Tomb of Jiang Yeguang

Tomb of Jiang Yeguang

The Tomb of Jiang Yeguang is a cultural relic protection unit of Jiangxi Province.

The “Tomb of Jiang Yeguang” is the final resting place of the patriotic Ming Dynasty hero Jiang Yeguang, who, 157 years ago, led his entire family of 32 members in a mass suicide by drowning after failing to resist enemy forces. The location of his grave had long remained a mystery. During the third national cultural relics survey, local heritage workers discovered Jiang Yeguang’s tomb east of Jiangjia Village in Xihu, finally solving the puzzle. The tomb is located approximately 30 meters to the front left of the ancestral shrine of the Jiang family, and the burial chamber remains largely intact. Excavation work is currently underway. It is reported that Jiang Yeguang was from Xihu Village, Tongtian. He passed the imperial examination and earned the title of Jinshi in the 47th year of the Wanli reign during the Ming Dynasty (1619). In the second year of the Shunzhi reign of the Qing Dynasty (1645), Jin Shenghuan, the Provincial Commander of Jiangxi, along with his general Wang Deren, initiated an anti-Qing uprising in Nanchang and invited Jiang Yeguang to Nanchang to bolster their cause. However, due to being outnumbered, on the 18th day of the first lunar month in the sixth year of the Shunzhi reign (1649), Nanchang fell to Qing forces. Deeply distressed, Jiang Yeguang wrote “Six Songs” and a final farewell poem, then led his entire family of 32 members in a mass suicide by drowning in an act of martyrdom. He was 66 years old at the time.

Jiang Yeguang

Minister of the Southern Ming Dynasty. A native of Xinjian, Jiangxi, in the late Ming period, he went by the courtesy name Juzhi and the pseudonym YANJI. He earned the title of Jinshi in the Wanli era. Selected as a Shujishi (imperial scholar), he was appointed as a Bianxiu (editorial compiler). In the sixth year of the Tianqi reign (1626), he was sent as an envoy to Korea and upon his return, submitted eight proposals beneficial to military and state affairs. Wei Zhongxian, considering him a member of the Donglin Party, dismissed him from office. At the beginning of the Chongzhen reign, he was reinstated as Youzhongyun, later rising through the ranks to become Zhan Shi and eventually taking charge of the Nanjing Hanlin Academy. Upon hearing of Emperor Chongzhen’s death, he discussed with Lü Dachi and others the enthronement of Prince Lu, but was opposed by Ma Shiying. During the reign of Emperor Fu (of the Southern Ming), he was appointed Minister of Rites and concurrently Grand Secretary of the Eastern Cabinet. He was distrusted by Ma Shiying, so he requested retirement. Later, when Jin Shenghuan rose against the Qing in Jiangxi, Jiang went to assist him. After the military defeat, he committed suicide by drowning in a pond. … More detailed information about Jiang Yeguang ++

Further Reading:

· Sixth Batch of Jiangxi Provincial Cultural Relics Protection Units