The Forbidden Forests: State Control and Local Conflicts around the Imperial Tombs in Ming Dynasty China

Abstract

Thirty miles from the Ming Dynasty’s (1368-1644) ruling center, the northwestern mountains near Beijing housed the imperial tombs and critical northern frontier sites. Due to their ritual and strategic importance, forests in this region remained under strict control throughout the dynasty. This thesis examines the conflicts between state-imposed logging restrictions and local demands for wood-based fuel against the backdrop of shrinking forest resources. It reveals officials’ active involvement in unauthorized logging, shedding light on the tensions among local authorities and their entanglement with broader factional struggles. Furthermore, it explores the relationship between forest preservation and national security, demonstrating how these forests served as both natural barriers against Mongol invaders and secret hideouts beyond the reach of imperial surveillance. By cross-referencing the Ming Veritable Records, local gazetteers, literati writings, and stone inscriptions, this thesis illustrates the flow of forest resources, illicit revenues, and imperial power around the imperial tomb site. It argues that the dense network of state institutions failed to eliminate persistent violations; instead, it produced a complex structure that enabled various actors to advance their own interests. Through a close examination of the political dynamics that shaped the forested landscape, this research provides insights into the agency of the environment, the practical operation of imperial power, and the making of local agency in Ming Dynasty China.