Stele Inscriptions at the Imperial Examination Hall

Stele Inscriptions at the Examination Hall

The stele inscriptions at the Examination Hall are designated as a Cultural Relics Protection Unit of Jiangsu Province.

The Jiangnan Imperial Examination Hall currently houses 22 surviving stone steles, mainly recording praises of the hall by emperors, ministers, and notable figures. Among them, there are six from the Ming Dynasty, fifteen from the Qing Dynasty, and one from the Republican era. These include the stele inscribed by Emperor Kangxi, the stele of Tie Bao, Viceroy of Liangjiang, and the stele commemorating the reconstruction and expansion of the examination hall. They serve as physical materials for studying the historical evolution of the imperial examination halls in the Ming and Qing Dynasties and the imperial examination system.

Carved stones from the Ming, Qing, and Republican periods. Located in the stele corridor on both sides of the Mingyuan Tower at the Jiangnan Imperial Examination Hall Historical Exhibition Hall, No. 1 Jinling Road, Confucius Temple. These are relics of the Ming and Qing imperial examination site, the Jiangnan Imperial Examination Hall. There are 22 steles in total, including six from the Ming Dynasty, fifteen from the Qing Dynasty, and one from the Republican era. Their content mainly covers the history of the Jiangnan Examination Hall, records of expansions and renovations over various dynasties, and the names of chief examiners. The most precious is Emperor Kangxi’s imperial calligraphy titled “Lament on Examinations,” which reads: “Talent should be justly selected, the royal way should not be altered. Seeking profit brings many complaints, favoritism breeds ill repute. Esteemed are the teachings of Lian and Luo, revered are the models admired by scholars. Should you ask of my life’s affairs, I still cherish the name after death.” Other notable steles include the poetic inscription by Tie Bao, Viceroy of Liangjiang, and the stele commemorating the reconstruction and expansion of the examination hall.

Further Reading:

· Third Batch of Cultural Relics Protection Units of Jiangsu Province