SECTION 1: LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENT - Unit 4 : History and Culture

 QIN DYNASTY

NOTES

BCE = Before the Common Era (CE) - Gregorian (gri’go-ree-un) Calendar 

Qin = Ch’in

Zhou = Chou

• Feudalism: a socio-political system that existed in Europe during the Middle Ages in which people worked and fought for the nobles who gave them protection and the use of land in return 
• Legalism: an ancient Chinese philosophical belief that human beings are more inclined to do the wrong than the right because they are motivated entirely by self-interest. It was developed by the philosopher Han Feizi (c. 280-233 BCE). 
• Confucianism: the system of ethics, education, and statesmanship taught by the Chinese philosopher Confucius (551–479 BCE) and his disciples, stressing love for humanity, ancestor worship, reverence for the parents, and harmony in thought and conduct 

TEXT

The Qin Dynasty, pronounced like chin, emerged in 221 BCE. Qin Shihuang, the king of the Qin State at the time, conquered the many feudal territories. Qin Shihuang was only 38 years old when he came into power. He created the title "Emperor" for himself, and thus is known as the first emperor of China.

• While his dynasty only lasted 15 years, the shortest dynastic rule in Chinese history, the impact of the Qin Emperor on China cannot be understated. 
• Although highly controversial, Qin Dynasty policies were very influential in uniting China and maintaining power.Qin dynasty was the first imperial dynasty of China and its reign lasted from 221 to 206 BC. 
• Lasting only 15 years, it was the shortest dynasty in Chinese history. 
• Though it ruled for only a short duration, Qin dynasty made several important contributions in the development of China. 
• The most well-known accomplishment of the dynasty was the unification of China for the first time in its history in 221 BC. 
• The first Qin emperor, Qin Shi Huang, introduced many reforms including the first meritocratic administration system in China. 
• Also, there was the standardisation of the writing system, the code of law, the units of measurement and the currency. 
• Qin dynasty is renowned for its feats of engineering which include the Great Wall, the famous Terracotta Army, Dujiangyan Irrigation System and the Lingqu Canal.

QIN DYNASTY UNIFIED CHINA FOR THE FIRST TIME IN HISTORY: The period in Chinese history before the reign of Qin dynasty is referred to as the Warring States period (475 BC – 221 BC). It was dominated by the Seven Warring States, namely, Han, Zhao, Yan, Wei, Chu, Qi and Qin. 

• It took Zheng less than 10 years to unify China. He became the first emperor of a unified China and took the title of “Qin Shi Huang” or the “First Emperor of Qin”.
• King Zheng of Qin started his campaign to conquer the remaining six states in 230 BC. Han was conquered in the same year, Zhao fell in 228 BC, Yan in 226 BC, Wei in 225  BC, the powerful Chu in 223 BC and Qi in 221 BC. Thus is 221 BC, for the first time in history, China became a unified centralised state. 
• During the Zhou dynasty, China was never a unified kingdom. The Zhou government bore a strong resemblance to some of the forms of feudalism in Medieval Europe, this is why Zhou age is sometimes referred to as a feudal age.

IT HAD HUGELY INFLUENTIAL FIGURES LIKE LEGALIST SHANG YANG AND REFORMER LI SI: Shang Yang was a leading Chinese statesman of the state of Qin during the Warring States period. He reformed and promoted the political philosophy Legalism, which among other things, encouraged practical and ruthless warfare. 

• Legalism aided Qin dynasty in their unification of China. During its reign, the Qin governed with the single philosophy of Legalism and other philosophies, including Confucianism, were suppressed. 
• Though Legalism is criticised by some scholars for its flaws, it still remains influential in administration, policy and legal practice in China. 
• Li Si served as Chancellor (or Prime Minister) of the Qin dynasty from 246 BC to 208 BC. He is considered one of the most influential figures in Chinese history. 
• Li Si played a vital role in the cultural unification of China. Among other things, he standardised the code of law; governmental ordinances; the units of measurement; and the currency to the Ban Liang coin. He also relaxed taxes and strict punishments inherited from the Qin administration in their Warring States period.

THE WRITING SYSTEM OF CHINA WAS STANDARDISED: Before the Qin achieved the unification of China, local styles of characters evolved independently of one another for centuries, producing what is called the “Scripts of the Six States”. This diversity was undesirable in a unified government as it hindered communication, trade, taxation and transportation. 

• In 220 BC, Li Si, prime minister under Qin Shi Huang, systematised the written Chinese language by promoting as the imperial standard the Small Seal Script, which had already been in use in the state of Qin. 
• The Small Seal Script was itself standardised through the removal of variant forms within it. This standardised Chinese writing system; made it uniform across the whole country, and had a unification effect on the Chinese culture for thousands of years.

THE PRECURSOR TO THE GREAT WALL OF CHINA WAS BUILT DURING THE QIN ERA: Before unification, the various states had built walls to defend their own borders. Qin Shi Huang ordered the destruction of these fortifications that divided his empire. 

• However, to protect his northern border, Huang ordered the construction of an enormous defensive wall connecting the fortifications along the empire’s northern frontier. 
• The wall was built primarily to guard against the Xiongnu tribes in the north and north-west, against which the Qin were involved in constant battle. Although little of this wall remains today, it was the predecessor to the Great Wall of China. It is estimated that hundreds of thousands people died during the construction of this Qin wall.

The End of the Qin Empire 

1. In the year 210 BCE emperor Shi Huangdi died on a journey through the realm. The people were told that these trips were designed for the inspection of the empire but later evidence suggests that the emperor was looking for an elixir of immortality. In his later years, Shi Huangdi became obsessed with death and the hope of eternal life. In constant fear of assassination, it is said, he never slept in the same room of his palace two nights consecutively and he ordered the construction of his elaborate tomb (including his Terracotta Army of 8,000 warriors) early on in his reign. The cause of his death is still unknown. 
2. Li Siu (c. 280–208 BCE), the then prime minister of the recently deceased emperor, tried to hide the fact that Shi Huangdi was deceased in any possible way. He brought the emperor's body back to the capital along with carts of dead fish to mask the smell of the corpse. Along with Zhao Gao (died 208/207 BCE), Li Siu contrived to place Hu Hai on the throne. Hu Hai was the weak second son of Shi Huangdi. Due to the weakness of Hu Hai, the oppressed people of China grew bolder and soon began to revolt. 
3. Through a series of uprisings and rebel alliances, the Qin authority was overthrown in the year 206 BCE in the capital of Xianyang. The Imperial House was massacred and the Qin Dynasty was thus at an end. A complicated series of battles followed for the honour of being the successor to the Qin Dynasty which resulted in the period known as the Chu-Han Contention in which Xiang-Yu of the state of Chu fought Liu Bang of Han for supremacy. Liu Bang emerged victorious following Xiang-Yu's defeat at the Battle of Gaixia in 202 BCE. Liu Bang (247 BCE- 195 BCE) was applauded as a man of the people and, after his victory, founded the Han Dynasty. 

Legacy of the Qin Dynasty 

1. As mentioned previously, Legalism had a lasting effect on the entirety of Chinese history. The Qin Dynasty created the standard of bureaucratic government and the Legalistic policies first initiated by the Qin are still seen in China today. In addition, the dynasty left a wonder of ancient artwork: The Terracotta Army in Xi’an. This tomb reflects the character of the Chinese emperor and his unending desire to be immortal. The Terracotta Army also exemplifies what Chinese society at that time was able to produce once it had been formed as a state. The most famous legacy left by the Qin is The Great Wall of China. Although the present structure does not date from the Qin Dynasty, it was begun under Shi Huangdi, as was the Grand Canal, and the roads which today link the cities of China and the countryside. The Qin did more than just found a dynasty in China: they brought a continent together. 

WAYS WITH WORDS

A. Match the words with their meanings. (answers only)

1. - v
2. - vii
3. - i
4. - ii
5. - x
6. - iii
7. - ix
8. - viii
9. - vi
10. - iv

B. Find the following words in the text and use them in sentences of your own.

1. invasion (intrusion/the act of an army that invades for conquest or plunder) - Thousands of troops have massed along the border for an invasion.
2. disregard (ignore) - He disregarded his father’s advice and left the school.
3. paramount (supreme) - Health and safety are absolutely paramount in this area to protect cast, crew and yourself.
4. populace (the people living in a particular country or area) - They had the populace on their side. 
5. revolt (take violent action against an established government or ruler; rebel) - He was suspected of bringing about a revolt in the country. 
6. assassination (killing/an attack to ruin someone’s reputation) -  He was in constant fear of assassination and distrusted all around him./Plots were formed for his assassination.
7. serfdom (the state of being a serf or feudal labourer) -  Serfdom was abolished in Nepal on July 17, 2000.

C. Study the following homographs.

Homographs - Two words are homographs if they are spelt the same way but differ in meaning. 

D. Consult a dictionary and prepare a list of ten homographs. 

1. bass - a type of fish/low, deep voice
2. bat - a piece of sports equipment/an animal 
3. evening - smoothing out/after sunset
4. bear - to endure/animal
5. close - connected/lock
6. lean - thin/rest against
7. bow - bend forward/front of a ship
8. lead - metal/start off in front
9. skip - jump/miss out
10. fair - appearance/reasonable

F. Here is a very old limerick taken from a book A Book of Nonsense by Edward Lear. Practise it with the help of your teacher and find the stressed words.

There ONCE was a FLY on the WALL

I WONdered “why DIDn’t it FALL?”

WERE its feet STUCK?

Or does GRAvity MISS things so SMALL?

CRITICAL THINKING

B. The table shows the major political movements in Nepal after the end of the Rana Regime. Write a paragraph of each event with their key contributions in the political landscape of Nepal. (OPTIONAL)

1. Establishment of Democracy - The revolution of 1951 in Nepal, also referred to as Sat Salko Kranti, was a political movement against the direct rule by the Rana dynasty of Nepal. It marks the beginning of the political awakening and democratic movements in Nepal and resulted in immediate abolition of the institutionalised hereditary Prime Minister system in Nepal.
2. First General Election - The Nepalese general election of 1959, held from 18 February to 3 April 1959, to elect the 109 members of the first House of Representatives, the lower house of the Parliament of Nepal. It was conducted under the provisions of the Constitution of the Kingdom of Nepal, 1959, which was adopted on 12 February 1959.
3. Dismissal of Elected Government - In early 1959, Tribhuvan’s son King Mahendra issued a new constitution, and the first democratic elections for a national assembly were held. The Nepali Congress Party was victorious and their leader, Bishweshwar Prasad Koirala formed a government and served as prime minister. But by 1960, King Mahendra had changed his mind and dissolved Parliament, dismissing the first democratic government.
4. National Referendum -  A referendum on the system of government was held in Nepal on 2 May 1980. Voters were offered the choice between a non-partisan panchayat system and a multi-party system. The panchayat system received a slim majority of 54.8%.
5. People’s Movement I -  The 1990 People's Movement was a multiparty movement in Nepal that brought an end to absolute monarchy and the beginning of the constitutional monarchy. It also eliminated the Panchayat system. The movement was marked by the unity between the various political parties.
6. People’s Movement II - The 2006 Democracy Movement is a name given to the political agitations against the direct and undemocratic rule of King Gyanendra of Nepal. The movement is also sometimes referred to as Jan Andolan II.

GRAMMAR

B. Complete the texts below using the correct past forms of the verbs from the bracket.

1. The Maya established a very advanced civilisation in the jungles of the Yucatan. However, their culture had disappeared by the time Europeans first arrived in the New World.
2. When I turned on the radio yesterday, I heard a song that was popular when I was at the basic level of my study. It took me back to some old memories.
3. I was looking for a job. I applied for a job last week. Fortunately, I got it and now I am a job holder. 

C. Choose the correct words from the list and complete the sentences with the correct verb form. 

1. Newton saw an apple falling from the tree.
2. Ramesh Bikal wrote many popular stories.
3. My jacket is expensive. It cost me Rs 5000.
4. She got up early in the morning yesterday.
5. When I was small, my father taught me at home.
6. Why did you throw the cap away?

D. Put the verb into the correct form and complete the sentences.

1. I went to see the film, but I did not enjoy it.
2. I met Rojina in town in a few days ago.
3. It was very warm, so I took off my coat.
4. Though the bed was very comfortable, I did not sleep very well.
5. I started new job last week.
6. He was too busy in the office yesterday.
7. Nita invited her to the party, but she didn’t come.