Chinese Turban Rebellions

[@Courtesyyy]

I learned the Yellow Turban Rebellion by playing Total War Three Kingdoms and the red by Reading a chinese history. But others i didnt knew great video!

[@BygoneChina]

Thanks for your comment, I am really happy that you learnt some Chinese history through this video! Also, hopefully in the future Creative Assembly will do a game which covers some of the other rebellions I discussed in the video.

[@ryushikiyama9123]

Just found your channel. And wow, your content is great! Your vids give a perfect introduction to imperial Chinese history. These rebellions have always been the reckonings for the various imperial dynasties. But what I find interesting from your take is that you look specifically into the social aspects of these rebellions from the grab they adopt. I understand this video is meant to cover the conventional rebellions over the course of imperial Chinese history, but I think you could really carve a niche if you'd do the less discussed rebellions. The Ispah (亦思巴奚兵亂) imo would be a really cool one you could check out. Tons of potential for a clickbaity title but certainly with the material to match it. Again, great stuff. Looking forward to more videos!

[@BygoneChina]

Thank you for the great feedback, the Ispah rebellion is a really good suggestion! After I have completed some of the other projects that I have planned, I will look at doing a video on the Ispah. I might also combine it with some of the other islamic rebellions throughout Chinese history to explore the commonalities in their origins, how they were dealt with by the authorities, and their legacies. Thanks again for your feedback, and welcome to Bygone China!

[@resistanceremembered]

Nice informative video like always on Chinese history! Really enjoyed the video!

[@BygoneChina]

Thanks for the positive feedback!

[@resistanceremembered]

@@BygoneChina No problem! Also really liked the different color turbans that you wore haha!

[@greyghost3390]

Great video, also very informative and educational. Thank you, subscribing now!

[@BygoneChina]

Thank you for the positive comment, and welcome to the channel!

[@AnyDayNow360]

Thank you for this video. I am learning quite a bit and find your channel very helpful and not dry when informing us. Subbed and looking forward to learning more!

[@BygoneChina]

Thank you for the support, its really appreciated!

[@toms7619]

I like how you linked all the rebellions together.

[@BygoneChina]

Thanks, I tried to show the often overlooked linkages between these various rebellions.

[@maddogbasil]

Chinese after a couple centuries of sovereign rule *"Okay boys get your turbans,we got another round"*

[@BygoneChina]

You pretty much summed up the last 2,000 years of Chinese revolutions!

[@justinianthegreat1444]

Roman Generals every decade: centuries? Boys it's another decade, time for a new emperor!

[@CharlieLiuPhotography]

To add to this, the White Lotus group then became Wo Hop To and became one of the current day triads, so they've never actually ended. The group then continued from CHina/Hong Kong into California.

[@xz4377]

Interesting video. But I would say in the early 19th century Qing dynasty was very far from bankrupt, even after the Bailianjiao Rebellion. Otherwise it would not last for another 100 years after paying all the war compensations to England (three times), France (twice), US, Japan (twice), German, Russia, Italy, and Austria-Hungary while lost 1/4 of its territories. The dynasties that went bankrupt in the end were Ming dynasty (due to the silver inflow), and Republic of China (because literally nothing left after the anti-Japan war in WWII and KMT chose the wrong side during 1948 US election). Turban was actually very practical in agricultural area, because it protected the peasants from the sunlight, and in the mean time could be used as a towel to remove sweat. The rebellions mentioned in your video are officially categorized as 'peasant rebellions', because they were started by peasant class. It is understandable that they could not afford a uniform, or were not civilized to design a flag, so turban may be just a casual choice.

[@BygoneChina]

Thanks for your comment, you have made many really great points! I would add that although you are right that many peasant rebels adopted the turban because it was convenient and familiar to them, several historians have also shown that for a large proportion of the rebels the choice to wear a turban of a particular colour (and not just any colour) carrier great significance and meaning for them. For example, in 'Worshipers and Warriors' by Elizabeth Perry, she explains how the Nian and the White Lotus Rebellions chose to wear the turban as a means of identifying with the earlier Red Turban Rebellion.

[@xz4377]

​@@BygoneChina I agree. The color is a symbolism of identification. I guess the earliest Huangjinjun Rebellion chose the color yellow might because yellow is a traditional empire color. Hongjinjun chose red because red meant conquer and success in Chinese culture. Normally white turban meant this guy lost his close relatives, like parents or grand parents. It was a unlucky color. Even nowadays Chinese parents do not allow the kids to wear a whole white suit when visiting grand parents because it would look like a funeral. I understand that Bailianjiao was exotic because it related to Buddhism, but I really doubt that they would wear a white turban, at least at the beginning, I mean before Tang dynasty, when Chinese started to trade officially with Persia. I've read somewhere that bailianjiao had persia blood after Mogolia time. Since it is normal for arabic nations to wear white, maybe the white turban began much late

[@MrPolarbear59]

How do you wrap that turban? What shape is the cloth?

[@thegoonisgood77]

thanks mate, looking for ideas for naming possible future DAOs... a daoist rebellion themed decentralised autonomous organisation...

[@thegoonisgood77]

start to get used to the blockchain, before i end up in an eastern bloc chain gang...

[@thegoonisgood77]

red turban incorporated society with principles of reverse proper ganders...

[@BygoneChina]

Interesting, maybe you could use the name White Lotus? They were Daoist rebels who had a decentralised structure.

[@hafizuddinmohdilias273]

I know about yellow turban rebellion from dynasty warriors series

[@BygoneChina]

Yeah, I think that series helped a lot of people find out about the Yellow Turbans.

[@frankmartinez4856]

You look Cool 😊in your turban! According to the Martial history! Chu(Zhu) family(Gar), established the Hakkas martial arts! I think 😮

[@elainelee2491]

Interesting.....I never knew Chinese wore turbans in the past.

[@BygoneChina]

It's interesting right! Wearing a coloured turban is a common thread connecting many insurrection movements throughout Chinese history.

[@rachelshengjie7847]

Wow, that’s a very interesting topic about Chinese history. It seems sort of cycling dynasty of the peasants society. The underground organization alongside several thousands years.

[@BygoneChina]

Yes indeed, Chinese history has a remarkable cyclical nature! Many of the major dynasties also survived for a similar time frame, with a similar rise and fall cycle followed by each.

[@rachelshengjie7847]

@@BygoneChina As far as I concerned, it’s about 3 factors: productivity, population and economic conditions of government. When these three lost balance badly,the rebellion was on

[@BygoneChina]

Good points! I'd also add one more - the competency of the ruling Dynasty. When the central government was strong and wise, the civilization was prosperous and flourishing. But when the government was weak, corrupt and unjust, the dynasty began to crumble and rebellions emerged.

[@rachelshengjie7847]

@@BygoneChina The thing is why the central government always from strong wise to corrupt weak?

[@johnl.7754]

Interesting

[@BygoneChina]

I am glad that you found the video interesting. Are there any other topics which you would like to see covered?

[@johnl.7754]

@@BygoneChina Only know the basics of Chinese history even though I’m a American Born Chinese. So whatever you think is most interesting then I’ll be watching.

[@chanceyang9455]

Bro you forgot to mention the Miao/Hmong Rebellion of Hunan, Sichuan and Guizhou.

[@BygoneChina]

Good point, that would have been an interesting rebellion to cover also! I was was actually planning to a separate video on that rebellion at one point, although haven't managed to get round to it yet.

[@goodstuff8156]

I’m surprised red turbans haven’t seen a comeback in Hong Kong

[@tayyabiftikhar4757]

Please make a video on uyghar Muslims

[@derekkase7884]

Red hats or toques or red beanies were worn by rebels in the French revolution

[@BygoneChina]

Good point, there are some similarities there with the turban rebels in China.

[@Jon-cd4rq]

turkic chinese also wear turbans

[@BygoneChina]

That's true, although they wear Turbans for a reason other than rebellion.

[@xz4377]

Actually until 30 years ago almost every women in north China wore turbans in winter because of the frequently happened sandstorms. Those in NW China wore turbans all year around, regardless of the religion, because NW China is very dry and local people did not have access to tap watter. They could only afford a bath or hair wash before major festivals or their wedding day. Another reason may be that China was not commercialized until 1980s, and the cloth, turbans, hats etc. were all hand maded. To make a turban requires less skills than a hat obviously. After 1980s China reopened its door to the world, and after that turbans are somehow associated with religion, so those who wear turbans are now mostly muslim women. Not only turkic ethics, also Hui ethic (they were from Arab area 800 years ago and have been mixed with local Han people), and Tajik etc.