Ming dynasty

Ming dynasty was an empire in North China (East Asia) that lasted from 1368 to 1644 CE, about 276 years. Its people spoke Chinese languages (Sinitic languages).

Founded by the peasant rebel Zhu Yuanzhang. The Yongle emperor built the Forbidden City and sent Zheng He's fleets to Africa, the brick Great Wall was rebuilt, and the rebel Li Zicheng took Beijing in 1644.

See Ming dynasty on the interactive timeline

Facts

Dates

1368 to 1644 CE

Duration

276 years

Type

Empire

Region

North China, East Asia

Language family

Chinese

Capital

Nanjing, Beijing from 1421

Came from

• Yuan dynasty 1271 to 1368 CE

Became

• Qing dynasty 1636 to 1912 CE
• Southern Ming 1644 to 1662 CE

Events in East Asia during its time

• 1405 Zheng He's first voyage
• 1446 Hangul proclaimed
• 1592 Japanese invasion of Korea
• 1600 Battle of Sekigahara
• 1644 Fall of Beijing

Neighbours in East Asia

• Qing dynasty 1636 to 1912 CE
• Yuan dynasty 1271 to 1368 CE
• Joseon 1392 to 1897 CE
• Goryeo 918 to 1392 CE
• Ganden Phodrang (Dalai Lama government) 1642 to 1951 CE
• Edo period (Tokugawa shogunate) 1603 to 1868 CE
• Muromachi shogunate 1336 to 1573 CE
• Later Jin 1616 to 1636 CE
• Guge kingdom c. 967 to 1630 CE
• Ryukyu Kingdom 1429 to 1879 CE

Elsewhere in the world at the same time

• Republic of Venice c. 697 to 1797 CE, Europe
• Byzantine Empire 395 to 1453 CE, Europe
• Byzantine Empire 395 to 1453 CE, Middle East
• Swahili city-states c. 800 to 1700 CE, Central and Southern Africa
• Holy Roman Empire 962 to 1806 CE, Europe
• Srivijaya c. 650 to 1377 CE, Southeast Asia
• Ethiopian Empire (Solomonic dynasty) 1270 to 1974 CE, North and West Africa
• Khmer Empire 802 to 1431 CE, Southeast Asia
• Ottoman Empire 1299 to 1922 CE, Europe
• Ottoman Empire 1299 to 1922 CE, Middle East

Questions