The Sichuan frontier and Tibet : imperial strategy in the early Qing / Yingcong Dai.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Dai, Yingcong.

Series:

China Program book.

A China program book

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Imperialism--History.

Imperialism.

Sichuan Sheng (China)--History.

Sichuan Sheng (China).

Tibet Autonomous Region (China)--History.

Tibet Autonomous Region (China).

China--History--Qing dynasty, 1644-1912.

China.

Physical Description:

xi, 352 p. : maps.

Edition:

1st ed.

Place of Publication:

Seattle : University of Washington Press, c2009.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

During China's last dynasty, the Qing (1644-1911), the empire's remote, bleak, and politically insignificant Southwest rose to become a strategically vital area. This study of the imperial government's handling of the southwestern frontier illuminates issues of considerable importance in Chinese history and foreign relations: Sichuan's rise as a key strategic area in relation to the complicated struggle between the Zunghar Mongols and China over Tibet, Sichuan's neighbor to the west, and consequent developments in governance and taxation of the area. Through analysis of government documents, gazetteers, and private accounts, Yingcong Dai explores the intersections of political and social history, arguing that imperial strategy toward the southwestern frontier was pivotal in changing Sichuan's socioeconomic landscape. Government policies resulted in light taxation, immigration into Sichuan, and a military market for local products, thus altering Sichuan but ironically contributing toward the eventual demise of the Qing. Dai's detailed, objective analysis of China's historical relationship with Tibet will be useful for readers seeking to understand debates concerning Tibet's sovereignty, Tibetan theocratic government, and the political dimension of the system of incarnate Tibetan lamas (of which the Dalai Lama is one).

Contents:

Reign dates of the Qing dynasty, 1636-1911

Introduction

A humble beginning, 1640-1696

A strategic turn from the Steppe to Tibet, 1696-1701

The formative era, 1701-1722

Realignment in the Yongzheng period, 1723-1735

The shaping of independence in the Qianlong period, 1736-1795

The military presence in society and economy

The benefit and cost of imperial strategy.

Notes:

Bibliographic Level Mode of Issuance: Monograph

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Description based on print version record and CIP data provided by publisher; resource not viewed.

ISBN:

9780295800707

0295800704

OCLC:

701103546