It's a dry academic peace but I loved it a lot. I hope you guys will enjoy too.. Kang You Wei a Chinese scholar travels to Ottoman empire and see a lot of resemblances. Also he points out historical similarities and even claims similar bloodlines. There are also some linguistic concepts explained. Maybe native Chinese members can elaborate.
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Ottoman Empire and China located on the two sides of the Asian Continent and both were important power houses till the beginning of the 20th century. In many manners these two historical powers has many similarities they also faced same challenges during and after the West’s colonialism period. China, like the Ottoman Empire, beginning from the first quarter of the 19th century challenged the growing influence of Western Powers. And just like the Ottoman Empire in China also emerged modernization movements. These two historical powers trying to survive against the Western Powers; facing the indisputable superiority of Western Powers in military and industrial fields got into a new era of modernization of their values in both material and spiritual respectives. Kang You Wei was an important scholar, statesman and a revolutionary of his time. He had also close ties with the Qing Emperor. After the military failures and the growing influence of the West Kang was aware of a necessity of modernization in Chinese state and society. Kang was closely observing modernization movements around the globe analyzing them and writing to reports about them to the emperor. Kang, after the Coup D’état of Empress Ci Xi, was exiled and forced to live abroad for many years. In his exiled years Kang went to US, Canada, Europe and wrote many travel notes about these countries. He also came to the Ottoman Capital Istanbul in 1908 (Kang, 1995: 562).
Kang You Wei gives a great importance in to the constitutionalism (Meşrutiyet) and modernization movements. Apart from these Kang You Wei uses an interesting word for the Ottoman Empire. Kang, before 1923 which is the establishment date of the Republic of Turkey called Ottoman Empire as “Tu Jue” which was the first Turkish state (Göktürk in Turkish Language) mentioned in Chinese historical records (Dai, 2000:224). He also calls İstanbul as the “Tu Jing” which means “Capital of Turks” (Kang 1995:536). “Tu Jue” which means Turk of Göktürk was first mentioned in Tang Dynasty era history record called Zhou Shu. The name “Tu Jue” Turk also mentioned in, Bei Shi, Sui Shu, Tong Dian, Jiu Tang Shu, Xin Tang Shu, Tai Ping Xiang Yu Ji, Wen Xian Tong Kao, Si Yi Kao, Tong Zhi,I Bei Guo and Tang Hui Yao (Xue 1992:1). For the Ottoman name the first appearings was in Song Dynasty era. In Song Dynasty Historical records Ottoman Empire called “Lu Mei”,Yuan Dynasty named as “Lu Mu” and the Ming Dynasty named as “Lu Mi” or “Lu Mi Guo”. These names are all comes from the Chinese pronunciation of the word “Rum” or “Roma” which points out the Roman Empire. “Rum” or “Diyar-I Rum” was also commonly used by Ottomans to define their territories. (Ma 2007:70) Kang You Wei was the first Chinese scholar lived in 19th century and defined Ottoman Empire as the “Tu Jue” “The Göktürk or Türk Empire”. For that reason his views are so unique about defining the Ottoman Empire. From the beginning of 19th century in Chinese Language Ottoman Empire’s name widely used as “Tu Er Qi” which means “Turkey” even now the official name of Turkey in Chinese is still the same. In a geography book printed in 1848 called “Ying Huan Zhi Lue” there ten names used for Ottoman Empire. (Xu 1848: 447) Kang, using the word “Tu Jue” which was used in Tang Dynasty period for Turks was not a coincidence. Kang sees Ottoman Empire as the successor of the “Tu Jue” Göktürk Empire. He wrote a report for the emperor called “The Decline of Turks” makes important statements about the decline of Ottoman Empire. Kang stresses the Turks and Chinese have common ancestors according to Chinese historical records. “Turks ancestors’ are from the Huns’, Yin Dynasty and Chun Wei, we have common roots” (Tang 1981:298) Kang thinks that Turks and Chinese are coming from the same origin. After that Kang summarizes the period from Göktürk Empire to Ottoman Empire as follows: “Sui and Tang Dynasty period (Turks) controlled territories thousands of Li (kilometer) in the north (North China), before the Mongolians conquered the Central Asia. After defeated by Qi Dan’s they named the West Göktürk (Xi Tu Jue), and after they defeated by the Mongolians’ Timur, they came to Turkey. They attacked the East Rome and they settled in their great capital Constantinople. In this period they became a great empire, north they reached Russia, east Persia, South Africa, in the middle Greece, in Europe they conquered Black Sea including Romania, and they were powerful in Indian Ocean, they controlled all of the borders of Roman Empire, they controlled the East Europe. Middle of the Ming Dynasty era Suleiman the Sultan with his cavalry conquered all Europe. They reached the gates of Vienne but because of the heavy rain and the united armies of Europe they could not be successful otherwise they were about the swallow all of Europe. For the next centuries Europeans was always terrified by Turks. But in three centuries Europeans managed to find new techniques, Columbus reached to the American Continent, they reached brand new knowledge, after the Renaissance of Italy, Protestantism emerged, with the new materialist ideas of Descartes (in Chinese called Miao Ka Er) they produced new arts and products. Turks with the cannon and gun powder they have taken from the Mongolians had beaten Europeans and bring an end to the feudalism in Europe lived for long time, kings (of Europe) became more powerful, revolutions taken place and every country wrote its own constitution.” (Tang 1981: 298)
According to Kang You Wei Ottoman Empire such as China could not understand the developments taken place in Europe and became a backward society and state. Kang, resumes his thoughts about the superiority of Europe because of new ideas and new technologies and summarizes his approach as follows: “In previous century Europe was successful, new politics, new laws, new education, new products, erased the past and the old and influenced the globe, steam powered ships, railways, electricity, balloons made even the sky a space for exploiting. Europeans step foot on any place land and sea, Turks also remained their force but this developments of a century, Turks as the neighbor of Europe did not deeply understand the new era” (Tang 1981:299) According to Kang, backwardness of Ottoman Empire was because they did not fully understand the new developments in Europe. In this point of view Kang resumes China and Ottoman Empire has a similar process. Kang sees Midhat Pasha a very important figure of his time and praises the reforms made by him taken place in Ottoman Empire. Kang also sees Midhat Pasha as the founder of the Young Turk movement. In his report Kang called Midhat Pasha as “Xian Xiang” which means the “The Wise Grand Vizier” but actually in Chinese “Grand Vizier” can also be written as “Zai Xiang”. It can be seen in here that Kang praises Midhat Pasha as calling him the “Wise Grand Vizier” in his travel notes about Ottoman Empire called “Tu Jue You Ji”. (Kang 1908:50) Kang praises Midhat Pasha as follows: “In this period thanks to the genius Wise Grand Vizier Midhat Pasha, implemented a constitution, reforms taken place, established diplomatic relations with foreign countries, overcome the crisis country facing, and the people of the country was prosperous. As he promised, he managed to strengthen the army, in 20 years’ time brought (country) to the level of France and Germany, reached Austria and Italy.” (Tang 1981:299) Another important aspect of Kang’s report to the emperor is that Kang sees himself as Midhat Pasha in China. Kang stresses in his report after Midhat Pasha exiled Ottoman Empire quickly went into turmoil and the reforms has been implemented could not survive. Kang, implicitly warns emperor under the same circumstances China could face the same fate. But unfortunately his report to emperor, in three months’ time after the Coup D’état by empress Ci Xi he also had to flee to exile just like the Midhat Pasha. Kang, first went to Hong Kong and then traveled the world in exile for fourteen years. Kang describes the situation after Midhat Pasha’s exile as follows: “But then Sultan of the Turks sent Midhat Pasha to exile, he abolished the constitution and returned to the old order, in 20 years, Turks buried into darkness, and became as backward as some centuries.” (Tang 1981:299) Kang in his report to emperor underlines the similarities of China and Ottoman Empire. “Ottoman Empire has vast lands, just like us, roads are old and dusty, just like us, houses do not have running water, there is no drainage system, there are no electrical or gas lamps, no machine, just like our country, in whole country only a few railroads, telegram cable systems, transportation is in poor conditions, just like our country, the people only knows the past, beside reading Quran they have no idea about the new developments of the world, the ones among them graduated from schools are all in the same circumstances, there are no professionals, light, electricity, heavy industry, engineering, machine learning, maritime ship captainship, exams are the same with the ones in our country; people have no rights, they do not have a parliament nor in provinces neither in towns, just like our country, fiscal accounting system is in a big mess, people works like cows and horses, just like our country; courts interrupt frequently, prisoners are in miserable conditions, just like our country, English, Russian, French, Austrian, Italian ambassadors of these six countries controls the fiscal system of the country, and intervene in domestic issues, they increase their pressure day by day, and people of the country has no idea about new developments, just like our country.” (Tang 1981:299) Kang sees Ottoman Empire has many common with China. For that reason he assumes Ottoman Empire’s way of modernization can be a proper example for China, he also underlines without the modernization both countries fate will be the same. Kang sees both China and Ottoman Empire as the two old sick men of the east: “Book tells: as a result of the rule of universe, who is ruled by it will be happy and prosperous, whom do not obey the rules will be devastated for sure. Ottoman Empire and China is in the same situation, West Europe sees both as the sick men of the east, which one will die sooner is not clear yet. Today’s China and Ottoman Empire are in the same situation, China’s sickness is the same with Ottoman’s sickness.” (Tang 1981:299) At the end of his opinions about the reforms taken place in Ottoman Empire Kang You Wei urges emperor not to make the same mistakes with the Ottoman Empire: “Your majestys servant is reporting these events taken place in Ottoman Empire is that we have the same challenges here, this can be an appropriate example for our emperor, we must implement new laws and a constitution; by that way our sick man will step on his feet, (by not making the same mistakes) we can be different from the Turks. China would not be collapsed, her nation would not become slaves and our emperor can rule for many years” (Tang, 1981:299) Kang, offers emperor to implement new laws and a constitution just like Midhat Pasha did in the Ottoman Empire. Kang assumes the decline of Ottoman Empire because of the reforms was not continuous and if the same mistake taken place in China in his opinion China was going to have the same fate of Ottoman Empire. In 1898 when he gave this report to the emperor he had never been to Ottoman Empire. After his exile, he was going to have the opportunity to go to Ottoman Capital in 1908.
Kang You Wei’s thoughts after a hundred years passed now has become a reality for China. Today’s China has managed to open up, made many reforms within the last three decade since 1980’s. The Modernization Kang You Wei had been dreamed of has been a reality only after several main reforms such as Deng Xiao Ping’s “Gai Ge Kai Fang”, “Reform and Opening Up”. Especially after 2000 China also experienced a new way of Confucius Thought and a new wave of rethinking and reforming. Classical Chinese Thought can be solidly seen in the “Harmonious Society” and “Harmonious World” thoughts. China is trying to look back at her roots and trying to use this vast heritage in her new economic development, international relations and social order. By the beginning of 20th century many scholars like Kang You Wei advocated a need of reform in China. The establisher of the People’s Republic of China Mao Ze Dong also sees Kang and other reformist scholar as his forefathers. (Boorman 1966: 103-104)(Xu 2000: 82-83) Kang You Wei thinks that the Ottoman Empire and China has common roots. So that he advocates to implement similar reforms in China. After his exile, he traveled to United States, Great Britain, France and Germany and he published his travel notes on the “Bu Ren” Magazine. (Young 2008:38) In his exile years he also came to Ottoman Capital in the Second Constitution days in 1908. His awareness of Ottoman Empire goes back to 1880’s. So in his opinion Ottoman modernization experience can be a model for China. Kang just like Confucius has not been able to be successful in his life time. He shared the same fate with Confucius, his thoughts had emerged a new type of Confucianism. (Lü 2004:73-74) He is unique example of his era in China that knows the world and Ottoman Empire. His approach to Ottoman Empire is also unique. He uses the “Göktürk” “Tu Jue” word for Ottoman Empire which no one else has used for centuries. So we can see he knows the link between the Turks of 7th 8th century and Ottoman Empire which makes Ottoman and Qing China’s modernization experience a common was the exile of both Kang You Wei and Midhat Pasha. Kang’s writings about the Ottoman Empire give us really important source for Chinese thought of Ottoman Empire.
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Source: Chinese Intellectual Kang You Wei and Ottoman Modernization | giray fidan - Academia.edu
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Ottoman Empire and China located on the two sides of the Asian Continent and both were important power houses till the beginning of the 20th century. In many manners these two historical powers has many similarities they also faced same challenges during and after the West’s colonialism period. China, like the Ottoman Empire, beginning from the first quarter of the 19th century challenged the growing influence of Western Powers. And just like the Ottoman Empire in China also emerged modernization movements. These two historical powers trying to survive against the Western Powers; facing the indisputable superiority of Western Powers in military and industrial fields got into a new era of modernization of their values in both material and spiritual respectives. Kang You Wei was an important scholar, statesman and a revolutionary of his time. He had also close ties with the Qing Emperor. After the military failures and the growing influence of the West Kang was aware of a necessity of modernization in Chinese state and society. Kang was closely observing modernization movements around the globe analyzing them and writing to reports about them to the emperor. Kang, after the Coup D’état of Empress Ci Xi, was exiled and forced to live abroad for many years. In his exiled years Kang went to US, Canada, Europe and wrote many travel notes about these countries. He also came to the Ottoman Capital Istanbul in 1908 (Kang, 1995: 562).
Kang You Wei gives a great importance in to the constitutionalism (Meşrutiyet) and modernization movements. Apart from these Kang You Wei uses an interesting word for the Ottoman Empire. Kang, before 1923 which is the establishment date of the Republic of Turkey called Ottoman Empire as “Tu Jue” which was the first Turkish state (Göktürk in Turkish Language) mentioned in Chinese historical records (Dai, 2000:224). He also calls İstanbul as the “Tu Jing” which means “Capital of Turks” (Kang 1995:536). “Tu Jue” which means Turk of Göktürk was first mentioned in Tang Dynasty era history record called Zhou Shu. The name “Tu Jue” Turk also mentioned in, Bei Shi, Sui Shu, Tong Dian, Jiu Tang Shu, Xin Tang Shu, Tai Ping Xiang Yu Ji, Wen Xian Tong Kao, Si Yi Kao, Tong Zhi,I Bei Guo and Tang Hui Yao (Xue 1992:1). For the Ottoman name the first appearings was in Song Dynasty era. In Song Dynasty Historical records Ottoman Empire called “Lu Mei”,Yuan Dynasty named as “Lu Mu” and the Ming Dynasty named as “Lu Mi” or “Lu Mi Guo”. These names are all comes from the Chinese pronunciation of the word “Rum” or “Roma” which points out the Roman Empire. “Rum” or “Diyar-I Rum” was also commonly used by Ottomans to define their territories. (Ma 2007:70) Kang You Wei was the first Chinese scholar lived in 19th century and defined Ottoman Empire as the “Tu Jue” “The Göktürk or Türk Empire”. For that reason his views are so unique about defining the Ottoman Empire. From the beginning of 19th century in Chinese Language Ottoman Empire’s name widely used as “Tu Er Qi” which means “Turkey” even now the official name of Turkey in Chinese is still the same. In a geography book printed in 1848 called “Ying Huan Zhi Lue” there ten names used for Ottoman Empire. (Xu 1848: 447) Kang, using the word “Tu Jue” which was used in Tang Dynasty period for Turks was not a coincidence. Kang sees Ottoman Empire as the successor of the “Tu Jue” Göktürk Empire. He wrote a report for the emperor called “The Decline of Turks” makes important statements about the decline of Ottoman Empire. Kang stresses the Turks and Chinese have common ancestors according to Chinese historical records. “Turks ancestors’ are from the Huns’, Yin Dynasty and Chun Wei, we have common roots” (Tang 1981:298) Kang thinks that Turks and Chinese are coming from the same origin. After that Kang summarizes the period from Göktürk Empire to Ottoman Empire as follows: “Sui and Tang Dynasty period (Turks) controlled territories thousands of Li (kilometer) in the north (North China), before the Mongolians conquered the Central Asia. After defeated by Qi Dan’s they named the West Göktürk (Xi Tu Jue), and after they defeated by the Mongolians’ Timur, they came to Turkey. They attacked the East Rome and they settled in their great capital Constantinople. In this period they became a great empire, north they reached Russia, east Persia, South Africa, in the middle Greece, in Europe they conquered Black Sea including Romania, and they were powerful in Indian Ocean, they controlled all of the borders of Roman Empire, they controlled the East Europe. Middle of the Ming Dynasty era Suleiman the Sultan with his cavalry conquered all Europe. They reached the gates of Vienne but because of the heavy rain and the united armies of Europe they could not be successful otherwise they were about the swallow all of Europe. For the next centuries Europeans was always terrified by Turks. But in three centuries Europeans managed to find new techniques, Columbus reached to the American Continent, they reached brand new knowledge, after the Renaissance of Italy, Protestantism emerged, with the new materialist ideas of Descartes (in Chinese called Miao Ka Er) they produced new arts and products. Turks with the cannon and gun powder they have taken from the Mongolians had beaten Europeans and bring an end to the feudalism in Europe lived for long time, kings (of Europe) became more powerful, revolutions taken place and every country wrote its own constitution.” (Tang 1981: 298)
According to Kang You Wei Ottoman Empire such as China could not understand the developments taken place in Europe and became a backward society and state. Kang, resumes his thoughts about the superiority of Europe because of new ideas and new technologies and summarizes his approach as follows: “In previous century Europe was successful, new politics, new laws, new education, new products, erased the past and the old and influenced the globe, steam powered ships, railways, electricity, balloons made even the sky a space for exploiting. Europeans step foot on any place land and sea, Turks also remained their force but this developments of a century, Turks as the neighbor of Europe did not deeply understand the new era” (Tang 1981:299) According to Kang, backwardness of Ottoman Empire was because they did not fully understand the new developments in Europe. In this point of view Kang resumes China and Ottoman Empire has a similar process. Kang sees Midhat Pasha a very important figure of his time and praises the reforms made by him taken place in Ottoman Empire. Kang also sees Midhat Pasha as the founder of the Young Turk movement. In his report Kang called Midhat Pasha as “Xian Xiang” which means the “The Wise Grand Vizier” but actually in Chinese “Grand Vizier” can also be written as “Zai Xiang”. It can be seen in here that Kang praises Midhat Pasha as calling him the “Wise Grand Vizier” in his travel notes about Ottoman Empire called “Tu Jue You Ji”. (Kang 1908:50) Kang praises Midhat Pasha as follows: “In this period thanks to the genius Wise Grand Vizier Midhat Pasha, implemented a constitution, reforms taken place, established diplomatic relations with foreign countries, overcome the crisis country facing, and the people of the country was prosperous. As he promised, he managed to strengthen the army, in 20 years’ time brought (country) to the level of France and Germany, reached Austria and Italy.” (Tang 1981:299) Another important aspect of Kang’s report to the emperor is that Kang sees himself as Midhat Pasha in China. Kang stresses in his report after Midhat Pasha exiled Ottoman Empire quickly went into turmoil and the reforms has been implemented could not survive. Kang, implicitly warns emperor under the same circumstances China could face the same fate. But unfortunately his report to emperor, in three months’ time after the Coup D’état by empress Ci Xi he also had to flee to exile just like the Midhat Pasha. Kang, first went to Hong Kong and then traveled the world in exile for fourteen years. Kang describes the situation after Midhat Pasha’s exile as follows: “But then Sultan of the Turks sent Midhat Pasha to exile, he abolished the constitution and returned to the old order, in 20 years, Turks buried into darkness, and became as backward as some centuries.” (Tang 1981:299) Kang in his report to emperor underlines the similarities of China and Ottoman Empire. “Ottoman Empire has vast lands, just like us, roads are old and dusty, just like us, houses do not have running water, there is no drainage system, there are no electrical or gas lamps, no machine, just like our country, in whole country only a few railroads, telegram cable systems, transportation is in poor conditions, just like our country, the people only knows the past, beside reading Quran they have no idea about the new developments of the world, the ones among them graduated from schools are all in the same circumstances, there are no professionals, light, electricity, heavy industry, engineering, machine learning, maritime ship captainship, exams are the same with the ones in our country; people have no rights, they do not have a parliament nor in provinces neither in towns, just like our country, fiscal accounting system is in a big mess, people works like cows and horses, just like our country; courts interrupt frequently, prisoners are in miserable conditions, just like our country, English, Russian, French, Austrian, Italian ambassadors of these six countries controls the fiscal system of the country, and intervene in domestic issues, they increase their pressure day by day, and people of the country has no idea about new developments, just like our country.” (Tang 1981:299) Kang sees Ottoman Empire has many common with China. For that reason he assumes Ottoman Empire’s way of modernization can be a proper example for China, he also underlines without the modernization both countries fate will be the same. Kang sees both China and Ottoman Empire as the two old sick men of the east: “Book tells: as a result of the rule of universe, who is ruled by it will be happy and prosperous, whom do not obey the rules will be devastated for sure. Ottoman Empire and China is in the same situation, West Europe sees both as the sick men of the east, which one will die sooner is not clear yet. Today’s China and Ottoman Empire are in the same situation, China’s sickness is the same with Ottoman’s sickness.” (Tang 1981:299) At the end of his opinions about the reforms taken place in Ottoman Empire Kang You Wei urges emperor not to make the same mistakes with the Ottoman Empire: “Your majestys servant is reporting these events taken place in Ottoman Empire is that we have the same challenges here, this can be an appropriate example for our emperor, we must implement new laws and a constitution; by that way our sick man will step on his feet, (by not making the same mistakes) we can be different from the Turks. China would not be collapsed, her nation would not become slaves and our emperor can rule for many years” (Tang, 1981:299) Kang, offers emperor to implement new laws and a constitution just like Midhat Pasha did in the Ottoman Empire. Kang assumes the decline of Ottoman Empire because of the reforms was not continuous and if the same mistake taken place in China in his opinion China was going to have the same fate of Ottoman Empire. In 1898 when he gave this report to the emperor he had never been to Ottoman Empire. After his exile, he was going to have the opportunity to go to Ottoman Capital in 1908.
Kang You Wei’s thoughts after a hundred years passed now has become a reality for China. Today’s China has managed to open up, made many reforms within the last three decade since 1980’s. The Modernization Kang You Wei had been dreamed of has been a reality only after several main reforms such as Deng Xiao Ping’s “Gai Ge Kai Fang”, “Reform and Opening Up”. Especially after 2000 China also experienced a new way of Confucius Thought and a new wave of rethinking and reforming. Classical Chinese Thought can be solidly seen in the “Harmonious Society” and “Harmonious World” thoughts. China is trying to look back at her roots and trying to use this vast heritage in her new economic development, international relations and social order. By the beginning of 20th century many scholars like Kang You Wei advocated a need of reform in China. The establisher of the People’s Republic of China Mao Ze Dong also sees Kang and other reformist scholar as his forefathers. (Boorman 1966: 103-104)(Xu 2000: 82-83) Kang You Wei thinks that the Ottoman Empire and China has common roots. So that he advocates to implement similar reforms in China. After his exile, he traveled to United States, Great Britain, France and Germany and he published his travel notes on the “Bu Ren” Magazine. (Young 2008:38) In his exile years he also came to Ottoman Capital in the Second Constitution days in 1908. His awareness of Ottoman Empire goes back to 1880’s. So in his opinion Ottoman modernization experience can be a model for China. Kang just like Confucius has not been able to be successful in his life time. He shared the same fate with Confucius, his thoughts had emerged a new type of Confucianism. (Lü 2004:73-74) He is unique example of his era in China that knows the world and Ottoman Empire. His approach to Ottoman Empire is also unique. He uses the “Göktürk” “Tu Jue” word for Ottoman Empire which no one else has used for centuries. So we can see he knows the link between the Turks of 7th 8th century and Ottoman Empire which makes Ottoman and Qing China’s modernization experience a common was the exile of both Kang You Wei and Midhat Pasha. Kang’s writings about the Ottoman Empire give us really important source for Chinese thought of Ottoman Empire.
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Source: Chinese Intellectual Kang You Wei and Ottoman Modernization | giray fidan - Academia.edu
