In 1402, the Yongle Emperor seized the throne and began building the Forbidden City
The ascension of the Yongle Emperor in 1402 transformed China forever, leading to the construction of the legendary Forbidden City and the launch of massive naval expeditions across the Indian Ocean.
In 1402, Zhu Di claimed the throne after a brutal three-year civil war against his own nephew. Taking the era name 'Yongle,' meaning 'Perpetual Happiness,' he moved the capital from Nanjing to Beijing. To solidify his power, he commissioned the construction of the Forbidden City, a massive palace complex that served as the heart of Chinese government for five centuries.
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