"FORBIDDEN CITY" : IMPERIAL MAGNIFICENCE
(By Subbaram Danda)
The term “Forbidden City” conjures up visions of a mysterious and eerie place with no access to it for outsiders. It kindles the curiosity of everyone to know who its residents are and what transpires inside. In reality, it is a vast palace complex, where generations of Chinese emperors lived in ostentation and ruled their large country. Commoners were not allowed inside and hence the name. But they held it in high esteem, as they regarded the emperor as the Son of Heaven.
The “Forbidden City,” located on a sprawling 180-acre site at the center of Beijing, is composed of a string of palaces, about 900 other buildings, large courtyards, terraces, pavilions and gardens. Collectively known as the Imperial Palace, it was the seat of power for as many as 24 emperors belonging to the Ming and Qing dynasties from 1420 AD. It has been a museum since 1925.
Now, all people, including foreigners, can visit the complex, saunter round the enormous area and savour the ancient Chinese imperial delights. Situated immediately to the north of the well-known Tiananmen Square, it is rectangular in shape and is surrounded by a massive wall of fortification 30 feet in height and a moat 165 feet in width. It is “the largest palace complex in the world.”
Incredible job
How the construction materials were moved to the site is incredibly fascinating. To transport large blocks of stone from a suburb of Beijing in sub-zero conditions, engineers created a long icy path by pouring water on frozen soil and a large number of horses pulled them forward. Wood posed even more problems. Felled giant trees had to wait till torrential rains came to get washed into rivers, where boatmen took over. In the construction, which lasted about 15 years, more than a million workers were involved.
Hall of Supreme Harmony
Of great significance in the complex are six major palace buildings, popularly known as halls, which stand majestically one behind the other. The first three near the main entrance close to the Tiananman Square constitute what is called the Outer Court, while the other three the Inner Court. It is from the Outer Court that the emperor discharged his kingly duties. In the Inner Court the emperor lived with his family in all pomp and luxury.
The front building in the Outer Court called the Hall of Supreme Harmony served as the venue for grand ceremonies like coronations, royal weddings, birthdays and festivals. The emperor also held his court there.
Described as the “most spectacular of all the palace buildings,” it stands on top of a vast three-tier raised marble platform with balustrades all around displaying dragon and phoenix motifs, symbols of the emperor and the empress. It is the highest structure in the complex at 100 feet in height. It has a double-layer wood-supported roof of glazed tiles with the figures of eleven mythical animals on its upturned eaves -- a sign of the highest social order of the king.
Golden throne
Inside there are many pillars, of which the central six are gilded with figures of dragons coiling around them. The rest are painted in red. The ceiling is ornate with intricate art work. At the centre of the hall is a Ming-dynasty-made golden throne. A gilded screen behind adds to the opulence of the ambience.
The Ming dynasty golden throne
Standing in front of the hall a man can transport himself to a dream world, where he can visualize the magical scene of an emperor entering the hall with his entourage amidst royal trappings. A guide narrated with élan: “When the emperor sets himself on the throne, his ministers, nobles and officials kneel down and chant in chorus “Long live, Your Majesty.” Fragrant smoke from incense burners curls up, bells chime, drums beat and crackers burst. Then the court begins.”
Mistresses and eunuchs
Among the Inner Court halls, the Palace of Heavenly Purity is remarkable, though it has been designed to be less prominent than the Hall of Supreme Harmony. This served as the living palace for many emperors and their families. It is said that the emperors, being highly conscious of their personal security, changed rooms of their stay every night! There are buildings in the complex for hundreds of mistresses of the emperor, his relatives and numerous eunuchs.
It is claimed that the complex is studded with one million treasure pieces. Separate halls have been earmarked for artifacts and royal collections. In one hall there are about 200 antique clocks, including a “water-operated clock.” Personal effects of the kings are also on display.
At strategic points a visitor can see large-sized bronze statues of animals like lions, elephants, cranes and turtles, and huge incense burners, which have a significant place in the Chinese culture. As a fire-prevention measure, over 300 large vats have been positioned to hold water at different points in the complex. And behind all the buildings, there is an Imperial Garden with many old pines, cypresses and rare trees, besides various flower plants and lawns.
The “Forbidden City” attracts about 8 million visitors a year. According to UNESCO, which accorded it the World Heritage status in 1987, the complex “can be called a masterpiece in Chinese, even world, architectural history.”
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