Introduction

The Qing, the last dynasty of the Chinese imperium, ruled for over 260 years (1644-1911). At the end of the 19th century it occupied a territory of roughly 13 million square kilometres and claimed sovereignty over more than 400 million people. One of the questions this book examines is how – on a sheer logistical level – was a complex empire of this size governed before the age of telegrams, telephones, and internet? Instead of looking to the Qing emperor, often perceived as an autocratic Son of Heaven who exercised absolute power over his subjects, our inquiry begins with the palace compound itself, in the heart of the capital city, Beijing.