The Imperial examinations in Imperial China determined who among the population would be permitted to enter the state's bureaucracy. The Imperial Examination System in China lasted for 1300 years, from its founding during the Sui Dynasty in 605 to its abolition near the end of the Qing Dynasty in 1905.
Early Methods of Official Selection
The celebrity that Jiang Ziya achieved 3,000 years ago lives on, simply in his being regarded as the patron saint of human resources. King Wen first appointed Jiang Ziya state tutor and later prime minister in charge of both civilian and military affairs. Jiang assisted King Wen, and later his son King Wu, in their establishment of the Zhou Dynasty (11th century -256 BC), which ruled for 800 years. China was a slave society during the Shang and Zhou dynasties. Officials, in common with emperors, inherited their exalted positions rather than being appointed on merit. Jiang Ziya, as a talented commoner that rose to prominence within the nation’s ruling organ, was the first exception to this convention. Jiang’s appointment signaled a positive change in approach to the selection of court officials. It was not until the late third century BC of the Han Dynasty that specific rules for the selection of officials were institutionalized.
In the Han Dynasty (206BC-220AD) the local administration would select people to take part in administrative affairs according to their merit concerning such factors as honesty, filial devotion and justice. Later the Nine Rank Judging System was applied in the Wei Jin Dynasties (220-420) to recommend the talents to serve the government. The latter innovation, however, gave rise to selections that were made on a purely subjective basis. Nepotism and bribery were consequently rife and only candidates from privileged family backgrounds were appointed to high-ranking posts.
The latter innovation, however, gave rise to selections that were made on a purely subjective basis. Nepotism and bribery were consequently rife and only candidates from privileged family backgrounds were appointed to high-ranking posts. This situation changed for the better in the Sui Dynasty (581-618). It was then that the imperial examination system came into force.
Development & Vagaries
In the Sui Dynasty, Emperor Yangdi initiated an imperial examination system in 606AD, which was called the Keju System.
This system was further developed in the Tang Dynasty (618-907AD). In the Song Dynasty (960-1279AD) the emperors attached more importance on the examination. They personally presided over the examination and even divided the successful candidates into three groups and conferred them titles. The emperor would announce the names in order of their scores and bestow them a banquet. All the successful candidates would have a post. The person who got the highest score would be granted the title of Zhuangyuan, who was entitled to enjoy favorable benefits and high honors. Therefore most intellectuals took the imperial examination as the only access to official rank and glory.
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