Encyclopedia/3. History, Societies & Civilizations/01. East Asian Civilizations/01. Chinese Dynasties • Curated by Admin Timeline.sg
The Song Dynasty (960–1279 CE) was a transformative Chinese imperial period marked by economic revolution, Neo-Confucian philosophy, technological innovation, and eventual Mongol conquest.
Chronological Storyline (32 Milestones)
Feb 3, 960 CE
Zhao Kuangyin's (赵匡胤) Chenqiao (陈桥) Mutiny
Zhao Kuangyin (赵匡胤, Zhào Kuāngyìn) stages a military coup at Chenqiao, founding the Song Dynasty and reunifying much of China after the fragmented Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period. #politics #war #founding
This depicts Song Taizu (宋太祖, 927-976, reigned 960-976), personal name Zhao Kuangyin (趙匡胤), the first emperor of the Song dynasty. This painting has neither the painter's seal nor signature. However, a small label had been attached to a blank area at the arm rest with the three characters "Song Taizu" (宋太祖). It probably was added when the scroll was remounted in the Qing dynasty (1644-1911). By AnonymousUnknown author - Digitized by NPM; image is directly from Shuge, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=3969512
963 CE
Releasing Military Power (释兵权) with a Cup of Wine (杯酒)
Emperor Taizu (宋太祖, Sòng Tàizǔ) diplomatically strips military commanders of power through a famous banquet, centralizing authority and preventing warlordism. #governance #politics
976 CE
Emperor Taizong of Song's (宋太宗) Accession to the Throne (即位)
Zhao Kuangyi (赵光义, Zhào Guāngyì), brother of Taizu, becomes Emperor Taizong (宋太宗, Sòng Tàizōng), continuing campaigns to reunify China including conquest of Northern Han. #politics #war
Contemporary painting of Emperor Taizong of the Song dynasty (太宗). Hanging scroll, color on silk. Size 74.5 x 47.4 cm (height x width). Painting is located in the National Palace Museum, Taipei. (See: Page 100 of 故宮圖像選萃 (Gu gong tu xiang xuan cui) Masterpieces of Chinese Portrait Painting in the National Palace Museum. Taipei: National Palace Museum. 1971.) By Unknown artist - Digitized by NPM; image is directly from Shuge, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=7109990
1004 CE
Treaty (盟) of Chanyuan (澶渊)
The Chanyuan Treaty (澶渊之盟, Chányuān Zhī Méng) establishes peace with the Liao Dynasty, requiring Song tribute but enabling century-long stability and commercial prosperity. #diplomacy #foreign-relations
Map of the two dynasties, Liao Dynasty in Green, Song in Orange. By 玖巧仔 - This file was derived from: 北宋疆域图（简）.png, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=75627122
1038 CE
Founding of the State (建国) of Western Xia (西夏)
Li Yuanhao (李元昊, Lǐ Yuánhào) declares Western Xia (西夏, Xīxià) independence, creating a triangular power struggle with Song and Liao that shapes northern frontier politics. #war #politics
Maps of Song, Liao, and Xi Xia in 1111 Add en labels By Douglasfrankfort - zh:File:Songliaoxixia.png, CC BY 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=10631072
1041 CE
Qingli (庆历) New Policies / Reforms (新政)
Fan Zhongyan (范仲淹, Fàn Zhòngyān) launches the Qingli Reforms (庆历新政, Qìnglì Xīnzhèng), an ambitious but short-lived bureaucratic and educational reform program. #governance #reform
A portrait of Fan Zhongyan from Sancai Tuhui (1609) By Wang Qi (王圻) and Wang Siyi (王思義) (Life time: Wang Qi died in 1612, Wang Siyi is his son and highly unlikely to have lived until 1926.) - Original publication: Sancai Tuhui Immediate source: Sancai Tuhui, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=30226842
1044 CE
Song-Xia (宋夏) Peace Treaty (和议)
Song recognizes Western Xia in treaty ending hostilities, paying annual tribute of silk, silver, and tea while reopening border markets for mutual trade. #diplomacy #commerce
1069 CE
Wang Anshi's (王安石) Reforms (变法)
Wang Anshi (王安石, Wáng Ānshí) implements sweeping New Policies (新法, Xīnfǎ): state loans, land tax reforms, price stabilization, and military reorganization amid fierce court opposition. #reform #governance #economy
Wang Anshi By Unknown author - 《中国历代人物图库》，清宫旧藏。, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=179085
1088 CE
Su Song's (苏颂) Water-Powered Astronomical Clock Tower (水运仪象台)
Su Song (苏颂, Sū Sòng) completes his astronomical clock tower (水运仪象台, Shuǐyùn Yíxiàngtái) in Kaifeng, featuring an early escapement mechanism and celestial globe. #science #technology #astronomy
File:Clock_Tower_from_Su_Song's_Book.JPG with smear removed by mixing channels: Red: 0.2 green + blue Green: 0.4 green + 0.65 blue Blue: blue as red is badly smeared, green is slightly smeared but has least noise, and blue is not smeared but has most noise. By Su Song - File:Clock_Tower_from_Su_Song's_Book.JPG, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=41581041
1100 CE
Emperor Huizong of Song's (宋徽宗) Accession to the Throne (即位)
Emperor Huizong (宋徽宗, Sòng Huīzōng), an accomplished artist and calligrapher, ascends the throne; his reign becomes synonymous with aesthetic refinement and political catastrophe. #art #politics #culture
宋徽宗即位 (Sòng Huīzōng Jíwèi) By Unknown author - 宋徽宗坐像 軸. National Palace Museum Open Data. Taipei: National Palace Museum., Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=81745323
1115 CE
Establishment (建立) of the Jin Dynasty (金朝)
The Jurchen Wanyan Aguda (完颜阿骨打, Wányán Āgǔdǎ) founds the Jin Dynasty (金朝, Jīn Cháo) in Manchuria, soon challenging Liao and Song dominance in northern China. #war #politics
Jin Dynasty C.E.1141 (H.E.11,141) By Ian Kiu - Own work using: File:Sung Dynasty 1141.png, itself based on a map in Albert Herrmann (1935). History and Commercial Atlas of China. Harvard University Press., CC BY 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=83725994
1119 CE
Song Jiang's (宋江) Uprising (起义)
Song Jiang (宋江, Sòng Jiāng) leads a bandit uprising against corrupt officials, later romanticized in the classic novel Water Margin (水浒传, Shuǐhǔ Zhuàn). #rebellion #literature
Map showing major rebellions during Emperor Huizong's reign of Northern Song dynasty, including Song Jiang and Fang La's uprisings. By SY - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=63400492
1120 CE
Fang La's (方腊) Uprising (起义)
Fang La (方腊, Fāng Là) leads a major peasant rebellion in southeastern China against crushing taxes and corvée labor, severely weakening Song military resources. #rebellion #disaster
1125 CE
Jin destroys (灭) Liao (辽)
Jin Dynasty destroys Liao; turning south, the Jurchen immediately threaten Song, exposing the folly of Huizong's diplomatic miscalculations. #war #foreign-relations
Map of circuits in Khitan Liao Dynasty in 1111 AD By SY - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=61092601
Jun 1, 1127 CE
Establishment (建立) of the Southern Song (南宋)
Zhao Gou (赵构, Zhào Gōu) proclaims himself Emperor Gaozong (宋高宗, Sòng Gāozōng), establishing the Southern Song (南宋, Nánsòng) with capital at Lin'an (临安, Lín'ān, modern Hangzhou). #politics #founding
Sitting portrait of Emperor Gaozong By anonymous - National Palace Museum, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=101371190
1127 CE
Jingkang (靖康) Incident / Crisis (之变)
The Jingkang Incident (靖康之变, Jìngkāng Zhī Biàn): Jin captures Kaifeng, Emperor Huizong and Qinzong (钦宗, Qīnzōng) are taken prisoner, ending the Northern Song. #war #disaster #politics
1132 CE
Liu Qi's (刘锜) Great Victory (大捷) at Shunchang (顺昌)
General Liu Yu (刘锜, Liú Yì) defeats Jin forces at Shunchang (顺昌, Shùnchāng), demonstrating Song capacity to resist northern invasion through disciplined infantry tactics. #war #defence
1138 CE
Initial Completion (初成) of the Song-Jin (宋金) Peace Treaty (和议)
The Shaoxing Treaty (绍兴和议, Shàoxīng Héyì) establishes formal peace with Jin, ceding northern territories and requiring annual tribute in exchange for southern stability. #diplomacy #foreign-relations
1140 CE
Great Victory (大捷) at Yancheng (郾城)
Yue Fei (岳飞, Yuè Fēi) wins decisive victories against Jin at Yancheng (郾城, Yǎnchéng), but is recalled and later executed on false charges of treason. #war #tragedy #defence
明人《岳飞像》轴 图绘岳飞头戴四带巾，身穿蟒袍，腰系玉带，手捧书册端坐于交椅上。人物刻画较少拘滞，略带写意趣味。大臣穿蟒袍，是明代才有的现象，可见此像为画家根据明代制度创稿。 By Unknown author - https://gugongzhanlan.dpm.org.cn/artListShare/135 https://ggzlimg.dpm.org.cn/app/gugong/2021/0430/PqZFrbOBOFx9dsoHbtmQXHwppiweeUp4fyBNGxig.jpg, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=112704983
1142 CE
Yue Fei's (岳飞) Murder / Assassination (遇害)
Yue Fei (岳飞, Yuè Fēi) is poisoned in prison after Gaozong and Chancellor Qin Hui (秦桧, Qín Huì) accept humiliating peace terms with Jin, becoming a national martyr. #tragedy #politics
1161 CE
Battle (之战) of Caishi (采石)
Song naval forces under Yu Yunwen (虞允文, Yú Yǔnwén) defeat Jin Emperor Hailing's invasion fleet at Caishi (采石, Cǎishí) on the Yangtze River. #war #naval #defence
Song Dynasty Rivership with Xuanfeng Traction Catapult from the Wujing Zongyao, the 1510 edition of the Ming Dynasty. The photographs are part of my book. You're welcome to use them on Wikipedia so long as you list my book "Chinese Siege Warfare: Mechanical Artillery & Siege Weapons of Antiquity" by Liang Jieming (ISBN 981-05-5380-3) as the source. I hope that helps. Cheers, Leong Kit Meng (Liang Jieming) <liang_jieming@history-forum.com> By Zeng Gongliang, uploaded by Liang Jieming - Wujing Zongyao ("Chinese Siege Warfare: Mechanical Artillery & Siege Weapons of Antiquity" by Liang Jieming, ISBN 981-05-5380-3), Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=1047500
1163 CE
Longxing (隆兴) Peace Treaty (和议)
The Longxing Treaty (隆兴和议, Lóngxīng Héyì) reduces Song tribute to Jin and establishes equal diplomatic status, a modest diplomatic improvement under Emperor Xiaozong. #diplomacy #foreign-relations
Emperor Xiaozong of Song, Emperor of China By Unknown author - Digitized by NPM; image is directly from Shuge, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=2435034
1178 CE
Zhou Qufei's (周去非) Lingwai Daida (岭外代答)
Zhou Qufei (周去非, Zhōu Qùfēi) publishes Lingwai Daida (岭外代答, Lǐngwài Dàidá), a comprehensive ethnographic and geographic account of Southeast Asian maritime trade routes. #commerce #geography #exploration
Introduction to the 12th century work Lingwai Daida written by Zhou Qufei, included in the 18th century work Siku Quanshu By Zhou Qufei - http://ctext.org/library.pl?if=gb&res=115, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=56851341
1190 CE
Zhu Xi's (朱熹) Synthesis (集大成) of Neo-Confucianism (理学)
Zhu Xi (朱熹, Zhū Xī) synthesizes Neo-Confucianism (理学, Lǐxué), establishing the Four Books (四书, Sìshū) as canonical and profoundly shaping East Asian thought for centuries. #philosophy #education #culture
《社会历史博物馆》版的朱熹（1130-1200）画图。这幅画是否朱熹，很有争议。可参考：朱杰人《朱子伪像考》 https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s?__biz=MjM5Mzc0Njk1MA==&mid=2651154474&idx=4&sn=0ca41b6df2bf6eceb910e25d54cf51c0&chksm=bd6391438a141855b28f1ebb79fc5a12cdd6f5dc8649d3a5663c2d20afc740ee5a0054838f20&scene=27 By Unknown author - scan from 《社会历史博物馆》 ISBN 7-5347-1397-8, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=93319
1206 CE
Genghis Khan's (成吉思汗) Unification (统一) of Mongolia (蒙古)
Temujin (铁木真, Tiěmùzhēn) becomes Genghis Khan (成吉思汗, Chéngjísīhàn), unifying Mongol tribes; his eventual successors will destroy both Jin and Song dynasties. #war #empire #foreign-relations
Taizu, better known as Genghis Khan. By Unknown author - Digitized by National Palace Museum; file is directly from Shuge, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=4126191
1210 CE
Death (逝世) of Lu You (陆游)
Lu You (陆游, Lù Yóu), prolific poet of patriotic fervor and daily life, dies leaving over 9,000 poems including the famous declaration of national recovery hopes. #literature #poetry #culture
陸游 肖像 By UnknownUnknown ,清人 繪 - http://diglweb.zjlib.cn:8081/zjtsg/mingren/cypicxl.jsp?searchword=%C3%FB%C8%CB%B1%E0%BA%C5%3D5595&channelid=91693&record=10, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=71137353
1234 CE
Song-Mongol (宋蒙) Alliance to Destroy (灭) Jin (金)
Song allies with Mongols to destroy Jin Dynasty, but the victory proves pyrrhic as Mongol forces immediately turn against Song territories. #war #foreign-relations #politics
Battle between Mongols & Chinese (1211). Jami' al-tawarikh, Rashid al-Din. By Sayf al-Vâhidî. Hérât. Afghanistan - Bibliothèque nationale de France. Département des Manuscrits. Division orientale. Supplément persan 1113, fol. 49, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=10010647
1259 CE
Möngke Khan's (蒙哥汗) Death in Action (战死) at Diaoyucheng (钓鱼城)
Möngke Khan (蒙哥汗, Ménggē Hán) dies during siege of Diaoyucheng (钓鱼城, Diàoyúchéng), causing Mongol succession crisis that temporarily relieves Song pressure. #war #defence
The cliffy road up to the front gate of Fishing Town,Hechuan,Chongqing,China.The photo was taken by Mr Chen Hualin on January 30, 2006. By Harveychl at English Wikipedia - Transferred from en.wikipedia to Commons by nopira., Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=4665794
1260 CE
Kublai Khan (忽必烈) Claims the Title of Khan (称汗)
Kublai Khan (忽必烈, Hūbìliè) claims Mongol leadership, establishing the Yuan Dynasty (元朝, Yuán Cháo) and shifting focus toward complete conquest of Song China. #politics #empire #foreign-relations
Post-mortem portrait of Kublai Khan; made to make him appear about 30 years younger. By Araniko - This image has been extracted from another file, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=4126240
1271 CE
Establishment (建立) of the Yuan Dynasty (元朝)
Kublai Khan formally proclaims the Yuan Dynasty (元朝, Yuán Cháo), claiming Mandate of Heaven and intensifying military campaigns against remaining Song resistance. #politics #empire
Based on Encyclopedia of Mongolia and the Mongol Empire (2004) by Christopher P. Atwood By Cattette - Own work, CC BY 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=145249990
1276 CE
Fall (陷落) of Lin'an (临安)
Mongol forces capture Lin'an (临安, Lín'ān); Emperor Gongzong (恭宗, Gōngzōng) surrenders, but loyalist resistance continues under the boy emperors Duanzong and Bing. #war #disaster #politics
Portrait of Emperor Song Gongdi. By Unknown author - 趙士松, ed. (15 August 1937) 趙氏族譜, Hong Kong: 趙揚名阁石印局 OCLC: 866142110. 趙士松字锡年编《趙氏族譜 (商王二十九传三江房锡年参订)》 http://photo.blog.sina.com.cn/category/u/1765979910/s/248112/page1., Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=2570262
Mar 1, 1279 CE
Naval Battle (海战) of Yashan (崖山)
The naval Battle of Yashan (崖山海战, Yáshān Hǎizhàn): final Song defeat; Chancellor Lu Xiufu (陆秀夫, Lù Xiùfū) carries the boy Emperor Bing (帝昺, Dì Bǐng) to drowning death, ending the dynasty. #war #tragedy #disaster
Songyuan Yamen Sea Battle Cultural Tourism Zone, Xinhui District, Jiangmen City By (Long night without wind) 长夜无风 - Own work, CC BY 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=4324991
