The Hongwu Emperor (r. 1368-1398 CE) was the founder of the Ming dynasty (1368-1644 CE) which took over from the Mongol Yuan dynasty (1276-1368 CE) as the rulers of China. Born a peasant with the name Zhu Yuanzhang, the future emperor led a rebel group called the Red Turbans and seized the Yuan capital of Nanjing. Having defeated his rivals, Yuanzhang declared himself emperor with the reign name Hongwu in 1368 CE. Hongwu would oversee a resurgence in Han Chinese power and establish a dynasty that saw unprecedented economic growth and a flourishing of the arts. A harsh ruler who centralised government and reformed the ailing agricultural system of China, Hongwu ruthlessly dealt with any dissent at his court, executing thousands during his many purges. Probably not much loved by anyone, the emperor at least set the foundations for his successors to build upon and transform China into a world powerhouse. The emperor's posthumous name, to which sacrifices were made in his honour, is Ming Taizu.
More about: Hongwu EmperorDefinition
Timeline
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1328Zhu Yuanzhang, the future founder of the Ming Dynasty, the Hongwu Emperor, is born.
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1355Zhu Yuanzhang, the future Ming Hongwu Emperor, takes over the leadership of the rebel Red Turbans Movement.
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1356Zhu Yuanzhang, leader of the rebel Red Turbans Movement and future Ming Hongwu Emperor, takes control of Nanjing.
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1360Zhu Yuanzhang, future Ming Hongwu Emperor, defeats the rival rebel leader Chen Youliang at the battle of Poyang Lake.
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1367Zhu Yuanzhang, future Ming Hongwu Emperor, defeats the rival rebel leader Zhang Shicheng.
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1368 - 1398Reign of the Hongwu Emperor, founder of the Ming Dynasty in China.
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1368 - 1644Reign of the Ming Dynasty in China.
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23 Jan 1368Zhu Yuanzhang, founder of the Ming Dynasty, declares himself Emperor of China, taking the reign name Hongwu.
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1370Civil service entrance examinations are reintroduced in China.
