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K'ang Hsi 1654 - 1722 Chinese Emperor |
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K'ang Hsi (or Kangxi) was the fourth emperor of the Ch'ing or Qing
(Manchu) dynasty and he is considered one of the most important monarchs
in China's history because of his triple role as military commander, statesman and scholar.
K'ang Hsi succeeded at the age of eight, and ruled personally at 16, cultivating the image of an ideal Confucian ruler, and stressing traditional morality. He organized the compilation of a Ming history, and a large encyclopedia. K'ang Hsi crushed a pro-Ming revolt, added parts of Russia and Outer Mongolia to the Empire and asserted his control over Tibet (1720). (see Map) The emperor opened four ports to foreign trade and encouraged the introduction of Western education. He tolerated the Jesuits for their scientific and technical capacities (not for religious reasons). A man of wide personal interests, he published three volumes of essays. |
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www link : Biography History of China from the Ancient Dynasties to the Mao Period. |