The Ming Dynasty (1368–1644) and Its Non-Han Military Auxiliaries

Abstract

War is as much an exercise in building relations as breaking enemies. Relation building inevitably involves transfer—whether it is movement of people, exchange of goods, formation of social ties, or change of identity. This article focuses on efforts by the Ming dynasty (1368–1644) to secure skilled fighters from among populations that it viewed as distinct from the Chinese (or Han) majority but still integral parts of the polity. Contemporaries understood that alliances were indispensable for securing diverse sources of military labor, and they invested considerable political, economic, and cultural capital to build and maintain those relationships. The resulting exchanges, which included people, animals, textiles, gowns, silver, and more, were an essential feature of dynastic rule, a defining element of newly incorporated subjects, and an integral dimension of indigenous power.