Ming China and its Allies: Imperial Rule in Eurasia

Ming China and its Allies: Imperial Rule in Eurasia
On the eve of the early modern age, Ming emperors ruled around one-quarter of the globe's population, the majority of the world's largest urban centers, the biggest standing army on the planet, and the day's most affluent economy. Far from being isolated, the Ming court was the greatest center of political patronage in East Eurasia, likely the world. Although the Ming throne might trumpet its superiority, it understood its need for allegiance from ruling elites in neighbouring regions. In this major new study, David M. Robinson explores Ming emperors' relations with the single most important category of Eurasian nobles: descendants of Ghengis Khan and their Mongol supporters. Exploring the international dimensions of Chinese rule, this revisionist but accessible account shows that even rulers such as the Ming emperor needed allies and were willing to pay for them.

Author/Editor

David M. Robinson

Publisher

Cambridge University Press

ISBN

9781108489225

Published

2020

Specialisation

Humanities

Theme

History

Region

Global Asia (Asia and other parts of the World)
East Asia
China