Sui Dynasty History and Facts

Sui Dynasty History and Facts

Learn about the Sui Dynasty of Ancient China including its history, culture, accomplishments, government, rise and fall, and interesting facts.

Sui Dynasty History and Facts

Overview

After the Period of Disunion, the Sui Dynasty is best known for unifying China under one centralized government. From 581 to 618 AD, the Sui Dynasty only held power for a brief period. The Tang Dynasty took its place.

History

China had been fragmented ever since the ancient Han Dynasty fell in 220 AD. There was ongoing conflict as several regions sought for dominance. Early in the fifth century, China was dominated by the Northern and Southern Dynasties, two significant kingdoms. Yang Jian assumed leadership of the Northern Dynasty in 581. He founded the Sui Dynasty and assumed the title of Emperor Wen.

Emperor Wen collected a sizable force and launched an invasion of the south after seizing control of northern China. He invaded southern China eight years later, in 589, and established the Sui Dynasty as the dominant power in all of China.

Emperor Wen was an effective ruler. He instituted equitable taxes, distributed land to the underprivileged, and increased grain reserves, among many other reforms. He also organized China’s government.

However, the Sui Dynasty was short-lived. Under the rule of Emperor Yang (son of Emperor Wen), it started to deteriorate. China was controlled by the despot Emperor Yang. He made the peasants labor for him on important projects like the Grand Canal and the Great Wall’s reconstruction. Under his tyranny, millions of peasants perished. In 618, the Sui Dynasty was overthrown as a result of popular uprising. The Tang Dynasty took its place.

Accomplishments

Despite being a short-lived dynasty, the Sui had many accomplishments.

• China’s unification under one system
• The establishment of a national government
• Constructing the Grand Canal, which enhanced trade and national transportation
• Building a new Great Wall
• Creating grain stores to feed people in famine situations

Government

A new Chinese central government was established by Emperor Wen. Three Departments and six Ministries made up the government. The Chancellery, the Secretariat, and the Department of State Affairs made up the Three Departments. The Department of State Affairs received reports from the Six Ministries. The following ministries were among them:

• Personnel – The Personnel Ministry appointed government officials including promotions and demotions. They were very powerful.
• Rites – The Ministry of Rites oversaw official ceremonies and managed the state religions of Taoism and Buddhism.
• Finance – This ministry collected taxes.
• Justice – The Justice Ministry oversaw the courts and judges.
• Civil Works – This ministry managed the many construction projects of the Sui including the rebuilding of the Great Wall and the digging of the Great Canal.
• War – The Ministry of War oversaw the Sui army and appointed the top generals.

Culture

Buddhism was the most popular religion under the Sui Dynasty. As a result of Emperor Wen’s conversion to Buddhism, the faith came to represent all of China’s civilization as a whole. During that time, poetry and painting were also significant art forms.

Facts about the Sui Dynasty

• The Sui built the Zhaozhou Bridge across the Jiao River. It is known as the oldest surviving stone arched bridge in the world.
• Emperor Yang attempted to conquer Korea, but failed despite having a massive army of over 1 million soldiers. This loss contributed heavily to the fall of the Sui Dynasty.
• The Sui implemented civil service exams to determine the most qualified government officials.
• The Sui Dynasty is often compared to the Qin Dynasty. Both dynasties unified China, but were short-lived.

Read also:Period of Disunion in Ancient China