The Forbidden City: The medieval centre of China's power and political machinations

China's Forbidden City first began its life in the early 1400s, during the rule of the Yongle Emperor, the third leader of the Ming Dynasty.  

Before this point, the Ming Dynasty's capital was Nanjing (in Chinese, Zijincheng). 

The Yongle Emperor decided to move the capital to Beijing instead in order to protect against Mongol attacks and keep his control over the north of his kingdom. 

However, Beijing lacked a proper imperial residence. So, the Forbiddne Palace officialy began construction in 1406. 

By the time it was finished in 1420, it had involved more than a million skilled builders and craftsmen. 

It would be China's political centre for almost five centuries, during which time it was the emperor's palace for both the Ming (1368–1644) and the Qing (1644–1912) dynasties. 

It was called the 'Forbidden City' because entry was limited to only the emperor, his close family, their personal staff, palace workers, and the top officials. 

In total, it covers nearly 180 acres and includes about 980 buildings with around 8,704 rooms.

Around these is a 10-metre-high wall and a 52-metre-wide moat to help protect the whole complex. 

It is aligned on a north–south line according to Feng Shui rules, and split into two main parts: the Outer Court and the Inner Court. 

On the southern side, the Outer Court has important buildings like the Hall of Supreme Harmony, the Hall of Central Harmony, and the Hall of Preserving Harmony. 

These hosted formal events such as coronations, official ceremonies, and imperial weddings. 

Moving north, the Inner Court was where the emperor and his family lived. It contains the Palace of Heavenly Purity, the Hall of Union, and the Palace of Earthly Tranquility. 

These private areas were where the emperor carried out daily government tasks and where the family officially lived. 

Importantly, every single design element in the Forbidden City has meaning. For example, the yellow roof tiles are the sacred colour of the emperor, who was believed to be the "Son of Heaven." 

Also, the Hall of Supreme Harmony, which was the largest wooden building in China, has ten dragon figures, which were the official symbols of imperial power. 

The Forbidden City was home to the Chinese emperor and his court. If you were to visit it during the medieval period, here are the people you could have met: 

The Emperor: 

The emperor was the highest ruler and the main authority in government. He made important decisions about state affairs. Also, his role was both political and formal with strict court rules. 

The Empress: 

The empress was the emperor’s main wife and the top woman in the Forbidden City. She managed the imperial harem and could influence the emperor. Even so, her direct political power was usually limited. 

Concubines: 

The emperor’s concubines had different ranks. Their main job was to bear the emperor’s children. At the same time, they could have influence in the palace and their children could become heirs. 

The Heir Apparent and Princes: 

The emperor’s sons were possible successors. The future ruler received education and training once he was named heir apparent. 

Imperial Eunuchs: 

Eunuchs were men who had been castrated and worked in the daily running of the Forbidden City. Over time they gained power and took part in court politics. In that role, they served as attendants and as administrators in palace affairs. 

Mandarins: 

High-ranking officials called mandarins came to the Forbidden City for meetings with the emperor. They led the military, handled civil government work, and dealt with foreign relations. 

Maids and Servants: 

Many maids and servants lived in the Forbidden City. They looked after daily needs like cleaning, cooking, laundry, and other household tasks. 

Palace Scholars and Artists: 

Scholars, artists, and craftsmen lived in the Forbidden City. They created literature, art, and music. Some taught the imperial family. 

The emperor conducted most of his large formal ceremonies in the Hall of Supreme Harmony, during which he would appoint ministers, issue imperial edicts, or celebrate major religious festivals. 

All of these helped the emperor show the extent of his authority over his people and divine right to rule. 

In the Inner Court, the emperor and his family made key political decisions. It is here that they met with close advisers to discuss state matters and plan responses to domestic and foreign issues. 

When the orders were issued, the eunuchs were entrusted with carrying them out.

As a result, they started to gradually gain more political power and, at some points, directly influenced imperial decisions. 

The Forbidden City reenforced the strict social hierarchies of Chinese society. This is most obviously seen in those who lived and worked within the city, as they were visibly set apart from the rest of the population.

However, the common people had a deep interest in what mysterious things took place behind the palace walls.

They always heard about the high-level rituals and ceremonies that took place within its walls, as well as the elite social events each night. 

As a result, the etiquette and customs of those who had access to the emperor were copied by those who were envious of their privileged life. 

Soon, the imperial court's preferences in fashion, art, music, and cuisine were the main topic of discussion among those who wanted to be trendsetters, and they helped to spread them throughout the rest of society. 

During the Manchu invasion in 1644, rebel leader Li Zicheng overthrew the Ming Dynasty and briefly occupied the Forbidden City.

However, he fled as Manchu forces took back control under the leadership of the Shunzhi Emperor and established the new Qing Dynasty. 

The new rulers recognised the symbolic importance of the complex and retained it as their imperial palace. 

It wasn’t until the Xinhai Revolution of 1911, which led to the abdication of Emperor Puyi in 1912, that the end of over two millennia of imperial rule arrived. While Puyi was allowed to continue living in the Forbidden City, he was forced to leave in 1924. 

However, the most severe challenge to the Forbidden City came during the Second Sino-Japanese War (1937-1945). 

As Japanese forces advanced on Beijing, over 13,000 crates of valuable artefacts housed within the city were evacuated to prevent enemy forces from seizing them. 

They returned to the Forbidden City only after the establishment of the People's Republic of China in 1949. 

In the mid-20th century, when the Communist Revolution swept through China, the Forbidden City was at odds with the new regime's belief in social equality. 

Nevertheless, the new government recognised the historical and cultural significance of the complex and it was repurposed as the Palace Museum.

This preserved its impressive buildings and large collections for posterity.