Tan Sitong
2022-05-24
His book Ren Xue (Theory of Benevolence), which was considered to be the first philosophical work of the Reformists, occupies an important place in modern Chinese thought.
Tan Sitong devoted himself to the Qing Dynasty’s reformation and advocated that China should develop its national industry and commerce and learn the political system of western countries to become strong and prosperous. He was the most radical among the Reformists and put forward a series of ideas, such as abolishing imperial examinations, establishing schools and factories, construction of railways, and the reform of the official system.
In 1898, he founded an academy called South Academy to cultivate Reformists. Later this year, Tan led the Hundred Days of Reform, during which he assisted Emperor Guangxu in enacting reform policies. However, the reformation failed and Tan Sitong was executed at the age of 33.
Despite the failure of the reformation and Tan’s execution, the reformation not only spread the new bourgeois culture and ideas but also criticized the old feudal culture and ideas. Pointing out the corruption and darkness of the Qing Dynasty, Tan’s spirit of self-sacrifice has set up an immortal monument for the people.
The former residence of Tan Sitong, also known as Tai Fu Tai Mansion and Liuyang Guild Hall, is located in Liuyang City, Changsha City. The residence was built in the late Ming Dynasty, covering an area of about 10,000 square meters. The brick-wood mansion faces north east and has two siheyuan-style courtyards with a garden in the east and pavilions at both sides.
Tan Sitong devoted himself to the Qing Dynasty’s reformation and advocated that China should develop its national industry and commerce and learn the political system of western countries to become strong and prosperous. He was the most radical among the Reformists and put forward a series of ideas, such as abolishing imperial examinations, establishing schools and factories, construction of railways, and the reform of the official system.
In 1898, he founded an academy called South Academy to cultivate Reformists. Later this year, Tan led the Hundred Days of Reform, during which he assisted Emperor Guangxu in enacting reform policies. However, the reformation failed and Tan Sitong was executed at the age of 33.
Despite the failure of the reformation and Tan’s execution, the reformation not only spread the new bourgeois culture and ideas but also criticized the old feudal culture and ideas. Pointing out the corruption and darkness of the Qing Dynasty, Tan’s spirit of self-sacrifice has set up an immortal monument for the people.
The former residence of Tan Sitong, also known as Tai Fu Tai Mansion and Liuyang Guild Hall, is located in Liuyang City, Changsha City. The residence was built in the late Ming Dynasty, covering an area of about 10,000 square meters. The brick-wood mansion faces north east and has two siheyuan-style courtyards with a garden in the east and pavilions at both sides.
The unique sculptures on its walls and carvings on gates and lattice windows are rare in southern areas and suit its orderly layout and spacious courtyards.
The residence was rated as a key cultural relic unit under national protection.
The residence was rated as a key cultural relic unit under national protection.
