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Nanjing Ming Capital City

Type Object Region East Asia Time 1368

The Nanjing Ming capital was the first Ming capital built by Zhu Yuanzhang, designated capital in 1368 (Hongwu 1), remaining the formal imperial capi…

Timeline

  1. 1368–1402Nanjing Forbidden City (Ming Palace) · Qinhuai DistrictDuring the Hongwu era the palace city, imperial city, and capital walls were expanded in Nanjing, with the Six Ministries and Censorate established, forming a complete early Ming capital administrative and ceremonial space that provided a spatial template for Ming institutions.
  2. 1403–1420Nanjing · Nanjing CityAlthough the Yongle Emperor built a new capital in Beijing, Nanjing remained the statutory capital from 1403 to 1420, with central institutions operating on a dual track; Nanjing continued to handle tribute dispatch, imperial examinations, and southern administrative functions.
  3. 1421–1644Nanjing Retained Capital · Nanjing CityAfter the formal capital move to Beijing in 1421 (Yongle 19), Nanjing was renamed the retained capital, keeping the Six Ministries and a complete auxiliary capital ceremonial system, and remained a major southern political, economic, and cultural center through the mid and late Ming.

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