Song dynasty

史The dynasty

The Song dynasty is increasingly recognised by historians of technology and economics as one of the most innovative societies in pre-industrial human history. Population doubled from c. 50 million to over 100 million; cities the size of Kaifeng and later Hangzhou exceeded a million inhabitants; iron production reached levels not matched in Europe until the 18th century.

The four great Chinese inventions — gunpowder, the magnetic compass, paper, and printing — were either invented or perfected during the Song. Paper money was issued by the imperial treasury for the first time in human history. Movable-type printing was invented by Bi Sheng. Civilian-led government replaced the warrior aristocracy of the Tang. The Confucian examination system became the dominant route to office; the Neo-Confucian synthesis of Zhu Xi defined orthodox Chinese philosophy until the 20th century.

The Northern Song fell to the Jurchen Jin in 1127; the dynasty regrouped at Hangzhou as the Southern Song, presiding over an even wealthier maritime trading economy until the Mongol conquest of 1279.