VIETNAM ( SERIES -48 )
DISEASES, DISASTERS AND REBELLIONS DURING EMPEROR MING MANG
To political scientist SAMUEL POPKIN , out of the total population of around eight million people of VIETNAM, millions of people could have been perished, but as per royal tax register, 206,835 tax payers were removed from the register in 1820 due to the outbreak of the first cholera pandemic in the country . It shows the intensity and impact of disease in VIETNAM during Emperor MING MANG period . The first cholera outbreak , also known as ASIATIC CHOLERA , began near the city of CALCUTTA (NOW KOLKATA) , INDIA in 1817 and spread throughout SOUTH ASIA , SOUTH-EAST ASIA , MIDDLE-EAST , EASTERN AFRICA and the MEDITERRANEAN COAST , killing millions of people . In July 1820 , the outbreak touched VIETNAM . In 1824 , the transmission of the disease ended due to the anti-cholera program initiated in 1823 by a GERMAN physician called Dr. REHMANN . Similarly , about 200 rebellions were recorded during the twenty-year reign of Emperor MING MANG . Despite ongoing intra-turmoil in VIETNAM, he exhibited his admiration for CONFUCIANISM and classical CHINESE culture openly . He continued his father’s national policies of reorganizing the administrative structure of the government . The construction of highways , a postal service , warehouses for food security and other agrarian reforms were carried on . He also redistributed land and forbade farmers to sell the alloted land , so that the wealthy people could be prevented from purchasing their lands . In 1440 , it decreed that rich landowners had to return a third of their holdings to the community . He also centralized the administration . For recruiting mandarins , he introduced the definition of three levels of performance in the triennial examinations . To bring about stability in the country , he introduced a program of salaries and pensions for princes and mandarins , and in this way the traditional system of assignment of fief states to princes and mandarins were abolished .
EMPEROR MING MANG FOR WESTERN TECHNOLOGIES
Although he disagreed with the EUROPEAN culture and thinking , yet he studied it closely . Emperor MING MANG was keen in western technologies . He introduced western mechanics , weaponry and navigation into VIETNAM . When he heard of the vaccination against smallpox , he called a FRENCH doctor to live in his palatial residence and to vaccinate the royal family against the disease . He was the master of the Eastern Philosophy . So, he was regarded as intellectually oriented monarch . He was an excellent poet . He was also known for the micromanagement of the state affairs . And when Emperor MING MANG died 20th January 1841 , his son THIEU TRI was enthroned as the Emperor of VIETNAM . He was the eldest son of Emperor MING MANG whose personal name was NGUYEN PHUC MIEN TONG . He ruled the country from 14th February 1841 until his death on 4th November 1847 . Emperor THIEU TRI was much like his father in governance of the country . He carried on his conservative policies of isolationism and CONFUCIANISM . Though highly educated in the CONFUCIAN tradition , Emperor THIEU TRI was quite curious about the west like his father . But also like his father , he was quite suspicious about all the NON-VIETNAMESE and outsiders . On the other hand , the FRENCH were busy in the colonial race with the GREAT BRITAIN . So, they were strongly inclined towards INDOCHINA including VIETNAM . Emperor THIEU TRI , when started imprisoning missionaries , FRANCE sent a military expedition to INDOCHINA to protect and defend FRENCH interests . Now it was difficult to reconcile with a peaceful relationship with FRANCE . In 1845 , clash between VIETNAM and the AMERICAN warship USS CONSTITUTION took place, which forced the former to free the missionary DOMINIQUE LEFEBVRE , who had visited VIETNAM many times illegally to preach the people of VIETNAM about CHRISTIANITY . The FRENCH task-force reached TOURANE ( A COASTAL CITY OF VIETNAM ) on 23rd March 1847 , and demanded the safety of FRENCH nationals . They also asked Emperor THIEU TRI to cease the prosecution of missionaries . It was the Imperial mandarins of VIETNAM which put off the Emperor’s reply and the war broke out . The FRENCH forces easily defeated the VIETNAMESE forces . And all the VIETNAMESE coastal forts were destroyed . On the other hand , Emperor THIEU TRI called all missionaries enemy spies and demanded that all CHRISTIANS should executed on spot . But again the VIETNAMESE mandarins didn’t put this order into effect . Emperor THIEU TRI died shortly after that . And no missionaries were actually ever executed during his reign .
NOTE : THE SOURCES OF THE BLOG ARE TEXT BOOKS AND OTHER WRITTEN MATERIALS ON THE SUBJECT .
TO BE CONTINUED …………………..
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ARBIND KUMAR BLOG 
During the Ming Mang period of Vietnam first cholera outbreak and it spread to Kolkata also. He did many good things like pension, three levels of performance etc. And he also called the French doctor for vaccination. Great history.🙏🙏
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Actually cholera broke out in Calcutta and spread to the entire INDO-CHINA , and South-East ASIA including VIETNAM . Thanks !
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