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Nanjing as Ming Auxiliary Capital

Type Object Region China Time 1368–1644

Nanjing was the founding capital of the Ming dynasty and the political center under Hongwu and Jianwen;…

Timeline

  1. 1368–1420Nanjing · NanjingZhu Yuanzhang established the capital at Yingtian Prefecture (Nanjing), building the palace city, walls, and ritual structures, and setting the early Ming capital layout and administrative center.
  2. 1421–1430Nanjing · NanjingAfter the Yongle Emperor moved the capital to Beijing, Nanjing was renamed the retained capital, keeping the Six Ministries and Censorate, with imperial princes garrisoning Nanjing, forming a two-capital administrative system.
  3. 1431–1440Nanjing · NanjingIn the 1430s Nanjing as auxiliary capital continued to manage Jiangnan taxes, tribute grain transport, and Southern Zhili affairs; the Nanjing Imperial Academy trained scholars, playing a key role in north-south economic and cultural ties.

Sources