NAKARAJAN: The Song Dynasty 960-1279

The Song Dynasty 960-1279 PAPER CURRENCIES AND COPPER TALLYS

The Song Dynasty (960-1279 CE) was a major imperial dynasty in Chinese history, known for its advancements in technology, flourishing economy, and rich culture. It's divided into two main periods: the Northern Song (960-1127) and the Southern Song (1127-1279).

This video provides an overview of the Song Dynasty's history:

Key Aspects of the Song Dynasty:

Founding and Unification:

The Song Dynasty was established by Emperor Taizu of Song, who unified China after the fragmented Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period.

Economic Prosperity:

The Song Dynasty saw remarkable economic growth, with advancements in agriculture, trade, and industry, particularly in the south.

Technological Innovations:

This era witnessed significant technological advancements, including the development of movable type printing, gunpowder, the mechanical clock, and superior shipbuilding.

Cultural Flourishing:

The Song Dynasty was a period of intense cultural activity, with advancements in art, literature, philosophy, and particularly ceramics.

Civil Service Exams:

The Song Dynasty further developed the civil service examination system, which played a crucial role in selecting officials based on merit.

Political and Military Challenges:

Despite its achievements, the Song Dynasty faced political factions, military conflicts, and territorial disputes, particularly with the Jurchen Jin dynasty and later the Mongols.

End of the Dynasty:

The Song Dynasty ultimately fell to the Mongol invasion, with the Southern Song capital of Hangzhou falling in 1279.

Song dynasty, (960–1279), Chinese dynasty that ruled the country during one of its most brilliant cultural epochs. It is commonly divided into Bei (Northern) and Nan (Southern) Song periods, as the dynasty ruled only in South China after 1127.

The Bei Song was founded by Zhao Kuangyin, the military inspector general of the Hou (Later) Zhou dynasty (last of the Five Dynasties), who usurped control of the empire in a coup. Thereafter, he used his mastery of diplomatic maneuvering to persuade powerful potential rivals to exchange their power for honours and sinecures, and he proceeded to become an admirable emperor (known as Taizu, his temple name). He set the nation on a course of sound administration by instituting a competent and pragmatic civil service; he followed Confucian principles, lived modestly, and took the country’s finest military units under his personal command. Before his death he had begun an expansion into the small Ten Kingdoms of southern China.

Taizu’s successors maintained an uneasy peace with the menacing Liao kingdom of the Khitan to the north. Over time, the quality of the bureaucracy deteriorated, and when the Juchen (Chinese: Nüzhen, or Ruzhen)—tribes from the North who overthrew the Liao—burst into the northern Song state, it was easy prey. The Juchen took over the North and established a dynasty with a Chinese name, the Jin. But they were unable to take those regions of Song territory south of the Yangtze River (Chang Jiang).

In the South, the climate and the beautiful surroundings were the setting for the Nan Song dynasty established (1127) by the emperor Gaozong. He chose a capital he called Lin’an (present-day Hangzhou) and set about maintaining defenses against the hostile North and restoring imperial authority in the hinterland. Gaozong was a conscious admirer and emulator of the highly successful approach of the Han dynasty to the management of civil service, and the empire’s bureaucrats long functioned well. In due course, however, the dynasty began to decline. But the eventual fall of the Song dynasty was neither sudden nor a collapse upon itself such as had ended several of its predecessors. The Mongols, under Genghis Khan, began their move on China with an assault on the Jin state in the North in 1211. After their eventual success in the North and several decades of uneasy coexistence with the Song, the Mongols—under Genghis Khan’s grandsons—advanced on the Song forces in 1250. The Song forces fought on until 1276, when their capital fell. The dynasty finally ended in 1279 with the destruction of the Song fleet near Guangzhou (Canton).

During the Song period, commerce developed to an unprecedented extent; trade guilds were organized, paper currency came into increasing use, and several cities with populations of more than 1,000,000 flourished along the principal waterways and the southeast coast. Widespread printing of the Confucian Classics and the use of movable type, beginning in the 11th century, brought literature and learning to the people. Flourishing private academies and state schools graduated increasing numbers of competitors for the civil service examinations. The administration developed a comprehensive welfare policy that made this one of the most humane periods in Chinese history. In the works of the 12th-century philosophers Zhu Xi and Lu Jiuyuan, Neo-Confucianism was systematized into a coherent doctrine.

The Song dynasty is particularly noted for the great artistic achievements that it encouraged and, in part, subsidized. The Bei Song dynasty at Bianjing had begun a renewal of Buddhism and of literature and the arts. The greatest poets and painters in the empire were in attendance at court. The last of the Northern Song emperors was himself perhaps the most noteworthy artist and art collector in the country. His capital at Kaifeng was a city of beauty, abounding in palaces, temples, and tall pagodas when, in 1126, the Juchen burned it. The architecture of the Song era was noted for its tall structures; the highest pagoda at Bianjing was 360 feet (110 metres). Song architects curved the eave line of roofs upward at the corners. Pagodas, six- or eight-sided and built of brick or wood, still survive from the period.

The sculpture of the Song period continued to emphasize representations of the Buddha, and in that genre there were no substantive improvements over the work of Song sculptors in succeeding dynasties. Landscape painting was one of the outstanding arts of the Bei Song, and its most noted figures were Fan Kuan and Li Cheng. In the Nan Song many great painters served at the Hanlin Academy, becoming noted for brush effects, miniatures, and, under Chan (Zen) influence, paintings of Buddhist deities, animals, and birds.

In the decorative arts the Song dynasty marked a high point in Chinese pottery. Song wares are noted for their simplicity of shape and the purity of colour and tone of their glazes. From the Bei Song came Ding, Ru, Zhun, Cizhou, northern celadon, and brown and black glazed wares; from the Nan Song came Jingdezhen whiteware, Jizhou wares, celadons, and the black pottery of Fujian. Pottery produced at the Guan kilns, near the Nan Song capital, was the finest of an enormous number of celadons of the dynasty.

The tendency of Song jade carvers to adopt old lines and techniques makes difficult the accurate dating of jades that may be from the Song, and it has been similarly difficult to place Song lacquerware.

In music the Bei Song adopted a two-stringed fiddle from the northern tribes, and music was widely used for ceremonies, sacrifices, and other court events. Music attracted considerable attention in the dynasty’s enormous works of literature: the official history of the dynasty devoted 17 of its 496 chapters to musical events, and an encyclopaedia that appeared in 1267 has 10 of 200 chapters on the subject of music. Music drama flourished throughout the Song, and distinctly different styles evolved in the North and the South. The literature of the Song dynasty emphasized a return to old-time simplicity of expression in prose, and short tales called guwen were written in great volume. A school of oral storytelling in the vernacular arose, and conventional poetry enjoyed wide cultivation. Song poets achieved their greatest distinction, however, in the new genre of the ci, sung poems of joy and despair. These poems became the literary hallmark of the dynasty. For the diversity and richness of its cultural achievements, the Song dynasty is remembered as one of China’s greatest.

Northern Song (960-1127):

Capital in Kaifeng, focused on consolidating power and building a strong central government.

Southern Song (1127-1279):

Moved the capital south to Hangzhou after losing control of the north to the Jin, continuing economic development and cultural achievements in the south.

Northern Song dynasty cash coins^[a]

Inscription	Traditional Chinese	Simplified Chinese	Scripts	Period minted	Emperor
Song Yuan Tong Bao	宋元通寶	宋元通宝	Regular script	960–976	Taizu
Tai Ping Tong Bao	太平通寶	太平通宝	Regular script	976–989	Taizong
Chun Hua Yuan Bao	淳化元寶	淳化元宝	Regular script, Seal script, Running script	990–994	Taizong
Zhi Dao Yuan Bao	至道元寶	至道元宝	Regular script, Grass script,^[17] Running script	995–997	Taizong
Xian Ping Yuan Bao	咸平元寶	咸平元宝	Regular script	998–1003	Zhenzong
Jing De Yuan Bao	景德元寶	景德元宝	Regular script	1004–1007	Zhenzong
Xiang Fu Tong Bao	祥符通寶	祥符通宝	Regular script, Running script	1008–1016	Zhenzong
Xiang Fu Yuan Bao	祥符元寶	祥符元宝	Regular script	1008–1016	Zhenzong
Tian Xi Tong Bao	天禧通寶	天禧通宝	Regular script	1017–1022	Zhenzong
Tian Sheng Yuan Bao	天聖元寶	天圣元宝	Regular script, Seal script	1023–1031	Renzong
Ming Dao Yuan Bao	明道元寶	明道元宝	Regular script, Seal script	1032–1033	Renzong
Jing You Yuan Bao	景佑元寶	景佑元宝	Regular script, Seal script	1034–1038	Renzong
Huang Song Tong Bao	皇宋通寶	皇宋通宝	Regular script, Seal script, Nine-fold seal script^[3]^[b]	1039–1054	Renzong
Kang Ding Yuan Bao	康定元寶	康定元宝	Regular script	1040	Renzong
Qing Li Zhong Bao	慶歷重寶	庆历重宝	Regular script	1041–1048	Renzong
Zhi he Tong Bao	至和通寶	至和通宝	Regular script, Seal script	1054–1055	Renzong
Zhi he Yuan Bao	至和元寶	至和元宝	Regular script, Seal script	1054–1055	Renzong
Zhi he Zhong Bao	至和重寶	至和重宝	Regular script, Seal script	1054–1055	Renzong
Jia You Tong Bao	嘉佑通寶	嘉佑通宝	Regular script, Seal script	1056–1063	Renzong
Jia You Yuan Bao	嘉佑元寶	嘉佑元宝	Regular script, Seal script	1056–1063	Renzong
Zhi Ping Tong Bao	治平通寶	治平通宝	Regular script, Seal script	1064–1067	Yingzong
Zhi Ping Yuan Bao	治平元寶	治平元宝	Regular script, Seal script	1064–1067	Yingzong
Xi Ning Tong Bao	熙寧通寶	熙宁通宝	Regular script, Seal script	1068–1077	Shenzong
Xi Ning Yuan Bao	熙寧元寶	熙宁元宝	Regular script, Seal script	1068–1077	Shenzong
Xi Ning Zhong Bao	熙寧重寶	熙宁重宝	Regular script, Seal script	1068–1077	Shenzong
Yuan Feng Tong Bao	元豐通寶	元丰通宝	Regular script, Seal script, Running script	1078–1085	Shenzong
Yuan You Tong Bao	元佑通寶	元佑通宝	Seal script, Running script^[18]	1086–1094	Zhezong
Shao Sheng Tong Bao	紹聖通寶	绍圣通宝	Regular script, Seal script, Running script	1094–1098	Zhezong
Shao Sheng Yuan Bao	紹聖元寶	绍圣元宝	Regular script, Seal script, Running script	1094–1098	Zhezong
Yuan Fu Tong Bao	元符通寶	元符通宝	Regular script, Seal script, Running script	1098–1100	Zhezong
Jian Guo Tong Bao^[c]	建國通寶	建国通宝	Regular script, Seal script	1101	Huizong
Sheng Song Tong Bao	聖宋通寶	圣宋通宝	Regular script, Seal script	1101–1106	Huizong
Sheng Song Yuan Bao	聖宋元寶	圣宋元宝	Clerical script, Seal script, Running script^[19]	1101–1106	Huizong
Chong Ning Tong Bao	崇寧通寶	崇宁通宝	Regular script	1102–1106	Huizong
Chong Ning Yuan Bao	崇寧元寶	崇宁元宝	Regular script	1102–1106	Huizong
Chong Ning Zhong Bao	崇寧重寶	崇宁重宝	Regular script	1102–1106	Huizong
Da Guan Tong Bao	大觀通寶	大观通宝	Regular script	1107–1110	Huizong
Zheng He Tong Bao	政和通寶	政和通宝	Regular script, Seal script	1111–1117	Huizong
Chong He Tong Bao	重和通寶	重和通宝	Regular script, Seal script	1118–1119	Huizong
Xuan He Tong Bao	宣和通寶	宣和通宝	Regular script, Seal script	1119–1125	Huizong
Xuan He Yuan Bao	宣和元寶	宣和元宝	Regular script, Seal script	1119–1125	Huizong
Jing Kang Tong Bao	靖康通寶	靖康通宝	Regular script, Seal script	1126–1127	Qinzong
Jing Kang Yuan Bao	靖康元寶	靖康元宝	Regular script, Seal script	1126–1127	Qinzong

Southern Song dynasty cash coins

Inscription	Traditional Chinese	Simplified Chinese	Scripts	Period minted	Emperor
Jianyan Tongbao	建炎通寶	建炎通宝	Regular script, Seal script	1127–1130	Gaozong
Jianyan Yuanbao	建炎元寶	建炎元宝	Regular script, Seal script	1127–1130	Gaozong
Jianyan Zhongbao	建炎重寶	建炎重宝	Seal script	1127–1130	Gaozong
Shaoxing Tongbao	紹興通寶	绍兴通宝	Regular script, Seal script	1131–1162	Gaozong
Shaoxing Yuanbao	紹興元寶	绍兴元宝	Regular script	1131–1162	Gaozong
Longxing Tongbao	隆興通寶	隆兴通宝	Regular script, Seal script	1163–1164	Xiaozong
Longxing Yuanbao	隆興元寶	隆兴元宝	Regular script, Seal script	1163–1164	Xiaozong
Qiandao Tongbao	乾道通寶	干道通宝	Regular script	1165–1173	Xiaozong
Qiandao Yuanbao	乾道元寶	干道元宝	Regular script	1165–1173	Xiaozong
Chunxi Tongbao	淳熙通寶	淳熙通宝	Regular script	1174–1189	Xiaozong
Chunxi Yuanbao	淳熙元寶	淳熙元宝	Regular script, Seal script	1174–1189	Xiaozong
Shaoxi Tongbao	紹熙通寶	绍熙通宝	Regular script, Seal script	1190–1194	Guangzong
Shaoxi Yuanbao	紹熙元寶	绍熙元宝	Regular script, Seal script	1190–1194	Guangzong
Qingyuan Tongbao	慶元通寶	庆元通宝	Regular script	1195–1200	Ningzong
Qingyuan Yuanbao	慶元元寶	庆元元宝	Regular script	1195–1200	Ningzong
Jiatai Tongbao	嘉泰通寶	嘉泰通宝	Regular script	1201–1204	Ningzong
Jiatai Yuanbao	嘉泰元寶	嘉泰元宝	Regular script	1201–1204	Ningzong
Kaixi Tongbao	開禧通寶	开禧通宝	Regular script	1205–1207	Ningzong
Kaixi Yuanbao	開禧元寶	开禧元宝	Regular script	1205–1207	Ningzong
Shengsong Yuanbao	聖宋元寶	圣宋元宝	Regular script	1210	Ningzong
Shengsong Zhongbao	聖宋重寶	圣宋重宝	Regular script	1210	Ningzong
Jiading Tongbao	嘉定通寶	嘉定通宝	Regular script	1208–1224	Ningzong
Jiading Zhongbao	嘉定重寶	嘉定重宝	Regular script, seal script	1208–1224	Ningzong
Jiading Yuanbao	嘉定元寶	嘉定元宝	Regular script	1208–1224	Ningzong
Jiading Dabao	嘉定大寶	嘉定大宝	Regular script	1208–1224	Ningzong
Jiading Chongbao	嘉定崇寶	嘉定崇宝	Regular script	1208–1224	Ningzong
Jiading Quanbao	嘉定全寶	嘉定全宝	Regular script	1208–1224	Ningzong
Jiading Yongbao	嘉定永寶	嘉定永宝	Regular script	1208–1224	Ningzong
Jiading Zhenbao	嘉定真寶	嘉定真宝	Regular script	1208–1224	Ningzong
Jiading Xinbao	嘉定新寶	嘉定新宝	Regular script	1208–1224	Ningzong
Jiading Anbao	嘉定安寶	嘉定安宝	Regular script	1208–1224	Ningzong
Jiading Longbao	嘉定隆寶	嘉定隆宝	Regular script	1208–1224	Ningzong
Jiading Quanbao	嘉定泉寶	嘉定泉宝	Regular script	1208–1224	Ningzong
Jiading Zhengbao	嘉定正寶	嘉定正宝	Regular script	1208–1224	Ningzong
Jiading Hongbao	嘉定洪寶	嘉定洪宝	Regular script	1208–1224	Ningzong
Jiading Wanbao	嘉定万寶	嘉定万宝	Regular script	1208–1224	Ningzong
Jiading Zhibao	嘉定之寶	嘉定之宝	Regular script	1208–1224	Ningzong
Jiading Zhenbao	嘉定珍寶	嘉定珍宝	Regular script	1208–1224	Ningzong
Jiading Xingbao	嘉定興寶	嘉定兴宝	Regular script	1208–1224	Ningzong
Jiading Yongbao^[20]	嘉定用寶	嘉定用宝	Regular script	1208–1224	Ningzong
Jiading Zhibao	嘉定至寶	嘉定至宝	Regular script	1208–1224	Ningzong
Jiading Fengbao	嘉定封寶	嘉定封宝	Regular script	1208–1224	Ningzong
Baoqing Yuanbao	寶慶元寶	宝庆元宝	Regular script	1225–1227	Lizong
Dasong Tongbao	大宋通寶	大宋通宝	Regular script	1225	Lizong
Dasong Yuanbao	大宋元寶	大宋元宝	Regular script	1225–1227	Lizong
Shaoding Tongbao	紹定通寶	绍定通宝	Regular script	1228–1233	Lizong
Shaoding Yuanbao	紹定元寶	绍定元宝	Regular script	1228–1233	Lizong
Duanping Tongbao	端平通寶	端平通宝	Regular script	1234–1236	Lizong
Duanping Yuanbao	端平元寶	端平元宝	Regular script	1234–1236	Lizong
Duanping Zhongbao	端平重寶	端平重宝	Regular script	1234–1236	Lizong
Jiaxi Tongbao	嘉熙通寶	嘉熙通宝	Regular script	1237–1240	Lizong
Jiaxi Zhongbao	嘉熙重寶	嘉熙重宝	Regular script	1237–1240	Lizong
Chunyou Tongbao	淳佑通寶	淳佑通宝	Regular script	1241–1252	Lizong
Chunyou Yuanbao	淳佑元寶	淳佑元宝	Regular script	1241–1252	Lizong
Huangsong Yuanbao	皇宋元寶	皇宋元宝	Regular script	1253–1258	Lizong
Kaiqing Tongbao	開慶通寶	开庆通宝	Regular script	1259	Lizong
Jingding Yuanbao	景定元寶	景定元宝	Regular script	1260–1264	Lizong
Xianchun Yuanbao	咸淳元寶	咸淳元宝	Regular script	1265–1274	Duzong