Jiankang

Jiankang (建康) was the name of the capital city of the Eastern Wu, Jin, and Southern dynasties of China, from 229 to 589 CE. Located near present-day Nanjing, Jiangsu province, it was a strategically important location on the south bank of the Yangtze River.

Initially established as Moling (秣陵) under the Qin dynasty, the name was changed several times before being renamed Jiankang by Sun Quan, the founder of Eastern Wu, when he moved his capital there. It served as the capital for the Eastern Wu (229-280), the Eastern Jin (317-420), the Liu Song (420-479), the Southern Qi (479-502), the Liang (502-557), and the Chen (557-589) dynasties. This period is often referred to as the Six Dynasties period.

Jiankang was a major economic, cultural, and political center during its time as a capital. It flourished due to its access to the Yangtze River, facilitating trade and transportation. The city was known for its Buddhist temples and monasteries, its vibrant intellectual life, and its refined court culture. The successive dynasties built and expanded upon the city, adding to its grandeur and complexity.

The Sui dynasty conquered the Chen dynasty in 589, ending the era of the Southern Dynasties and the importance of Jiankang as a capital. The city was largely destroyed and rebuilt under the name Jiangzhou (蒋州) and later renamed Jinling (金陵). While it lost its status as the nation's capital, the area retained its historical significance and continued to be an important urban center. Its legacy lives on through archaeological remains and historical records, providing valuable insights into Chinese history and culture.