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In this paper, I will be analyzing the key differences and similarities between an empire and a kingdom in the early 1500s to late 1700s in parts of Asia. Empire, states an area that is controlled by a centralized government with many countries ruled by one government. As for kingdom, representing a government that’s controlled by a dominant family with the roles inherited through generations. Although empires can have qualities that represent themselves as kingdoms, not all kingdoms are capable to be empires. In this paper, I’m going to examine the differences in the Ming Empire and the Choson Kingdom in East Asia, the Mughal Empire in South Asia and the Khmer Empire in Southeast Asia.
A well-recognized empire in East Asia created in the early 14th century by Zhu Yuan Zhang is the Ming Empire. The creation of this empire allowed for a more economic benefit towards society and the government more or less rather than ethnic wise. The Ming Empire is represented as a authoritarian and centralized government which devoted a lot towards the Confucian Civil Service Examination System. Hongwu, one of the founders of the Ming empire committed to restoring Confucian values and bringing together their country allowing for a stronger government. “He ordered that Chinese customs replace Mongol practices” (Yonglin, 153). This causing changes from the smallest things like dress code, to marriage and finally to the social hierarchy. Also due to his attentiveness towards education, he created a impact on the country “reshaped Chinese political history” (Yonglin, 153). As for the trades that occured in this empire, China was a great place for trade mainly from its easy access for mobility from the water around them. They were able to create a bond with other countries through the use of the hierarchical tributary system. This providing a benefiting for both the giving and receiving countries while others provide a tribute to China, China agrees to protect them from different causes. Although under the tribute system many countries got out of the way to receive autonomy for their country. As the Ming Empire developed their society second commercial revolution helped increase their communication and transportations for trade toward other countries. They were very open to forming a tie within their neighbouring countries. Due to the great amount of supply for agriculture, and many other goods without the use of machinery their trading relationships increased with many different countries including Southeast Asia, Europe, and Arabia. The Ming Empire progressively developed and had many downfalls through time whether it was through their great supply of agriculture or their monetization through their use of silver. They were able to overcome many things throughout their ruling era. Overall, the Ming Empire is a great example of an empire and its duties where its able to demonstrates a centralized government that is perceived to have maintained many strong relationships with many different countries.
Next, is the Choson Kingdom is also known as the Yi dynasty, which ruled in Korea by King Taejong during the alterations from Ming to Qing. Compared to others Choson is well recognized due to its capability to have lasted for over five centuries. A huge advantage that they have is due to their great bond with Korean yangban who were powerful elites that retained a powerful position within the area. Though Korea retains a weaker monarchy, Choson has inherited many of chinese traditions including a Chinese style centralized government and basing a lot towards the Confucian Civil Service Examination enabling them to adapt to many of the Chinese cultures. The Choson rulers have lacked power throughout their existence. There has never been a immediate family who retained all power over everyone else. Their rulers positions where not definit due to them varying from different families but mainly those within the yangban. The Choson Kingdom maintained a great amount of success within there existing years due to the number of restrictions they have set with their neighboring countries. “Isolated the country from disruptive foreign influences and restricting trade to official channels” (Miller, 34). They discontinued many relationships with others and even drawing a line for the relationship between Choson and the Westerners. They are a very self-reliant kingdom who strengthens their community through many independent actions. Compared to the Ming Empire who was more open to international trade and wished to start trade within the western area (Yonglin, 151). Choson is a good definition of a kingdom due to them being so confined from others and from the things they do.
In South Asia one empire that stands out to me greatly is the India Mughal Empire. The word Mughal came from the Muslim Turkish from parts of Central Asia who has mispronounced the pronunciation for Mongols in Persian known as the descendants from Genghis Khan. The Mughal empire is known to be a centralized government ruling over different countries allowing it to be defined as an empire. Their government is not based on feudalism and they only lead armies personally loyal to them. The bonds built within the major roles of the empire had emperors overthrown by the sons that inherited this major role. “Empire in which a majority of the subject were non-muslims” (Bose & Jolal, 30). Compared to the other two empires Iran and Ottoman the main evidence that allows the Mughal Empire to stand out is due to the use of non-muslims. Their government also included the use of the Mansabadon System which is an administrative system which provided calvary in the army when required. Although most of them are not just from the military they can also just be a civilian in their country. Compared to the Ming Empire the Mughals applied tax towards their agriculture and commerce. As for the tradings the Mughal Empire acquired “long distance overland and oceanic trade” (Bose & Jolal, 34) with other countries. The Mughal Empire also had a greater supply of cotton textiles, silk, and even dye. They became reliant towards the international trading system allowing for a gain to a better understanding of profitable tradings. Through these fundamental traits of the Mughal Empire, I have been able to analyze how their government differs from kingdoms. Personally, I feel that empire governments are more impactful and do more towards society rather than kingdoms who are presented more closed and restricted.
As for Southeast Asia, there has been one kingdom that plays a different role in society which is the Khmer Kingdom although its a kingdom it had the capability to be recognized with empire qualities. The Khmer Kingdom of Angkor located in Cambodia has been funded by King Jayavarman the second in 802. Jayavarman was a truly successful ruler who supported many things around his community from artworks to the building of temples and roads around the country. He allowed for a stable financial impact on his government allowing support towards schools, libraries, and hospitals. Khmer was able to maintain a great bond with China that allowed for active trade between both countries. As for the contradictory meaning towards the Khmer Kingdom, it has also come to the realization it also inherits the qualities of an empire. Khmer developed the title kingdom due to it being ruled by a dominant family member with the status of royalty within the modern era. But like what was distinguished by Craig A Lockard “the kingdom was a loosely integrated empire’ (Lockard, 39). This because through the impacts of the king, Khmer was able to develop a greater relationship with the neighboring countries. “Controlling much of present-day Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, and Southern Vietnam” (Lockard, 39) with the thought that one ruler controlling more than one country allows for the analyzation that this kingdom retains empire qualities. Khmer is also able to retain its empire title due to them having a government, although the kings had all power over the governors with autonomy. Although not a fully developed empire it enables similar qualities to an empire. Khmer here compared to other kingdoms is not as confined about the things they do rather they are more impactful towards society.
Overall, through the analyzing of different empires and kingdoms around the Asian region, I was able to identify the different impacts they both have towards their country and their government. The Ming and Mughal Empires help us explore the greater meaning of an empire while the Choson Kingdom differentiates certain characteristics that help identify them as a kingdom. Whereas in Southeast Asia we encountered the Khmer Kingdom which is special compared to others where it portrays kingdom qualities but at the same time was able to project empire affects in their society and government. Being able to clearly identify the differentiating factors between the two allowed me to have a clearer understanding of this topic. Through the examinations, other than the given definitions for the two I realized that empires create a greater effect on their country through bigger decisions whereas kingdoms seem more closed and restricted.
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