Qin Shi Huang

Qin Shi Huang ( ), born Ying Zheng ( ), was the founder of the Qin dynasty and the first emperor of a unified China. He ruled from 221 BCE until his death in 210 BCE. His reign marked a significant turning point in Chinese history, as he implemented sweeping reforms and centralized power, laying the foundation for the imperial structure that would dominate China for the next two millennia.

Early Life

Ying Zheng was born in 259 BCE in the city of Handan, the capital of the State of Zhao. His father, King Zhuangxiang of Qin, was a prince of the State of Qin, and his mother was Lady Zhao. At the age of 13, Ying Zheng ascended the throne of Qin following his father's death, with Lü Buwei acting as regent.

Unification of China

Ying Zheng embarked on a series of military campaigns to conquer the other six warring states: Han, Zhao, Yan, Wei, Chu, and Qi. By 221 BCE, he had successfully unified these states under his rule, declaring himself "Qin Shi Huang," meaning "First Emperor of Qin."

Reforms and Achievements

Qin Shi Huang implemented numerous reforms to consolidate his power and unify the newly formed empire:

• Centralization of Power: He abolished the feudal system and divided the empire into administrative units governed by officials appointed by the emperor.
• Standardization: He standardized weights, measures, and even the width of cart axles to facilitate trade and communication.
• Legalism: Qin Shi Huang adopted Legalism as the state philosophy, emphasizing strict laws and harsh punishments to maintain order.
• Great Wall of China: He initiated the construction of the Great Wall of China to protect against northern invasions.
• Terracotta Army: He commissioned the creation of the Terracotta Army to guard his tomb, a massive archaeological site discovered in 1974.

Death and Legacy

Qin Shi Huang died in 210 BCE during a tour of Eastern China. His death was kept secret by his advisors until they could safely return to the capital. His son, Qin Er Shi, succeeded him but was unable to maintain the empire, which quickly fell into chaos, leading to the rise of the Han dynasty.

Qin Shi Huang's legacy is complex. While he is credited with unifying China and laying the groundwork for future dynasties, his rule was also marked by tyranny, censorship, and the burning of books. His mausoleum, guarded by the Terracotta Army, remains one of the most significant archaeological discoveries of the 20th century.

Also see

• Qin dynasty
• Legalism (Chinese philosophy)
• Great Wall of China
• Terracotta Army
• Han dynasty