On This Day In History: Zhao Kuangyin Became Emperor Taizu Of Powerful Song Dynasty – On Feb 4, 960
AncientPages.com - On February 4, 960, an important political and historical event occurred in China. The coronation of Zhao Kuangyin as Emperor Taizu of Song initiated the Song dynasty period of China that would last more than three centuries.
Born in a family of military tradition, Zhao Kuangyin began to learn martial arts at an early age and acquired marvelous feats. He was famous for his outstanding battle achievements.
Palace portrait on a hanging scroll, kept in the National Palace Museum, Taipei, Republic of China. Anonymous - Digitized by NPM; image is directly from Shuge - Public Domain
Emperor Taizu launched a series of wars and unified the separatist regimes in South China in thirteen years.
He conquered the Northern Han Dynasty, ended the separation situation of the previous 50 years, and reunified China again.
He was also an emperor who was good at dealing with state affairs. He conducted a variety of iron-handed reforms with his great verve: strengthening centralization, taking over local military power, and appointing civilians to be local officials.
Zhao Kuangyin is remembered for reforming the examination where the bureaucracy favors individuals who demonstrate abilities rather than birth. He paid attention to talent training, setting up schools, respecting knowledge, and revitalizing Confucianism.
He supported freedom of discussion and thoughts, which facilitated the pioneering of scientific advances, economic reforms, and achievements in arts and literature.
Zhao Kuangyin (Taizu was his posthumous title) promoted agricultural production and mulberry planting, establishing a series of critical farm policies.
He organized great Chinese scholars to compile essential classics such as 'The Taiping Imperial Encyclopedia,' 'The Cream of Literary World,' 'Cefu Yuangui,' and many more.
This emperor was a true master of the pen and the sword. He reigned for 16 years and died in 976 at 49, and his younger brother succeeded him.
AncientPages.com
More From Ancient Pages
-
Latin America’s Oldest Beer Resurrected From 400-Year-Old Yeast
Archaeology | Aug 4, 2022
-
Palermo Stone: One Of The Earliest History Records Of Ancient Egypt
Artifacts | Apr 15, 2016
-
People With Blue Eyes Have One Common Ancestor Who Appeared 10,000 Years Ago
Civilizations | Feb 24, 2017
-
1,800-Year-Old Military Medal with Medusa Head Unearthed In Ancient City of Perge (Perrhe), Southeastern Turkey
Archaeology | Oct 11, 2022
-
Crypts, Coffins, Artifacts And Wooden Church Remains Under The Floor Of Basilica In Poland
Archaeology | Mar 5, 2018
-
Legend Of The Ruthven Barracks Where Alexander Stewart Played Chess With The Devil
Featured Stories | Jan 27, 2022
-
Enigma Of 3,000-Year-Old Sculpted Head Of Biblical King Discovered In Israel
Archaeology | Jun 11, 2018
-
Rudra – Mighty Hindu God Of Death, Destruction, Hunting Who Heals Mortal Diseases
Featured Stories | Aug 10, 2021
-
Sarcophagus Of Pharaoh Ramesses II Found In Abydos, Egypt
Archaeology | May 29, 2024
-
Ancient Basilica Cistern: Intriguing Hidden Subterranean World With Medusa Heads
Featured Stories | Dec 11, 2018
-
Grandfather Frost And Snow Maiden Bring Gifts On New Year’s Eve
Christmas Traditions | Dec 31, 2024
-
Werewolf – Ancient Worldwide Belief In Terrible Curse
Myths & Legends | Jun 28, 2021
-
Great Easter Traditions Passed Down Over Centuries And Widely Practiced
Ancient History Facts | Mar 25, 2016
-
Jörmungandr – Hideous Poison-Spewing Midgard Serpent Was One Of Loki’s Children
Featured Stories | Mar 31, 2018
-
Hoards Of Viking Coins Discovered On The Island Of Saaremaa
Archaeology | Oct 7, 2019
-
Unique Viking Age Shipyard Discovered At Birka Challenges Maritime Activities Of The Viking Age
Archaeology | Jun 16, 2022
-
Unique Statue Of Roman Emperor Trajan Unearthed In Ancient City Of Laodicea,Turkey
Archaeology | Apr 12, 2019
-
Collection Of 59 Well-Preserved 26th Dynasty Coffins Unearthed In Saqqara Necropolis, Egypt
Archaeology | Oct 4, 2020
-
Colossi Of Memnon: Gigantic Stone Statues Guarding The Temple Of Pharaoh Amenhotep III
Civilizations | Jul 13, 2016
-
1,500-Year-Old Tunnel Tomb With Human Remains And Artifacts Accidentally Unearthed In Japan
Archaeology | Feb 23, 2018