Asian history is as vast as the continent itself and as diverse as the countries and people who inhabit the largest landmass in the world. Because of the enormity and diversity of the subject, the 22 countries making up what geographers term Monsoon Asia will be my focus. Each has a rich and unique culture and history.
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Asian History
Apr 14, 2002
East Meets West - Matteo Ricci
This is the first part of what will be an ongoing series of articles exploring early contacts between the Eastern world and the Western world.
Matteo Ricci, a Jesuit priest, was the first missionary to China to make much of an impact, though the legacy he left had much more to ...
Feb 28, 2002
Wu Zetian : China's Only Empress
The only empress in all of China's history broke with a Confucian tradition which not only believed that women should not rule, but that they belonged in the home. Wu Zetian gained her position with cunning and ruthlessness and then went on to be a very good ruler. Find out how
...Jan 31, 2002
The Top Ten
Take a trip through the top ten most popular articles here in Oriental History.
Dec 31, 2001
The Land of the Thunder Dragon: Bhutan
Take a brief virtual tour of Bhutan, known to its inhabitants as the Land of the Thunder Dragon.
Nov 30, 2001
The Legendary Gurkha Soldiers
Learn about the famed Gurkha soldiers from Nepal who have served and fought so well for the British over the years. With a reputation for toughness, it is no wonder that legends have sprung up around these skilled men.
Oct 31, 2001
The Kot Massacre
The Kot Massacre was a pivotal event in Nepalese history, paving the way in one bloody night for Jang Bahadur to become prime minister and "dictator" of Nepal. Find out here how it happened.
Sep 30, 2001
Timeline of Ancient Nepal
Ancient Nepal is somewhat shrouded in mystery. Discover some of the important people and events in its far past and view some images of this beautiful land.
Aug 1, 2001
The Roots of Education in Japan - Part 2
A comparison between the Meiji Restoration and the American Occupation and the effects of both eras on the educational system of Japan. Includes a look at "examination hell."
Jul 1, 2001
The Roots of Education in Japan
A comparison between the Meiji Restoration and the American Occupation and the effects of both eras on the educational system of Japan.
Jun 1, 2001
Biographies: China's Movers and Shakers
Biographical fact sheets for three political powerhouses in China's very recent past and present: Li Peng, Zhu Rongji, and Jiang Zemin.
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Asian History
The Meiji Era and the Modernization of Japan...Part 1 (13 msgs)
Term Papers and Essay Tests (7 msgs)
The Meiji Era and the Modernization of Japan...Part 2 (4 msgs)
Wu Zetian : China's Only Empress (3 msgs)
takeda shingen (1 msgs)
The Great Wall of China (17 msgs)
Happy June 27 Birthday, Maria! (2 msgs)
World's First Novelist: Lady Murasaki Shikibu (4 msgs)
The Top Ten (2 msgs)
The First Opium War (8 msgs)
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