Taizu of Ming

Taizu of Ming, also known as Zhu Yuanzhang, was the founder and first emperor of the Ming Dynasty in China (1368–1398). Originally a peasant and a Buddhist monk, he led a successful rebellion against the Yuan Dynasty (Mongol rule), unifying China under his rule. He reformed the government, strengthened the economy, and restored traditional Chinese culture. Taizu is known for consolidating power, establishing a centralized bureaucracy, and reinforcing legal codes. His leadership marked the end of Mongol dominance and the beginning of roughly three centuries of Ming rule, shaping China's history through both military conquest and administrative reform.