The Great Empires of Asia

Asian empires led the world economically, scientifically and culturally for hundreds of years, and posed a constant challenge to the countries of Europe. How and why did those empires gain such power, and lose it? What legacies did they leave?

This major book brings together a team of distinguished historians and 200 illustrations to survey seven great Asian empires that rose and fell between 800 CE and the mid-20th century: the Mongol Empire, Ming Dynasty of China, Khmer Empire, Ottoman Empire, Safavid Empire of Persia, Mughal Empire of India and the Meiji Restoration in Japan. Splendidly illustrated and compellingly written, The Great Empires of Asia shows how those seven empires played a key role in forming today’s global civilization – and how, with the renewed ascendancy of Asia, their legacies will help shape the continent’s future.

Table of Contents

Introduction: The Distinctiveness of Asian Empires • 1. Central Asia: The Mongols 1206–1405 • 2. China: The Ming 1368–1644 • 3. South East Asia: The Khmer 802–1566 • 4. Asia Minor and Beyond: The Ottomans 1281–1922 • 5. Persia: The Safavids 1501–1722 • 6. India: The Mughals 1526–1868 • 7. Japan: The Meiji Restoration 1868–1945