Hongwu Biography and Timeline

Birth of Hongwu

Hongwu is born as Zhu Yuanzhang during the Yuan dynasty

Role range: 1368-1398

Birth of Hongwu

Birth of Hongwu, as Zhu Yuanzhang, son of a labourer

Role range: 1368-1398

Education

Seeks refuge in a Buddhist temple where he learns to read & write

Role range: 1368-1398

Rebellion of Hongwu

Joins the Read Turbans, one of the major groups contesting Mongol rule

Rebellion of Hongwu

Joins the Read Turbans, one of the major groups contesting Mongol rule

Role range: 1368-1398

Rebellion of Hongwu

Leads the Red Turbans in Nanjing

Role range: 1368-1398

Rebellion of Hongwu

Leads the Red Turbans in Nanjing

Capture of Kiangsi

Leads the Kuo Tzu-Hsing rebels who capture the province of Kiangsi

Hongwu Reign Begins

Hongwu begins ruling as the first emperor of the Ming dynasty

Role range: 1368-1398

Ming Dynasty Founded

Zhu Yuanzhang proclaims the Ming dynasty and takes the Hongwu reign title

Role range: 1368-1398

Capital at Nanjing

Hongwu establishes Nanjing as the first Ming capital

Role range: 1368-1398

Northern Expedition

Hongwu sends armies north to destroy Yuan control of China

Role range: 1368-1370 – 1368-1398

Dadu Renamed Beiping

The former Yuan capital is renamed Beiping after Ming occupation

Role range: 1368-1398

Northern Frontier Planned

Hongwu begins turning the former Yuan capital region into a northern defence zone

Role range: 1368-1398

Yuan Palaces Destroyed

Ming forces destroy Yuan palace buildings after taking Dadu

Role range: 1368-1398

Military Households Organized

The early Ming state organizes hereditary military households for defence

Role range: 1368-1398

Ming Law Drafting

Hongwu begins shaping the legal and administrative order of the new dynasty

Role range: 1368-1398

Ming Dynasty Declaration

Declares the foundation of the Ming Dynasty at Nanjing

Role range: 1368-1398

Succession

Succeeds as Emperor of China, Hongwu means "Vast Military Power"

Role range: 1368-1398

Capture of Beijing

Captures Peking & ends the Yuan Dynasty

Capture of Shangdu

Captures Shangdu, the Mongol Summer capital

Invasion of China

Drives the Mongols further north

Role range: 1368-1398

Capture of Sichuan

Captures Sichuan from the Mongols

Capture of Szechuan

Captures Szechuan

Death of Hongwu

Death of Empress Ma

Role range: 1368-1398

Capture of Gansu

Captures Gansu from the Mongols

Capture of Yunnan

The last Chinese province to be re-conquered from the Mongols

Rule of China

China is united under Hongwu

Role range: 1368-1398

Battle of Kerulen

The Chinese drive the Mongols from their capital of Karakorum

Burial

Hongwus tomb is located at Xiaoling, Nanjing, Jiangsu

Role range: 1368-1398

Death of Hongwu

Death of Hongwu

Role range: 1368-1398