Documents in National Palace Museum, Qing dynasty (1644-1911)

Welcome to the National Palace Museum's collection of documents from the Qing dynasty! This collection includes a variety of different documents, from Archives in Old Manchu to Tripitaka in Tibetan and Manchu, Palace Memorials, Manuscripts and Packets from the Historiography Institute, Map of Taiwan and Illustration of Victory: Archives of the Grand Council. These documents provide us with an insight into the culture and history of the Qing dynasty, and are an important part of Chinese heritage. Come explore these incredible artifacts today!

1. Archives in Old Manchu

The Manchu language was created in order to solve the need to transmit written messages and make government records.

2. Archives of the Diary-keeper

The "Ch'i-chu chu" (Diary-keeper) was an official in imperial China whose duty was to record the daily actions and sayings of the emperor into what was known as the "Archives of the Diary-keeper." This system has ancient origins in China, extending as far as

3. Tripitaka in Tibetan / Tripitaka in Manchu

The Kanjur Tripitaka is a collection of Buddhist scriptures that has been translated into Tibetan. It is a crucial source of historical material. The sutra leaves are arranged in order and decorated with the Eight Auspicious Symbols. The boards include an inner and an outer pair.

4. Palace Memorials

During the early Qing dynasty, documents were drafted and submitted to the court in the same way as during the Ming dynasty. However, starting from the middle of the Kangxi Emperor's reign, the memorial system was revamped.

5. Manuscripts and Packets from the Historiography Institute

The Historiography Institute was established at the Chinese court in 1690 in order to compile official histories. In 1914, after the establishment of the Republic of China, a new Historiography Institute was set up on the premises of the former one.

6. Map of Taiwan

The Map of Taiwan is a long and thin map that was made between 1756 and 1759. It is very pretty, with bright colors and a landscape painting style. It is also very valuable, because it shows how the government offices, local government seats, and administrative areas were divided back then.

7. Illustration of Victory: Archives of the Grand Council

The "Illustration of Victory:Archives of the Grand Council" is a painting that depicts the course of pacifying rebellions led by Dawats and Amursana, as well as those led by Bulanidun and Hojijan.