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Ma DuanlinA historian and encyclopedist in China during the Yuan Dynasty.
Country:
 China |
Content:
- Ma Duanlin: A Prominent Historian and Encyclopedist
- The Fall of Southern Song and Ma's Service to the Yuan Dynasty
- The Compilation of the "Wenxian Tongkao"
- The Scope and Significance of the "Wenxian Tongkao"
- Legacy and Reception
Ma Duanlin: A Prominent Historian and Encyclopedist
Early Life and EducationMa Duanlin was born into a renowned family in the Southern Song dynasty. His father, Ma Tingluan, was a highly esteemed official who served as the Right Prime Minister during the reign of Emperor Xianheng. Through his father, Ma Duanlin had access to a vast collection of historical documents.
Ma Duanlin studied under Cao Jin, a follower of the influential philosopher Zhu Xi. As a result of court intrigues, Ma's father was forced to retire from his post and return to their hometown. Ma Duanlin devoted himself to assisting his father during this time.
The Fall of Southern Song and Ma's Service to the Yuan Dynasty
In 1279, the Southern Song dynasty fell to the Mongol-led Yuan dynasty. After his father's death, Ma Duanlin received repeated invitations from the Yuan court to serve in government. He eventually accepted and held various academic positions.
The Compilation of the "Wenxian Tongkao"
Ma's most significant work is the monumental encyclopedia "Wenxian Tongkao," which consists of 348 volumes. He began compiling the encyclopedia in 1273 and completed it in 1317.
Inspired by the Tang dynasty encyclopedia "Tongdian," Ma Duanlin aimed to create a comprehensive compilation of the laws and decrees of previous dynasties. He meticulously gathered sources, including his father's personal collection, and meticulously cross-checked them to ensure accuracy.
The Scope and Significance of the "Wenxian Tongkao"
The "Wenxian Tongkao" encompasses China's political and administrative history up to the reign of Emperor Ningzong of the Southern Song dynasty (1224). It covers a wide range of topics, including land taxation, population registration, state monopolies, the examination system, and military affairs.
Notably, the encyclopedia contains an original section on foreign countries, which has been of particular interest to Western scholars.
Legacy and Reception
The "Wenxian Tongkao" was widely used and has been reprinted numerous times, including major editions in 1370, 1747, and 1921. It became one of China's most important encyclopedias, often published alongside the "Tongdian" and Zheng Qiao's "Tongzhi."
Despite Ma Duanlin's scholarly contributions, he was not included in the official historical records of the Song or Yuan dynasties. Only the later "Xin Yuan Shi," published in 1920, mentioned his name.
