Nanking

Nanjing means "southern capital" literally. During six dynasties from 3rd to 6th century -- Wu, East Jin, Song, Qi, Liang, Chen -- Nanjing was the capital city under various names. In middle Chinese, Nanjing was called Báixià (白下). It was also the capital of the Ming Dynasty before Yongle Emperor moved the capital to Beijing. According to a popular legend, the capital was moved when the emperor's advisors brought the emperor to the hills surrounding Nanjing and pointed out the emperor's palace showing the vulnerablity of the palace to artillery attack.

Nanjing was also capital of the Taipings in the mid-19th century.

After the Northern Expedition in 1928, the Kuomintang under Chiang Kai-Shek established Nanjing as the capital of China in opposition to a government in Beijing led by northern warlords and a alternate government in Wuhan led by Wang Jingwei. After the completion of the Northern Expedition in 1931, Chiang's government became the only recognized Chinese government.

The city fell to the Japanese in 1937 who massacred prisoners-of-war, refugees and its residents during the Battle of Nanjing (see Nanjing Massacre). Chiang moved his government to Chongqing City, and the Japanese established Nanjing as a puppet government under Wang Jingwei. After the end of World War II, Nanjing was reestablished as the capital of the Republic of China. In 1949, after the defeat of Chiang's forces on the Mainland, the capital of the People's Republic of China was established in Beijing. The Republic of China on Taiwan continues to recognize Nanjing as its "official" capital, while Taipei is deemed as only "temporary."

Compare to Beijing (northern capital), Tokyo and Tonkin (eastern capitals).

Colleges and universities

• Nanjing Aeronautics and Astronautics University
• Nanjing Agricultural University
• Nanjing Normal University
• Nanjing University
• Nanjing University of Science and Technology
• Southeast University

See also: Treaty of Nanjing

Referenced By