The Cambridge History of China: Volume 6, Alien Regimes and Border States, 907-1368

by Herbert Franke, Denis C. Twitchett

Overview

This volume deals with four non-Chinese regimes: the Khitan dynasty of Liao; the Tangut state of Hsi Hsia; the Jurchen empire of Chin; and the Mongolian Yuan dynasty that eventually engulfed the whole of China. It investigates the historical background from which these regimes emerged and shows how each in its own way set up viable institutions for the control of a multi-racial, multi-lingual, and multi-cultural population. It discusses these problems not just as a long negative episode in China's history, but shows the ingenuity and adaptability of these states, and their success in achieving political and social stability. The volume presents the fullest chronological account of the period, in which political, institutional, social, and economic changes are integrated as far as possible, and sees the period against a broad background of international relations in Northern and Central Asia.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780521243315
Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
Publication date:	11/25/1994
Series:	The Cambridge History of China , #6
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	896
Product dimensions:	6.30(w) x 9.33(h) x 1.89(d)

Table of Contents

General editor's preface; List of maps; Preface to Volume 6; Acknowledgements; List of abbreviations; A-pao-chi's descent and the structure of the Yeh-lü clan; Outline genealogy of Liao; Liao emperors and their regnal titles; Genealogy of the Hsia ruling house; Hsia gegnal titles; Genealogy of the early Jurchen rulers; Genealogy of the Chin emperors; Chin regnal titles; Chart of Mongolian rulers; Regnal titles of Mongolian rulers; Capital cities; Introduction; 1. The Liao; 2. The Hsi Hsia; 3. The Chin; 4. The rise of the Mongolian Empire; 5. The reign of Khubilai; 6. Mid-Yüan politics; 7. Shun-ti and the end of Yüan rule in China; 8. The Yüan government and society; 9. Chinese society under Mongol rule, 1215–1368; Bibliographic notes; Bibliography; Glossary; Index.

Editorial Reviews

"...the studies presented in this volume have...raised questions which need to be further explored....the level of scholarship expressed in this volume is very high. It is to the credit of the editors and each contributor that we can now say that the stage is set for a new understanding of this period in Chinese history." Harvard Journal of Asiatic Studies

"This volume presents a more authoritative, more comprehensive, and far clearer picture of these regimes that occupied first nothern and western China, an eventually the entire country, than has previously been available....It is difficult to do full justice in reviewing a volume of such magnitude....This volume is indeed a rich banquet, but it is also one that needs to be digested slowly in order to sample fully its varied flavors. Its publication is an event worthy of celebration." The Historian

"...a tremendous contribution....this volume is an outstanding encyclopedic study of a unique part of Chinese history, and it should prove useful as a resource not only to researchers and graduate students, but also to those who teach undergraduates....unquestionably an important accomplishment. It will lead readers to a better understanding of the role of the non-Han peoples in Chinese history and encourage all to meditate upon the revolutionary question: what is, in fact, Chinese history?" China Review International

"...an important synthesis of aspects and periods of the history of China which have, until relatively recently, been somewhat neglected by scholars....Both editors and contributors deserve our congratulations and gratitude." D. O. Morgan, Reviews of Books

"...an indispensable reference work." The International History Review

"...a sound survey as well as an indispensable starting point for serious students or researchers." Choice

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