apple falling from the tree.
Ramesh Bikal wrote many popular stories.
My jacket is expensive. It cost me Rs 5000.
She got up early in the morning yesterday.
When I was small, my father taught me at home.
Why did you throw the cap away?
D. Put the verb into the correct form and complete the sentences.
I went to see the film, but I did not enjoy it.
I met Rojina in town a few days ago.
It was very warm, so I took off my coat.
Though the bed was very comfortable, I did not sleep very well.
I started a new job last week.
He was too busy in the office yesterday.
Nita invited her to the party, but she didn’t come.