History of Changsha
Changsha (capital of
Prehistory
The history of Changsha dates back to the primitive times. As early as the
Xia-Shang-Zhou Period
In the Xia-Shang-Zhou Period, Changsha came under the jurisdiction of an ancient kingdom, Sanmiao (三苗).
In the Shang dynasty (about 1,600 B.C.-1046 B.C.), Changsha was under the jurisdiction of Yangyue (扬越), which was a branch of Baiyue tribe (百越). The aboriginal culture has reached a certain level here. The most well-known human habitation in Changsha area was at Huangcai Town, where evidence was found of Tanheli site dated back to Shang dynasty (1159 B.C.-1046 B.C.). In the 20th century, the Four-goat Square Zun and Dahe Renmianwen Square Ding were discovered at Tanheli site in Huangcai Town of Ningxiang. The artifacts date to the late Shang dynasty (11th-10th century B.C.) and are preserved in the National Museum of China.[citation needed]
Warring States Period
In the
Han dynasty
In the 5th year (202 B.C.) of
Wei, Jin, Southern and Northern dynasties
In the
Sui and Tang dynasties
In the Sui and Tang dynasties (581-907), the wall of Changsha extended eastward to Xiaowu Gate (小吴门), Liuyang Gate (浏阳门), southward to Nanmenkou (南门口), westward to the Daxi and Xiaoxi Gates (大西门、小西门), and northward to the south of Sima Bridge (司马桥), Dengzi Bridge (戥子桥) and Huoyuan Bridge (活元桥).
In the year of 589, Sui Empire (581-618) unified China and changed Liuxiang County to Changsha County, and took Tanzhou as the place of local government.
In the 3rd year of Daye Period, Sui changed Tanzhou to Changsha Prefecture (长沙郡).
In the Tang dynasty (618-907), Changsha was set as Tanzhou and later as Changsha Prefecture.
In the middle Tang dynasty, the economy in Changsha became increasingly prosperous, Liuyang saw a rise of production of fireworks, and Changsha Tongguan Kiln (铜官窑) invented underglaze painted porcelain.[6] At the time, the Buddhism flourished, Miyin Temple was established in Ningxiang and Shishuang Temple was built in Liuyang.
Since the
Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms
In the
In the 2nd year of Guangshun Period in the
Song dynasty
In the Song dynasty (960-1279), Changsha's economy and culture ascended to a new level, and the education was extremely prosperous.
In February of the 1st year of Qiande (963), Tanzhou was incorporated into the territory of
In the 3rd year of Zhidao Period (997), the whole country was divided into 15 zones, and Tanzhou was the seat of the government for South Jing-Hu Zone (荆湖南路).
In the 1st year of Yuanfu (1098), Shanhua County was set up, and separated from Changsha County and both counties were governed independently under the jurisdiction of the same city.
In the 9th year of Kaibao Period (976), chief of Tanzhou, Zhu Dong (朱洞), founded the Yuelu Academy at the foot of Yuelu Mountain, and made it among the "four best academies" of the country.[8]
In the 3rd year of Qiandao Period, Zhu Xi came to Changsha and worked for Yuelu Academy together with Zhang Shi.
In the 2nd year of Shaoxing Period, Li Gang, anfushi of Huan (湖南安抚使), proposed the emperor to demolish the city wallby one third, relocated the north city wall to the area around today's Xiangchun Road (湘春路).
Yuan dynasty
In the 13th year (1276) of Zhiyuan Period of the Yuan dynasty (1271-1368), Changsha was incorporated into the territory of Yuan Empire. In the following year, the Tanzhou province was set up. In the 18th year (1281) of Zhiyuan Period, Tanzhou province was renamed Tanzhoulu (潭州路). In the 2nd year (1329) of Tianli Period, Tanzhoulu was changed as Tianlinlu (天临路). In the 24th year (1364) of Zhizheng Period, Xu Da liberated Changsha, renamed it Tanzhou Prefecture (潭州府).
Ming dynasty
During the
In the 14th year of Chenghua Period (1478), Prince Ji, also known as Zhu Jianjun (朱见浚), became the seignior of Changsha and founded his palace.
In the Wanli Period (1573-1620), Tang Yuan (唐源), the magistrate of Shanhua County, dug and dredged the South Lake Stream (南湖港河).
Qing dynasty
In the 4th year of Shunzhi Period (1647) of Qing dynasty (1644-1911), Gao Shijun (高士浚) led his army to conquer Changsha and Changsha was then incorporated into the territory of Qing Empire. Changsha Prefecture was set up, affiliated to Hu-Guang Province and still possessed 12 counties. Prince Ji's palace was pulled down and the bricks and stones were used to consolidate the city wall and moat.
In the 3rd year of Kangxi Period (1664), Pianyuan Xunfu (偏沅巡抚, provincial governor) moved to Changsha. Hu-Guang Province (湖广行省) was divided into two provinces. Changsha came under the jurisdiction of Hunan province.
During the Yongzheng Period (1723-1736), Changsha extended from east to west and eight canals were built. Since they were approved by the Yongzheng Emperor personally, they were called “Imperial canals”. In the 2nd year of Yongzheng Period (1724), the title of Pianyuan Xunfu was renamed as Hunan Xunfu (湖南巡抚).
In around the 24th year of Guangxu Period (1898), the earliest industry zone came into being outside the south gate of Changsha. In around the 30th year of Guangxu Period (1904), Changsha was opened as a commercial port and the areas along the river could be rented by ferry operators. In the 31st year of Guangxu Period (1905), Changsha-Zhuzhou section of Yuehan Railway was completed. Changsha Railway Station was established outside the Xiaowu Gate (now Furong Square) of Changsha city wall.
Republic of China
In April 1912, Changsha and Shanhua merged into Changsha County and Changsha Prefecture was revoked. Changsha County came under the direct jurisdiction of provincial government.
In 1913, Huang Xing proposed the urban planning concept for Changsha in the address that he delivered in the joint welcome meeting held by ten groups of Hunan province.
In 1921, Changsha government prepared “Changsha Municipal Planning”, planned the urban area extended southward to Chigangchong (赤岗冲) and Nanhugang (南湖港) and northward to Yazipu (鸭子铺) along the Liuyang River to the estuary of the Xiangjiang River.
In 1922, Changsha was selected as the capital of Hunan.
In 1924, the ancient city wall of Changsha was demolished, only Tianxin Pavilion section and the ancient pavilion were reserved.
From 1924 to 1932, Changsha government decided to build the riverside road.
In 1929, the first bituminous road was built with the name of “Zhongshan Road” (中山路), named after Sun Yat-sen.
In 1932, He Yuanwen (何元文), the first mayor of Changsha, presided over the preparation of the “Plan of Changsha New Urban Area”, and Yuanjialing (袁家岭) was planned as the central part of the urban area.
In 1933, Changsha was officially set as a city and become the capital of Hunan province.
In 1936, the Changsha section of Guangzhou-Wuchang Railway (粤汉铁路长沙段) was completely open to traffic.
In November 1938, the "Wenxi Fire" broke out. Most of the scenic spots and historical sites as well as the buildings inside the city were destroyed.[9]
In 1941, the Changsha government prepared the “Planning for Changsha New Urban Area”, and planned that its population would increase to 1 million and the urban land would reach 119 square kilometers in 20 years.
People's Republic of China
On August 5, 1949, Changsha was liberated peacefully and became the capital of Hunan province.
As of 2017, Changsha possesses 6 districts (Furong, Tianxin, Yuelu, Yuhua, Kaifu and Wangcheng) and 3 counties/cities (Changsha County, Ningxiang and Liuyang).
References
- ISBN 9787548301851.
- ISBN 9787509766620.
- ^ Xinhua News (2016-01-12). 湖南6个城市进入全国GDP百强 长沙排名第13位. Tencent (in Chinese).
- ^ 7000年前长沙先民已开始种稻 大塘遗址见证远古文明. Changsha.com (in Chinese). 2013-08-24.
- ^ 长沙历史大事件. Changsha.com (in Chinese). 2016-11-04.
- ISBN 9787548042709.
- ^ 长沙,中国史上唯一经历三千年历史城址不变的城市. Changsha.com (in Chinese). 2015-07-28.
- ^ 长沙历史文化之最. Huaxia.com (in Chinese). 2015-11-24.
- ISBN 9787100070805.
Further reading
- Lv Sugao; Wang Wenqing (2008). 《长沙府志》 [Topography of Changsha Prefecture] (in Chinese). Changsha: Yuelu Academy. ISBN 9787807611127.