From Regional Stronghold to Imperial Capital

The story of Jiankang (modern Nanjing) as a capital city begins with the turbulent Three Kingdoms period. In 229 CE, Sun Quan of Eastern Wu declared himself emperor and established his capital at Jianye (later renamed Jiankang), strategically located along the Yangtze River. This marked the first of six successive dynasties that would make this city their seat of power over the next 360 years.

Sun Quan’s initial construction established the basic framework – a walled city approximately 20 li (6.5 miles) in circumference with the Taichu Palace at its core. The city’s layout reflected both practical military considerations and cosmological principles common to early Chinese urban planning. Subsequent rulers would expand this foundation dramatically.

The Southern Capital Rises

The next major phase came after the disastrous War of the Eight Princes (291-306 CE) and subsequent northern invasions that forced the Jin court to flee south. In 311 CE, Sima Rui reestablished the dynasty as Eastern Jin with Jiankang as capital. Initially using Sun Wu’s existing structures, major reconstruction began in 330 under Emperor Cheng, transforming Jiankang into a proper imperial capital.

The city developed a distinctive triple-walled structure:
– The outer enclosure (Guocheng) housing markets, temples and residences
– The middle enclosure (Huangcheng) containing government offices
– The innermost palace complex (Taicheng) with its magnificent halls

This period saw Jiankang emerge as the undisputed political and cultural center of southern China, preserving Han traditions while northern China fell under non-Han rule.

Architectural Innovations and Urban Design

Jiankang’s planners introduced several groundbreaking concepts in Chinese urban design. The outer city broke tradition by mixing residential, commercial and administrative functions rather than segregating them. The placement of ancestral temples in symmetrical positions east and west of the central axis was unprecedented.

The city’s 7.5 km central axis, running from the palace’s Grand Ultimate Hall through the main southern gates to the Qinhuai River, organized the entire urban plan. Along this spine stood Jiankang’s most impressive structures, including:

– The 12-bay (later 13-bay) Grand Ultimate Hall
– Twin watchtowers erected by Emperor Wu of Liang
– The magnificent Zhuque (Vermilion Bird) Gate complex

Archaeological finds reveal sophisticated infrastructure, including:
– 23-meter-wide boulevards with drainage systems
– Multi-phase defensive walls with moats
– Specialized administrative compounds

Buddhist Transformation of the Urban Landscape

Perhaps Jiankang’s most distinctive feature was its transformation into China’s first great Buddhist capital. From modest beginnings under Eastern Wu, Buddhist institutions proliferated dramatically:

– 400+ temples by Liang times (502-557 CE)
– Massive complexes like the Waguan Temple expanded through imperial decree
– The “480 Temples of the Southern Dynasties” became proverbial
– Hilltop monasteries like Dinglin Temple became intellectual centers

This religious landscape profoundly influenced city life, from daily rhythms to major festivals, while Buddhist architecture introduced new forms that would shape later Chinese cities.

The Capital’s Dramatic Fall

Jiankang’s golden age ended abruptly in 589 CE when Sui dynasty forces captured the city, toppling the Chen dynasty. Emperor Wen of Sui, seeking to break the city’s symbolic power, ordered:

– Systematic demolition of palaces and walls
– Plowing under of the imperial precincts
– Forced relocation of elites to the new capital Daxing

Within months, three centuries of accumulated grandeur lay in ruins. The once-mighty capital reverted to provincial status as Jiangzhou, its glory preserved only in memory and poetry.

Rediscovering a Lost Capital

Modern archaeology faces immense challenges in studying Jiankang:
– Nearly complete overlay by modern Nanjing
– Limited excavation opportunities in dense urban areas
– Scattered, fragmentary remains

Key discoveries since the 1990s include:
1. 1999-2000: Southern Dynasties altar complex on Zhongshan Mountain
2. 2001-2008: Palace-area walls and roads near Daxinggong
3. 2006: Brick inscriptions confirming Mingtang Hall location
4. 2002-2008: Multiple palace wall segments and moats

These finds, though partial, confirm Jiankang’s vast scale and sophisticated planning while raising new questions about its precise layout.

Jiankang’s Enduring Legacy

Though physically destroyed, Jiankang’s influence persisted:
– Architectural innovations influenced Sui-Tang capitals
– Southern cultural traditions shaped later Chinese elite culture
– Buddhist institutions established models for later dynasties
– Urban design concepts reappeared in later southern cities

Today, as scholars piece together Jiankang’s story through archaeology and texts, the city emerges as both a preserver of tradition and an innovator – a crucible where northern refugee elites and southern native cultures merged to create something new. Its 360-year history as capital represents one of China’s most creative yet least understood urban experiments, whose legacy continues to unfold through ongoing discoveries.