Zongdu

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Territories of the viceroys or governors-general during the Qing Dynasty

Zongdu or Tsung-tu ( Chinese  總督  /  总督 , Pinyin Zǒngdū , W.-G. Tsung 3 -tu 1  - "Supreme Overseer") was a high-ranking official title in the Empire of China , which is usually translated as " Governor General " or " Viceroy " .

The name was first used during the Ming Dynasty in the 15th century. Initially, it was a military official title that could be awarded ad hoc to commanders and ministers of war and granted them temporary special powers, for example to suppress rebellions and to ward off enemies at the external borders of the Reich.

At the end of the 15th century, the Zongdu established itself on the southern border of the Empire (Liangguang) as a permanently occupied position.

Then, during the Qing Dynasty in the 17th century, much of inner China was placed under viceroys. Two or three provinces were grouped into one region, which was controlled by a Zongdu . Unlike before, the latter now had the power of disposal over military and civil administration. Usually the Zongdu was also governor ( Xunfu ) of one of the provinces subordinate to him. The governors ( Xunfu ) and governors-general / viceroys ( Zongdu ) were combined as Dufu .

There were the following eight regional viceroys (each with an indication of their subordinate provinces):

The Zongdu of Zhili was considered the most powerful and prestigious post, as it controlled the province around the capital . Contrary to the rule, only one province was subordinate to him and the viceroy of Sichuan.

The provinces of Shanxi , Shandong and Henan as well as the neighboring countries (such as Mongolia, East Turkestan, Tibet) were not subordinate to any viceroy . The Manchuria was from a banner managed -General, only 1,907 came here the short-lived Viceroyalty of the three northeastern provinces ( Fengtian , Jilin , Heilongjiang ).

In addition to the regional commanders, there were also two job-related posts with the title Zongdu :

  • The Viceroy of Rivers and Waterways ( Hedao Zongdu ) was responsible for the construction and maintenance of dams and canals, especially the Imperial Canal . His office was later divided so that there was a viceroy each for the northern, southern and eastern waterways.
  • The Viceroy for Grain Transport ( Caoyun Zongdu ) was responsible for transporting the grain tributes to the capital.

literature

  • Michael Dillon (Ed.), Rüdiger Breuer: Encyclopedia of Chinese History , Routledge, London 2016, p. 241 (entry "Governor-general")

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